DA LaHood begins Pre-Trial Diversion program

'Restorative Justice' designed to help first-time, low-level offenders

SAN ANTONIO – Pre-Trial Diversion is a program designed to do exactly what the name implies. Instead of going to trial for an offense, first-time offenders can apply for the program. 

Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas "Nico" LaHood explained that the program is similar to probation except that it comes on the front end of a criminal case instead of coming as the result of a court appearance.

"It requires intensive screening that includes letters of recommendation, a long application and (a) close look at the details of each case," LaHood said. "But in the end, the blessing is that they're going to have a clean record."

LaHood said that, for now, the program is available only to offenders in misdemeanor cases but that he may make exceptions.

"I'm open-minded to low-level drug offenses," he said. "Prostitution, on the misdemeanor side, is available under this program."

LaHood said there are two misdemeanors, DWI and family violence cases, that will never be available under the Pre-Trial Diversion program.

This is the first full week that the program is available and LaHood said that the list of applicants is growing fast.


About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.