PAR is an O.C.G.A. § 15-18-80, Pretrial Intervention and Diversion Program. It is an alternative to prosecution for eligible offenders in the Superior Courts of the Dublin Judicial Circuit. Participation occurs prior to adjudication, and successful completion of the program results in dismissal, or nolle prosequi, of the participant’s charge.
Standing for Post-Arrest Redirect, PAR aims to guide each participant in the direction away from
crime, and toward a suitable, satisfying, and sustainable lifestyle with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Program administrators focus on the specific needs of the individual to identify foundational problems that need attention to release the accused from a life compromised by criminal conduct, which is often the byproduct of social, economic, mental health or substance abuse problems. Aspire! is not a do-nothing fix-all for those facing criminal charges. Those with the good fortune of being accepted will be held accountable for continued drug use, dishonesty, criminal activity, and failures to do as instructed, returning to active prosecution to face possible loss of freedom and
a socially and economically debilitating criminal record. Those who seize the opportunities, however, will maintain a clean criminal record and leave the program with a newfound network of support to help them continue along the path to self-sufficiency, positive community contribution, and social responsibility.
Reducing crime by promoting social responsibility.
For the participant, successful completion means:
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Case dismissal, including restriction of the criminal record to the extent allowed by law. For those facing felony charges, this result is a tremendous opportunity to avoid a felony sentence, costly and encumbering probation supervision and the social stigma that having a felony record can cause.
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Therapeutic counseling, such as anger management or substance abuse, relevant to the criminal allegations.
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Vocational or Educational advancement, as gainful employment or active enrollment in school is a standard program condition, with all participants expected to obtain gainful employment within thirty days of acceptance.
For the community, successful completion means:
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Payment of restitution in full and on an expedited timeline than if the case had proceeded down the standard prosecution pathway.
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Volunteer labor for local government, non-profits, schools and churches because for those participants unable to pay the program fee, they will be allowed to exchange $10/hour of community service for that fee.
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Reduction in labor shortages by participants who are required to obtain employment within the first thirty days of acceptance as a condition of the program.
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Reduction in crime because completion of the program will strengthen the foundation of each participant by networking solutions for the individual, forging relationships that will hopefully motivate participants to genuine want to do better, and by sparing the accused a felony sentence or conviction, a designation which substantially encumbers the freedom and future prospects for the individual.
At the sole discretion of the District Attorney or his designee, the program accepts youthful offenders and low risk offenders.
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A decision by a defendant to participate in PAR must be made freely and voluntarily and should be made with the advice of counsel.
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Participation will occur prior to adjudication, and successful completion of the program will result in dismissal, or nolle prosequi, of the participant’s charge.
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Eligible defendants approved to participate in the program will enter into a written agreement. The agreement will set forth the terms and specific conditions of participation, including the amount of the program fee, which shall vary by participant based upon the charges. The specifics of the fee standards are addressed later in this guide.
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Participants in PAR will be supervised by the PAR Director or his designee for a specified length of time. Participants must meet the conditions of the agreement and the program (as explained by the PAR Director or his designee during orientation) to successfully complete the program.
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Applicants may withdraw their application or withdraw from the program at any time.
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Violation of, failure to abide by, or failure to complete the terms of the executed PAR Agreement shall result in removal from the program. The criminal case of a participant who withdraws their application or withdraws from the program or is removed from the program will return to the traditional criminal prosecution process.
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Any monies paid during participation in the program, including application and administrative fees and restitution payments are non-refundable and shall not be returned to the participant who withdraws or is removed from the program.
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Upon separation from the program, the PAR Director or his designee shall send the ADA in charge of the case a written evaluation of the defendant’s performance, or lack, thereof, outlining any achievements, failures or other matters of note, which will be considered by the ADA in negotiating a sentencing resolution.