Cook County State's Attorney Launches Program with Treatment Services for some Misdemeanor Offenders

Cook County State's Attorney launches program with treatment services for some misdemeanor offenders

Cook County State's Attorney Eileen Burke has launched a new program aimed at helping certain low-level, nonviolent misdemeanor offenders access services in exchange for having charges dismissed.

People charged with drug crimes, shoplifting have a new path to avoid a conviction in Cook County – Chicago Sun-Times

Prosecutors will start allowing defendants in certain low-level cases to complete programming in exchange for having their charges dropped. A form of diversion programming for misdemeanor cases existed prior to the pandemic but fell through the cracks when the courts moved online, according to Emily Cole, who oversees the state’s attorney’s Alternative Prosecution and Sentencing Unit.

Cook County begins deferring some misdemeanors to community court, services

CHICAGO — The Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) announced that they're expanding deferred prosecution to misdemeanor cases. According to the office, they will refer "low-level, nonviolent" misdemeanor cases to Restorative Justice Community Courts (RJCCs) and two other diversion tracks. The veterans track is for people eligible for services through Jesse Brown Va. The other [...]

People charged with drug crimes, shoplifting have a new path to avoid a conviction in Cook County

<p>People charged with drug crimes, shoplifting and other nonviolent misdemeanors can now avoid a criminal conviction under a new program being touted by Cook County prosecutors.</p><p>This week, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office will start allowing defendants in certain low-level cases to complete programming in exchange for having their charges dropped.</p><p>“By providing services to address challenges such as substance abuse or menta…