What pretrial diversion or drug court programs exist in Illinois?
Illinois has codified its specialty courts in dedicated Treatment Court Acts.
1. Pretrial Intervention / Diversion (DA-Run). Cook County's Deferred Prosecution Program (DPP) and many county "second chance" programs offer 6-12 months of supervision leading to dismissal. State's Attorneys have broad discretion under 55 ILCS 5/3-9005.
2. Statutory Deferred Adjudication / Judicial Diversion. 730 ILCS 5/5-6-3.3 authorizes Offender Initiative Program: non-violent, first-time Class 3 or 4 felony defendants enter 12-24 months of supervision; charges dismissed. 720 ILCS 570/410 provides "first offender" probation for low-level drug possession resulting in dismissal and expungement.
3. Drug Court. Drug Court Treatment Act, 730 ILCS 166/, requires every Illinois circuit to operate a drug court (or planning committee). Both pre-plea and post-plea tracks.
4. Veterans Treatment Court. Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, 730 ILCS 167/, authorizes veterans courts statewide.
5. Mental Health Court. Mental Health Court Treatment Act, 730 ILCS 168/, authorizes mental-health courts.
6. DUI Court. Authorized under 730 ILCS 166/; many counties run hybrid DUI/drug court; ignition interlock under 625 ILCS 5/6-205.
7. Youthful Offender / TASC. 20 ILCS 301/40-5 (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) allows election of treatment instead of prosecution for addicted defendants. Juvenile expungement under 705 ILCS 405/5-915.
8. First-Time-Offender Statute. Section 410 (drugs), § 710 (cannabis, 720 ILCS 550/10), and § 5-6-3.3 lead to dismissal and expungement under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.
9. Effects. Completion dismisses charges and supports expungement/sealing under the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2). Federal records persist until sealed.
10. Federal Pretrial Diversion. 18 U.S.C. § 3154; NDIL/CDIL/SDIL operate limited PTD.
This is legal information, not legal advice.
- You face a Class 3/4 felony and may qualify for Offender Initiative under 730 ILCS 5/5-6-3.3
- You have addiction and want to elect TASC treatment under 20 ILCS 301/40-5
- You need § 410 dismissal and expungement after first-time drug possession
- 20 ILCS 301/40-5
- 730 ILCS 166/
- 730 ILCS 167/
- 730 ILCS 168/
- 720 ILCS 570/410
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.