What pretrial diversion or drug court programs exist in Louisiana?
Louisiana relies on Code of Criminal Procedure arts. 893/894 for judicial deferral and specialty courts under Title 13.
1. Pretrial Intervention / Diversion (DA-Run). La. C.Cr.P. art. 698 et seq. authorize DA pretrial diversion; supervision typically 6-24 months; completion = no charge or dismissal. Each parish DA sets policies.
2. Statutory Deferred Adjudication / Judicial Diversion. La. C.Cr.P. art. 893 lets the court suspend sentence and place felon on probation for first felony; under art. 893(E), court may defer and ultimately set aside conviction. Art. 894 covers misdemeanors; deferred plea results in set-aside and dismissal.
3. Drug Court. La. R.S. 13:5301 to 5304 establish Drug Division Probation Program (drug court); statewide; both pre-plea and post-plea tracks; LSC Drug Court Office certifies.
4. Veterans Treatment Court. La. R.S. 13:5366; veterans courts in Orleans, Jefferson, Caddo, others.
5. Behavioral Health Court (Mental Health Court). La. R.S. 13:5371 to 5374 authorize behavioral health courts; coordinates with LDH/OBH.
6. Sobriety / DWI Court. Part of Drug Division Probation Program; ignition interlock under La. R.S. 32:378.2.
7. Youthful Offender. Juveniles under Children's Code; Article 893.1 (first-time youthful offender under 21) allows deferred sentence and expungement.
8. First-Time-Offender Statute. Expungement under La. C.Cr.P. art. 971 to 995; art. 893 and 894 dismissals are expungeable. La. R.S. 40:983 provides conditional discharge for first-time drug offenders.
9. Effects. Art. 893/894 completions = dismissal and expungement eligibility. Federal databases persist.
10. Federal Pretrial Diversion. 18 U.S.C. § 3154; EDLA, MDLA, WDLA operate PTD.
This is legal information, not legal advice.
- You face a first felony and want art. 893 deferred sentence with set-aside
- You need entry into the Drug Division Probation Program under La. R.S. 13:5301
- You qualify for expungement under La. C.Cr.P. art. 977 after completing diversion
- La. C.Cr.P. art. 698
- La. C.Cr.P. art. 893
- La. C.Cr.P. art. 894
- La. R.S. 13:5301
- La. R.S. 40:983
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.