Legal System Programs
A FEW STATS from last year
142 adults were referred to CRJ’s Court Diversion Program and had their charges expunged upon successful completion.
91 individuals were assisted to get their driver’s license reinstated and in CRJ’s Civil DLS Program.
56 people who were supported through CRJ’s Pretrial Services Program to connect them to substance use, mental health, and other community support services while awaiting court case resolution.
Learn more about the range of legal system programs and services offered by BCRJ below.
See our Community Programs for information on:
We also offer legal system programs for youth under the age of 18:
Court Diversion for Adult & Youth
Court Diversion is a community-based alternative to the formal court process and gives an offender a chance to make amends to those who have been affected by their actions. Restorative justice panels hold offenders accountable to victims and the community. Court Diversion is a confidential and voluntary program that results in the offender’s record being sealed upon successful completion of the program.
Learn more about the Court Diversion Process
Civil DLS Diversion Program
This Diversion Program is designed to help people regain their driver’s license while they pay off their fines and fees. Participants work with a CRJ case manager to develop a contract and payment plan that is presented to the Vermont Judicial Bureau (VJB) for review and approval. Some people may be eligible for a reduction in their debt, and some may provide community service and/or participate in an educational program in exchange for a reduction in fines and fees owed. Upon successful completion of their contract, an individual’s prior suspensions are removed from their record.
Adult Restorative Programs
Reparative Probation Program is a program offered to adults through Criminal Court as a condition of their probation. Restorative justice panels run by trained volunteers, provide an offender the opportunity to take responsibility for his/her actions and repair the harm caused to victims and communities. Offenders who participate in this program must accept responsibility for their role in the crime that was committed.
Direct Referral Reparative Program is offered to offenders convicted in criminal court, but are not placed on probation. Participants meet with a restorative justice panel to discuss the impact of their crime and develop a contract that helps make amends to their victim and community. Only those offenders who take responsibility for their crime qualify for the program.
Community Reentry Program
The Reentry Program provides intensive case management services to help individuals who are returning to the community from incarceration. Providing support to individuals who are struggling to reintegrate into the community is the key to their success. Areas case managers focus on include housing, employment, pro-social leisure activities, transportation, connection to community resources and mentoring.
Circle of Support and Accountability (CoSA)
Guided by CRJ’s reentry coordinator, a team of trained community volunteers help support individuals returning to the community from incarceration meet the challenges of everyday living and learn ways to become a productive, contributing member of the community. In addition to supporting the individual to successfully reintegrate into the community, volunteers help guide the offender to make amends to those impacted.
DRIVe - Driving Responsibly in Vermont
DRIVe is designed to teach about the human consequences of unsafe, impaired, and/or distracted driving. Participants learn about how unsafe driving affects them, their family and community members. They learn about how decision points relate to driving, and external and internal factors influence motivation for change.
Pre-trial Services
Individuals cited or arrested in Bennington County for eligible misdemeanor or felony charges may volunteer to be screened by CRJ’s Pretrial Coordinator prior to their first appearance in court. Individuals have the right to speak with a lawyer first. The Pretrial Coordinator offers participants three confidential screenings focusing on mental health, substance use, and risk of non-appearance or threat to public safety. The specific details of the assessments will not be shared with the prosecutor or the court. The Court and State’s Attorney (prosecutor) may review a summary of the results, if the client gives their consent. This information may be used to recommend a case for pre-charge programming, monitoring support or for determining bail or conditions of release.
Treatment Diversion Program (aka Tamarack)
Similar to the traditional Court Diversion Program, a person who successfully completes this program will have their charges dismissed. This is a voluntary, restorative justice program where the person accepts responsibility for violating the law, takes steps to repair the harm caused to others and be willing to engage in recommended treatment or counseling.
Mediation Services
Working through a difficult conversation can be frustrating, especially when communication has broken down and two parties just cannot see eye to eye. CRJ has several certified mediators on staff who can help. There is a fee for the service, however, a sliding fee scale is available.
Expungement Petition Assistance
Under certain circumstances, a person may be able to have their criminal conviction or charge expunged. This opportunity is only available for qualifying crimes. Some crimes, such as violent offenses and most felonies are not eligible.
CRJ has staff trained to help people navigate the process of filing a petition with the court to have their records expunged. CRJ’s service is offered at no cost.
If you would like help to file a petition to have your record expunged, or would like more information, contact CRJ and we would be happy to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Legal System Programs
Q: How is Court Diversion different from traditional criminal justice services?
A: Court Diversion is a community-based, restorative justice program. In order to participate in the program, offenders must accept responsibility for violating the law and acknowledge his/her actions. Offenders then meet with a Diversion Board which is made up of community volunteers.
Q: Will I have a criminal record if I participate in Court Diversion?
A: Individuals who successfully complete the diversion program will have his/her charges dismissed and their records will be permanently sealed after two years (provided they do not get into any further trouble with the law.)
Q: What is the difference between JRP, Reparative Board and Court Diversion?
A: Court Diversion is offered as an alternative to traditional court proceedings. The decision of who is referred to Court Diversion is the decision of the State’s Attorney and is offered as an alternative before a person is adjudicated in court. JRP is ordered by a family court judge to youth who have been adjudicated in family court. Reparative Board is ordered by Criminal Court as a condition of probation. Only the Court Diversion program results in charges being dismissed upon successful completion.
Q: Are CRJ programs confidential?
A: All CRJ programs are confidential programs. Information will not be released without the individual’s permission except for failure to complete a program, then only the required parts of the program will be disclosed such as notification to the court, State’s Attorney or Judicial Bureau of failure.
Q: Who will be at my restorative board or panel?
A: Trained community volunteers sit on restorative boards and panels. In the event of a conflict of interest, a volunteer will remove him/herself from that panel meeting.
Q. How many people will be at my restorative board or panel meeting?
A. Generally, between 3-5 community volunteers will be present.
Q. How long will the restorative board or panel meetings last?
A. Generally meetings last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Q: What does a restorative contract usually include?
A: While every contract is individualized for each client, typical contracts include Letters of Apology to the victim, restitution (money paid back for damages done/property not returned), and community service. Contracts may also include Research Papers, special projects, Reflective Papers, or participation in an educational or treatment program.
Q: Can I have input in creating my contract?
A: Absolutely! In order for a contract to be meaningful to you and your situation, your thoughtful, reflective input is needed. You will be asked to complete a Reflective Form prior to attending your restorative meeting. At your meeting with the board or panel, you will be asked to share your input from the reflective form regarding what you feel you should do to make amends and what skills you need to learn in order to make better choices in the future.
Q: Where can I do community service?
A: CRJ has a list of Bennington area suggested agencies/programs you can contact to try to set up your community service. However, please be advised that this is not an exclusive list. Community service can take place at a variety of places in the community such as schools, churches, elderly housing, childrens’ programs, etc. The only thing we require is that community service be done with a not-for-profit group/agency. We want you to complete your community service at a place where you feel you can make a difference and where you can benefit from the experience as well.
You will need to submit a Time Sheet to your CRJ case manager signed by the supervisor at your community service site verifying your completion of community service hours.
Q. How long will I be given to complete my contract requirements?
A. Our trained volunteers will give you a reasonable amount of time to complete your contract obligations. The responsibility is yours to make sure you complete all aspects of your contract on time.
Q: Does it cost anything to attend CRJ’s programs?
A: There are fees for some CRJ’s Programs:
Diversion - District Court – Misdemeanor: $175
Diversion - District Court– Felony: $175.
YSASP: $175
DRIVe: $50 per class
Direct Referrals - Criminal Court: $175
Various aspects of contract conditions may require you to pay a fee, such as seeking counseling or an assessment. All other CRJ programs are free of charge.
Q: What if I do not have all the money to pay my fees?
A: CRJ is very willing to work out alternative payment plans with individual clients. CRJ case managers will be happy to work with clients to work out plans that fit individuals’ ability to pay.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. CRJ accepts credit cards, money orders, and bank checks. Personal checks are not accepted.
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