Is The County’s Diversion Services Addressing The Needs Of Juveniles?

By Gordon HopkinsJefferson County Attorney Joseph Casson would like to see some changes regarding how the county’s Diversion Services program deals with juveniles.When Peggy Galloway, director of Jefferson County’s Diversion Services, announced her retirement last month. Casson recommended taking the opportunity to reevaluate the program. County commissioner chairperson Mark Schoenrock concurred. He said at that time, “I think it’s probably a good opportunity for us to do what I would characterize as a cost benefit analysis.” A diversion program is a voluntary program that offers a chance for a person charged with certain crimes to avoid having a criminal conviction on their record. Jefferson County offers diversion services for both adults and juveniles. Jefferson County’s Diversion Program first began in 2019. Prior to that, diversion services were provided through an inter-local agreement between Jefferson County and Seward County, which expired June 30, 2019. Serving JuvenilesWhile diversion is currently available for both adults and juveniles, the current approach may not be serving younger citizens in the best ways possible. At a meeting of county commissioners on Tuesday, October 21, Casson said, “I think we’re leaning more toward going back to the origins of what the diversion program was designed for, which was juveniles.”Part of the problem, as Casson explained, is that by the time most juveniles reach the court system, they are often “too far gone” for diversion to be of value.“I think we need to work with the sheriff’s office to, I shouldn’t say find cases, but report cases that we could possibly divert. Because what I think we’re seeing is a lot of, the juveniles that we’re dealing with are not really eligible or proper for diversion. They’re too far past that. And we have to figure out some way to catch them sooner.” However, Casson also emphasized that diversion cannot help kids until there is a criminal case, “You have to have a prosecutable case. If there’s a problem with the case, an evidentiary problem, you can’t put it into diversion. It has to be a case you would and could prosecute. And so, that’s where I think we need to work with the sheriff’s office, because we are maybe passing on cases that that could be prosecutable.”Casson pointed out, “The officers have discretion, and I encourage the sheriff’s office to do what I think their main mission is, (which) is to keep the peace and that they exercise their discretion in not bringing somebody into the court system if it can handle them another way. But I’m not sure that’s serving us well with juveniles. So, we’ll have to sit down with the sheriff and see how they view their side of that situation.”Despite these hurdles, Casson is optimistic about revamping of the program, “I think we’re making progress.” Impending Budgets CutsThe county’s Diversion Service program has worked hand-in-hand with the Attendance Support program. Heather Watson, Attendance Support Director, is currently doing double duty managing both programs.Casson said, “And for the time being, Heather is covering the diversion cases we have, and we’re still taking a few in that are not complicated cases. So that we can keep the program going.”Commissioner Mark Schoenrock expressed concern about the additional workload, “She’s got an awful lot on her plate, and so we’re concerned about that, you know, we don’t want to have her get burned out.Casson noted that Watson is likely not the only county employee facing an increased workload. “Well, one of the things that I guess we’re all going to have to look at if we’re going to have budget cuts in the future, the expectation is we do more with less. And so, that’s the new normal,” said Casson. “If we’re going to have to cut, the cuts are going to have to come from employees, I think. And so, I think we just have to get ready for what the future.” Despite the shadow of impending budget cuts in the future, Commissioner Schoenrock believes Attendance Support should be a priority, “That is a very important program. I have spoken with all of our superintendents in both counties that she works with, and all of them very much appreciate that service she’s providing. I think it’s making a difference for an awful lot of young men and young women, for families who try to keep these kids in school.”Casson said, “For whatever it’s worth, the new budget law, which is what you’re having to deal with to stay within, contains exceptions for law enforcement. So, theoretically, we wouldn’t be bound by that limitation, but I think that our office and law enforcement have to be respectful of the other offices, and so I think we’re going to have to take the hit just like they are.”

City Council Examines Funding Options For Water System Upgrades

PWF Bridge Construction Set To Begin In November

Related Articles

Albert Scherbarth

City Votes To Move Forward With Water Treatment Plant

State Receiving Over $7 Million In Grants For Waste Reduction

Bridal Expo