Diversion programs have been a long-standing practice of the Dakota County Attorney's Office. When a case is presented to our office by law enforcement, the case is reviewed to determine whether it qualifies for diversion. Our prosecutors consider circumstances surrounding the offense, criminal history and more.

If the case does not qualify for a diversion program, it will be prosecuted in either adult or juvenile court.

For more information, contact the Dakota County Attorney's Office at 651-438-4438 or attorney@co.dakota.mn.us.​

Juvenile Programs

Youth Accountability Programs

• Alcohol & Cannabis Level 1 – An alternative to Juvenile Court for first-time offenders.
• Misdemeanor Property Offenses – An alternative to Juvenile Court for first-time offenders.
• Gross Misdemeanor and Felony Property Offenses – An  alternative to Juvenile Court for first time offenders.

Peer Court

Firesetter Education 

Targeted Accountability Program for Sexual Behavior

Disord​erly Conduct

Adult Programs

Community Accountability Program (CAP) - Adult​ Property Offenders

Treatmen​t Courts

​Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

​Treatment courts are specialized court programs that provide an alternative to traditional prosecution for people with substance use or mental health disorders. Instead of jail time, treatment courts offer court-supervised, long-term treatment and rehabilitation programming.

Veterans Tr​​eatment Court

This specialized court for active military and veterans in the criminal justice system that offers treatment options instead of jail or prison time.

Those who qualify for the program are required to attend all court hearings and comply with individualized treatment plans. On average, it takes most 12 to 24 months to complete the program.

Those who successfully complete the program receive a more favorable resolution of their case that may include dismissal of charges at the conclusion of probation.

For more information, visit the Veterans Services webpage.

Other treatment c​ourts

Other treatment courts are offered in Dakota County including Adult Drug Court, Juvenile Drug Court and Family Dependency Treatment Court. For more information about treatment courts, visit the Minnesota Jud​icial Branch website. 

Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

CAP is for first-time adult offenders who have committed low-level property offenses. Value of stolen or damaged property must be less than $5,000.

Qualifying offenses may include theft, issuance of a dishonored check, criminal damage to property, trespassing, forgery, financial transaction card fraud, motor vehicle tampering, possession of stolen property and more.

How it w​orks

To be considered for the program, the offender must:

• Provide the factual basis of the crime committed.
• Pay restitution to victims if they incurred a monetary loss.
• Participate in a four-hour course about property crimes, complete 40 hours of community work service and pay program fees.
• Complete all program requirements and remain law abiding. Failure to do so, criminal charges will be reinstated by the Dakota County Attorney's Office. The factual basis may be admissible as evidence in the criminal case.

Program be​nefits

An opportunity for first-time property offenders to change behaviors and prevent future criminal activity.

If the program is completed successfully, the case is dismissed and no further action will be taken.

Other adult diversion programs are available in Dakota County such as Early Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Driver Diversion Program and drug diversion.

For more information, contact the Dakota County Attorney's Office attorney@co.dakota.mn.us or 651-438-4438​.

​Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

The Targeted Accountability Program (TAP) for Sexual Behavior is an alternative to juvenile court.

How​​ it works

TAP is a collaboration of the County Attorney's Office and Community Corrections who decide what evaluations are required and the conditions the juvenile must be complete. 

Conditions may include:

• An evaluation by a licensed therapist or counselor — mental health, psychosexual, psychiatric and/or chemical dependency.
• Create a re-offense prevention plan.
• Participate in therapy — individual, family or group.
• Complete a polygraph exam.
• Refrain from viewing pornography.
• Pay restitution to the victim.
• Complete an apology to the victim, as directed.
• Comply with identification requirements (fingerprinting).
• Comply with unsupervised contact restrictions with specific people or populations.
• Limit the use of social media or electronic devices.
• Participate in meetings with a probation officer.

Progra​m benefits

The juvenile may receive treatment and supervision similar to what is ordered for those who are charged through juvenile court, but without a juvenile court record.

The juvenile will have a​ better understanding about the impact of their behavior.

After the program is successfully completed, the case is closed and no further action will be taken.  ​

​​

Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

​

​The Disorderly Conduct Youth Accountability Program is an alternative to juvenile court. Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor that may include fighting, disturbing an assembly or meeting, boisterous or excessive noise, or offensive, obscene or abusive language.

How it wo​rks 

The juvenile is required to:

• ​Attend an online diversion course about encouraging positive behavior and supporting community values. At least one parent or guardian must attend with the child.
• Complete four hours of community w​ork service.
• Pay the victim restitution if they incurred a monetary loss. Restitution must be less than $100.

All requirements of the program must be completed within six months from enrollment. Failure to do so may result in termination of the program and the filing of a citation or petition in juvenile court.

If the juvenile has already completed a Youth Accountability Program (other than Alcohol & Cannabis of Misdemeanor Property Offense) or failed to complete an earlier program, they are not eligible for the program.

Program ben​efits

The juvenile will learn the importance of respecting others, how to resolve disagreements without using violence and will have a better understanding about the impact of their behavior.

After the program is successfully completed, the case is closed and no further action will be taken.  

Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

How​​ it works

Peer Court is under the supervision of a judge and includes high school peers who serve as jurors, observers and court bailiffs.

Student jurors listen to a statement about the offense the juvenile committed. The juvenile may also provide their own personal account of the offense. Both the jurors and the judge may ask questions about the incident.

After questioning, the jury is excused to deliberate and agree on dispositional recommendations. The jurors present their dispositional recommendations to the judge who makes the final decision. A Peer Court order is then signed by the judge, juvenile and a parent or guardian.

Disposition conditions ordered may include:

• Attend alcohol or drug education class or counseling
• Attend school regularly
• Complete community work service
• No possession of weapons
• No use of alcohol or illegal drugs
• Obey curfew times
• Obtain employment
• Participate as a juror in Peer Court
• Pay restitution
• Refrain from negative peer relationships
• Remain law abiding
• Write a letter of apology or participate in victim-offender mediation
• Write an essay as directed
• Other conditions recommended by the Peer Court jury or judge

All ordered conditions must be completed within four months of the signed court order. Failure to do so may result in termination of the program and the filing of a petition in juvenile court.

Peer Court is held during the school year and at a school where the juvenile does not attend.

Progra​​m benefits

The juvenile and peer participants will learn about the juvenile justice system through a hands-on experience.

A better understanding about the impact of their behavior.

After the program is successfully completed, the case is closed and no further action will be taken. 

​Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

The Firesetter Education Youth Accountability Program is an alternative to juvenile court. Qualifying offenses for all juveniles, include:

• False fire alarm
• Negligent fires (damage not to exceed $2,500)
• Use of illegal fireworks
• Arson in the fifth degree 
• Fire-related city ordinances

Qualifying offenses for juveniles, ages 10-12:

• Negligent fires (damage not to exceed $2,500)
  
• Arson in the third degree
• Arson in the fourth degree

How it​​ works

The juvenile is required to:

• Attend an in-person class where they'll learn about the dangers of fire setting, fire safety, and the law regarding fire, flammables and explosives. At least one parent or guardian must attend with the child.​
• ​Pay restitution to the victim within one year of enrollment in the program.

All requirements of the program must be completed within the agreed upon timeline. Failure to do so may result in termination of the program and the filing of a citation or petition in juvenile court.

If the juvenile has already completed a Youth Accountability Program (other than Alcohol & Cannabis) or failed to complete an earlier program, they are not eligible for the program.

Program ​benefits

The juvenile will have a better understanding about the impact of their behavior and the dangers of fire.

After the program is successfully completed, the case is closed, and no further action will be taken.  

​Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

​The Alcohol & Cannabis Youth Accountability Program is an alternative to juvenile court. Qualifying petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor alcohol and cannabis offenses include:

• Possession or consumption of alcohol — must not be the driver of a vehicle at the time of offense.
• Use, possession or transport of cannabis products.
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (under the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act).

How it wo​​rks

The juvenile must:

• Complete an online chemical abuse awareness class.
• Payment is required to participate in the program.

All requirements of the program must be completed w​ithin 90 days from enrollment. Failure to do so may result in termination of the program and the filing of a citation or petition in juvenile court.

If the juvenile has already completed a Youth Accountability Program, failed to complete an earlier program or has another alcohol or cannabis related offense, they are not eligible for the program.

Program ben​efits

The juvenile will learn how to make healthy and responsible decisions about alcohol and drug use.

Have a better understanding of the consequences about the choices they make.

After the program is successfully completed, the case is closed and no further action will be taken.  

​Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

The Misdemeanor Property Offense Youth Accountability Program is an alternative to juvenile court. Qualifying misdemeanor property offenses may include:

• Shoplifting
• Criminal damage to property
• Possession of stolen property
• Motor vehicle tampering 
• Trespassing

How it w​​orks

The juvenile is required to:

• C​omplete a research project that's focused on encouraging positive behavior and supporting community values.
• Pay restitution to victims if they incurred a mo​netary loss.

All requirements of the program must be completed within six months from enrollment. Failure to do so may result in termination of the program and the filing of a citation or petition in juvenile court.

If the juvenile has already completed a Youth Accountability Program (other than Alcohol & Cannabis) or failed to complete an earlier program, they are not eligible for the program.

Program be​nefits

The juvenile will learn about respecting others and their property and will improve decision-making skills.

A better understanding about the impact of their behavior.

After the program is successfully completed, the case is closed and no further action will be taken.  

​Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us

• Theft
• Criminal damage to property
• Possession of stolen property
• Forgery related, or burglary in the third-degree (only if while committing the offense, the juvenile entered the garage and did not enter the home, and did not commit any other gross misdemeanor or felony level offense while in the garage)

How i​t works

​Contact

County Attorney's Office
651-438-4438
attorney@co.dakota.mn.us