Have you or a family member been arrested in South Carolina and charged with a criminal drug offense? If so, you may understandably be upset and one of the concerns on your mind might be how your life will be impacted with a criminal conviction on your record. You will be pleased to know that there may be an opportunity to avoid having a permanent criminal conviction on your record if you are eligible for what is called a drug diversion program.
As explained by the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the state of South Carolina has developed drug diversion programs to help select defendants avoid the long-term stigma of life with a criminal record. Generally these programs are reserved for people with no prior criminal offenses and who have been charged with relatively minor crimes. Courts also may benefit from these programs by reducing the number of people who must be processed through court proceedings and who may end up in detention centers, jails or correctional facilities.
Every circuit has its own diversion program but they frequently involve some performance of some community service activities, counseling and a probationary period during which the participant is expected to remain free of any other violations or arrests.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give residents in South Carolina who might be facing criminal drug charges an overview of drug diversion programs which might provide an option for them to avoid a criminal conviction.
