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Misdemeanor Diversion Can Get Your Case Dismissed

Misdemeanor diversion under Penal Code section 1001.95 is possible for most misdemeanor charges. However, it is not available for misdemeanor violations of:

  • Penal Code § 273.5 (domestic violence);
  • Penal Code § 243(e) (domestic violence battery);
  • Penal Code § 646.9 (stalking); or
  • Any criminal conviction that requires registration under section 290 (sex offender registration).

Applying for Misdemeanor Diversion

  1. Ask the prosecutor for diversion. Many prosecutors offices already have a misdemeanor diversion program that they offer to defendants facing non-violent misdemeanor charges. Sometimes the prosecutor will offer diversion before any they file a criminal case. If the prosecutor does press charges, the defendant can still negotiate a diversion program with the prosecutor.
  2. Ask the Judge for diversion. Under Penal Code section 1001.95, the Judge may grant diversion even over the objection of the prosecutor. If the judge does grant diversion, the defendant must comply with the terms, conditions, and programs as ordered by the Judge.

Benefits of Diversion

If the judge grants diversion, criminal proceedings are suspended. If the defendant complies with all the terms, conditions, and program ordered by the Judge, at the end of the diversion period the judge must dismiss the case against the defendant.

Length of Diversion

Although diversion can be up to 24 months, it typically lasts 6 months to one year. For some prosecutor diversion programs, the length of diversion is 90 days. However, the defendant can ask the Judge to terminate diversion prematurely once they have successfully completed all conditions and programs.

Failing Misdemeanor Diversion

If the defendant does not comply with the terms and conditions of diversion, the judge will hold a hearing to determine whether to resume criminal proceedings. If the judge finds that the defendant has not complied with the terms and conditions, the criminal case against the defendant resumes.

Terms of Diversion

Terms and conditions of diversion are meant to address the criminal allegations. For example, if the charge is drunk in public, the judge could order the defendant to attend AA meetings or an alcohol course. For a petty theft charge, the judge could order the defendant to pay restitution for their damages and attend a theft awareness course.

Proposition 47 Early Release From Prison

Proposition 47 – Reducing Charges

Proposition 47 reduces the punishment for certain felony drug and property offense charges under $950 to a misdemeanor. It does not apply to registered sex offenders and people with prior convictions for serious or violent crimes.

Re-sentencing For Inmates

Prop 47 permits re-sentencing for people currently serving a prison sentence, or with prior felony convictions. Charges eligible to be reduced to misdemeanors are listed below.

Proposition 47

Must File A Petition

No one is automatically released from prison under Proposition 47. Instead you must petition the court to reduce your charges and re-sentence you.

Eligible inmates who petition the court are required to be resentenced unless the court finds an unreasonable risk to public safety.

Risk To Public Safety

When determining the risk to public safety, the court may consider the offender’s criminal history, the types of crimes committed and when they occurred, the extent of injury to victims, the length of prior prison commitments, the inmate’s disciplinary and rehabilitation records while incarcerated, and any other relevant evidence.

What Is The Deadline To Petition?

Your petition must be filed with the court before November 4, 2022.

proposition 47

How Do I File A Petition?

Under Prop 47, in order to petition for a reduction of a crime to a misdemeanor, you must first obtain a copy of your criminal record. Next, you must obtain a petition form for reclassification. Most counties have created petition forms that can be found here.

For counties that have not created petition forms, contact the local courthouse and ask which form to use.

Once the petition is complete, send one copy to the District Attorney’s Office in the county where you were convicted. The other copy is sent to the Superior Court in the county where you were convicted.

proposition 47

Proposition 47 Applies To The Following Charges:

  • Shoplifting – Penal Code 459 – Shoplifting
  • Forgery – Penal Code 470-476
  • Fraud/Bad Checks of $950 or less – Penal Code 476a
  • Grand Theft of $950 or less – Penal Code 487
  • Petty Theft/Shoplifting of $950 or less – Penal Code 484, 484/666
  • Possession of Methamphetamine – Health & Safety 11377
  • Possession of Controlled Substance – Health & Safety 11350
  • Possession of Concentrated Cannabis – Health and Safety 11357(a)
  • Receiving Stolen Property – Penal Code 496
  • Embezzlement of $950 or less – Penal Code 503 (People v. Warmington)
  • Joyriding of a vehicle worth $950 or less – Vehicle Code 10851 (People v. Page)
  • Attempting to cash a check worth $950 or less – Penal Code 459.5 (People v. Gonzales)
  • Theft of Account Information of $950 or less – Penal Code 484e(d) (People v. Romanowski)

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