Diversion/Intervention Programs
Pursuant to statutory mandate, the SCCPC provides administrative and programmatic support to diversion/intervention program coordinators within the Offices of Solicitor. The SCCPC is dedicated to enhancing the diversion/intervention programs across the state and works closely with the Circuit Director of Diversion Programs in each of the 16 circuits. The Circuit Director of Diversion Programs serves as the central point of contact for all diversion programs operating within the judicial circuit. Click here to find the Circuit Director of Diversion Programs for your judicial circuit. Click here to view the Directory of SC Diversion Programs & Treatment Courts, which contains a listing of all South Carolina Circuit Solicitor diversion/intervention and treatment programs.
What is Diversion/Intervention?
The South Carolina legislature established South Carolina’s first diversion/intervention programs as an alternative to traditional prosecution. Diversion/intervention programs hold the defendant accountable while affording the opportunity for a second chance and deterring future criminal behavior. Diversion/intervention programs are offered at the Solicitor’s discretion for eligible offenses. While participating in a diversion program, the active case remains pending. However, upon successfully completing a the diversion program, the participant’s charges are dismissed. Participants may also apply for an expungement of the charges from their record.
South Carolina’s diversion/intervention programs are under the control and supervision of the Circuit Solicitors. Admission into a diversion/intervention program is subject to the Circuit Solicitor’s discretion in the governing jurisdiction.
Currently South Carolina offers 18 different types of diversion/intervention programs across the 16 judicial circuits and 46 state counties. These programs include:
- Alcohol Education Program*;
- Juvenile Arbitration Program*;
- Pretrial Intervention Program*;
- Traffic Education Program*;
- Worthless Check Program*;
- Domestic Violence Intervention Program;
- Adult Drug Court;
- Juvenile Drug Court;
- Solicitor’s Drug Intervention Program;
- DUI Court;
- Homeless Court;
- Juvenile Diversion;
- Juvenile Pretrial Intervention;
- Mental Health Court;
- New Start Substance Abuse Intervention Program; and
- Veterans Court.
*marks statutory diversion/intervention programs
Contact a Circuit Director of Diversion Programs for more information about programs offered in their circuits.