Our Individual Programs Deferred Prosecution DANE COUNTY ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● Philosophy and Principles General Programs DISTRICT It is our goal to provide the best wrap- ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● around services as can be offered toward ATTORNEY’S the recovery of each participant. DPP is The Deferred Prosecution Program’s committed to the protection and safety of (DPP) success depends on our ability to OFFICE the public and fully utilizes a wide engage, educate, enhance intrinsic spectrum of community resources to motivation and activate by facilitate the completion of participant targeting interventions appropriately. contracts. The program remains in accordance with all statutes and codes to We hope to ensure all defendants leave DPP ensure due process for all parties. more competent to function effectively in the community by adequately assessing ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● defendants risk and needs and targeting Opiate Program (DPP-O) interventions appropriately. Participants of the Opiate program will We focus on develop a higher needs of be required to be in compliance with a accountability for the offense behavior, as rigorous drug testing program, meet well as their responsibility to repair the harm with the DPP counselor face-to-face done, increase victim empathy and weekly until advancing in the program, community engagement. submit a number of written Additionally, we aim to improve connection assignments, fully comply with and collaboration with defendants and substance abuse treatment community resources to provide educational opportunities as well as access to healthcare recommendations and address any and economic options. DEFERRED barriers in leading sober lifestyle. After being referred to the program by the D.A’s office, a is required to come PROSECUTION to our main office and complete the pre- screening form so an intake can then be PROGRAM scheduled. ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● Child Abuse Initiative (DPP- CAI) City-County Building, Room 212 As the larger community explores non- 211 South Carroll Street violent parenting initiatives and the Madison, Wisconsin 53703 cultural context of corporal DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Melvin Juette, Program Director punishment, the Dane County DA’s DEFERRED PROSECUTION PROGRAM

Office has incorporated a diversion PHONE: (608) 284-6896 program designed to protect all FAX: (608) 266-4687 ISMAEL R. OZANNE children and strengthen families. HOURS: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM DISTRICT ATTORNEY

What is Deferred Prosecution? Program Conditions The program is one in which eligible persons Program Eligibility Upon entering the program a participant is can divert out of the formal criminal justice required to sign a contract. The length of an process. Participants sign a contract by which • Accept responsibility for the offense. offender’s contract depends on the nature and they agree to attend classes, make restitution, seriousness of the offense, their attitude, engage in community service work, secure • Have no previous criminal convictions within commitment and educational or counseling needed psychiatric, substance abuse, domestic the past 5 years, exceptions are considered needs. Contracts average between 9 to 36 violence, vocational or other counseling. months. Early completion of the program is • Be 17 years of age or older or be waived from possible, as long as all contract conditions juvenile jurisdiction, if under 17. have been accomplished, and a significant ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● portion of the time frame stipulated in the • Have consent of the Assistant District Deferred Prosecution Benefit the contract has been completed. Attorney assigned to the case Community In Many Ways An offenders contract can be terminated if Victims who suffer personal property and • Not to be a repeat Domestic Violence they fail to adhere to any of the set conditions monetary loss are compensated by the Offender in the contract or they become involved in any offender through restitution or community criminal violations, excluding minor traffic • Voluntarily agree to participate in the service. violations. program.

If the contract terminates before completion of Courts and benefit from the the program, the District Attorney usually elimination of costly court fees and time spent Additionally, defendant must meet with program staff for a personal interview to resumes criminal court proceedings. This may in appearances for court trials, hearings, and result in a criminal conviction. pretrial conferences. determine eligibility for participation in the program. ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● The public benefits from the reduction in recidivism, the monetary restitution and the Deferred Prosecution is different community service work received, and also from probation the savings of court time and resources. A defendant placed on probation is found guilty by the judge or jury, or pleads guilty to The participants benefit from the education a charge an is sentenced. Probation involves and counseling received, as well as the formal supervision and results in a criminal avoidance of the criminal conviction. conviction.

Taxpayers benefit from reduced court costs. A participant in Deferred Prosecution is not a National studies reveal that the cost of sentence, but a is usually entered. A handling cases through pre-trial intervention participant enters the program voluntarily. programs such as this, are less than half the The Deferred Prosecution Program Any offender may elect to go to court rather cost of handling similar cases in the charges a $10 fee for services. than participate in the program. No cash will be accepted, only money traditional manner of prosecution In addition, supervision of an offender under orders or cashier’s checks made out to: the deferred prosecution contract provided by Dane county District Attorney’s office Communities are impacted substantially by an intake counselor on an informal basis. The programs such as these being available, Online payments can be made at: offender must follow through and meet the otherwise offenders may receive little to no https://da.countyofdane.com/unit_fees.aspx deadlines in their contract. If the offender supervision, and may have limited access to completes the contract, the case is dismissed. resources and services following . ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●