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    Diversionary Programs in Stamford Theft Cases

    The main program or diversionary program that can be explored any time a person is dealing with a theft or larceny charge in Stamford is a program called accelerated rehabilitation.

    In Connecticut, that program is available to first-time offenders. Somebody that has never been convicted of a crime in the past or has not been convicted of a misdemeanor level crime for at least 10 years is generally eligible for the accelerated rehabilitation program.

    To better understand the role of diversionary programs in your Stamford theft case, it is important to contact an attorney immediately. A knowledgeable Stamford theft lawyer can help you navigate such legal avenues.

    Eligibility for the Program

    If eligible, the judge would have to determine whether the person is deserving of a second chance. Secondly, they will look at whether the person appears to be worthy and inclined to make the most of an opportunity such as a diversionary program after their Stamford theft charge.

    If the judge makes both of those findings, the person would be granted admission into the accelerated rehabilitation program.

    Conditions of Rehabilitation

    Once a person is in the program, the judge will set a time for the program, which can range from a day to two years. The judge will set conditions about what that person cannot do, which will include things like not going to a particular store where the item might have been taken from during that period of time, or not speaking to a particular person.

    Other conditions will state that the person must not pick up any new arrests. The judge will also set conditions that require the defendant to do things such as community service, paying back the alleged victim, and restitution. This means to pay back for the loss value of whatever property was taken or returning the property.

    The conditions of a diversionary program after a Stamford theft case may also involve substance abuse treatment, evaluation, and other treatment if that was involved in the case.

    Probation Outlines

    If the person is not able to use accelerated rehabilitation or is not eligible for that program, then there is the option, as is the case with any crime, for probation.

    Probation would have many of the same types of conditions discussed, but there are two primary differences. The first is that at the end of probation, the conviction for the particular charge does not go off the person’s record. In other words, probation is a punishment that is given to somebody that has been convicted of a crime.

    The other condition is that once probation is over, that person will no longer have to be subject to the condition set by the court, but the record of that crime will remain on the person’s criminal history.

    If the person, on the other hand, completes the acceleration rehabilitation program after their Stamford theft charge, at the end of the program, the charges are dismissed.

    Accelerated rehabilitation is an informal form of probation that takes place while the charges are still pending. If successfully completed, the person will be entitled to have the charges dismissed.

    Probation is something that comes as a punishment after somebody has been convicted. If the person does not meet the conditions of probation, the person exposes themselves to potential additional punishment.