9.1. Diversion 
DAVID CARTER 
The bulk of this chapter deals with official actions from the courts on individuals in the community, while 
they are under some sanction. However, there is also a large number of individuals that do not even make it 
that far in the system, due to some form of diversion. Diversion is presented in this chapter, as it is an action 
that would effectively keep a person in the community. Diversion is a process whereby an individual, at 
some stage, is diverted from continuing on in the formal justice process. Diversion can come as early as initial 
contact with a law enforcement officer. This discretion that the officer uses could be considered a diversion, 
as the officer is saying that this individual does not need to continue on the justice path. It could be a verbal 
warning, a warning ticket, or just a decision by the officer to not start a formal ticket (citation). 
 
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