pre trial intervention

Your attorney should help you best answer this question based on previous criminal history (this program is usually for first time offenders), your age, type of crime, type of possible sentencing involved, strength and weakness of your case.  Do you have counsel?  Try www.attorneypages.com or the New Jersey State Bar or Legal Aid.

In your state of New Jersey, pre-trial intervention description is found here: http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/criminal/crpti.htm

As the site states: "Pre Trial Intervention Program (PTI)

What is the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI)?

The Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI) provides defendants, generally first-time offenders, with opportunities for alternatives to the traditional criminal justice process of ordinary prosecution. PTI seeks to render early rehabilitative services, when such services can reasonably be expected to deter future criminal behavior. The PTI program is based on a rehabilitative model that recognizes that there may be an apparent causal connection between the offense charged and the rehabilitative needs of a defendant. Further, the rehabilitative model emphasizes that social, cultural, and economic conditions often result in a defendant's decision to commit crime.

Simply stated, PTI strives to solve personal problems which tend to result from the conditions that appear to cause crime, and ultimately, to deter future criminal or disorderly behavior by a defendant.

What Are The Benefits of the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI)?

What are the Conditions for Participation In Pretrial Intervention?

Supervision under the PTI program may average from one to three years. Certain standard conditions are imposed on those accepted into PTI, such as, random urine monitoring, and assessments for fees, penalties and fines. Additional conditions may also be imposed to require the performance of community service, payment of restitution, and submission to psychological and/or drug and alcohol evaluations with compliance to recommended treatment programs.

If a defendant successfully completes all the conditions of PTI, then the original charges are dismissed and there is no record of conviction.

If a defendant does not successfully complete the conditions of PTI, then the defendant is terminated from the PTI program and the case is returned to the trial list.

Who is Eligible for Pretrial Intervention (PTI)?

Any defendant who is charged with an indictable offense may apply.

*Admission guidelines stated in the Court Rules set the following criteria:

*The Administrative Office of the Courts, Criminal Practice Division, maintains the State Pretrial Intervention Registry for determining applications, enrollments and the degree of program completion and dismissal of charges, termination of program or rejection of application.

How Does One Apply for Pretrial Intervention?

Applications to PTI should be made as early as possible upon the commencement of proceedings to the Criminal Division Office in the county where the criminal charge is filed, but not later than seven days after the defendant's original plea to the indictment.

The application process includes an interview with the defendant by a staff member of the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. A written report is prepared detailing the decision for admittance or rejection into the PTI program. This report is forwarded to the prosecutor and defense counsel. A defendant is accepted into PTI on the recommendation of the Criminal Division, with the consent of the prosecutor and the defendant.

If accepted, the conditions for participation are set forth in the PTI Order and must be followed for the defendant to successfully complete.

If for any reason the defendant is not accepted, the applicant may appeal the decision to the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division.

For More Information Contact Your Local Superior Court Criminal Division."