Texas law allows for counties to create diversion programs which allow certain individuals charged with a crime the opportunity to resolve it and get is off of their record in a quicker fashion than traditional means.
Deferred Prosecution Program (DPP):
Texas law allows for counties to create diversion programs which allow certain individuals charged with a crime the opportunity to resolve it and get is off of their record in a quicker fashion than traditional means. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s office has a program called the Deferred Prosecution Program, or commonly referred to as DPP. This program is run by the District Attorney’s Office and is an opportunity for young offenders to put first time mistakes behind them. If a person is accepted into the program and successfully completes it, the case against them gets dismissed and they are eligible for immediate expunction. In June of 2015, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office revamped the program.
Below is a general discussion of the new DPP program, which only applies to cases filed on or after June 15th, 2015.
Feel free to contact our office and see if you are eligible for this program.
The general criteria to be eligible is as follows:
Must be between 17-24 at time of the offense
Must not have had a previous juvenile adjudication or conviction or supervision for a Class B Misdemeanor or higher
Must not be a member of a mental health priority population
Must not have participated in DPP before
Can’t have multiple offense from different episodes pending
Can’t have caused or placed anyone in danger during offense
Can’t have committed offense after arrest or bond
Can’t be gang related
Not all offenses are eligible for this program. Below is a list of some of the more common offenses that are eligible for Tarrant County’s DPP Program. This list is not exclusive so feel free to contact our offense and see if your offense qualifies:
Theft, up to a State Jail Felony,
Unauthorized use of a vehicle,
Burglary, up to a State Jail Felony,
Credit card and debit card abuse
Criminal mischief, up to a State Jail Felony
Evading arrest, Misdemeanor only
Failure to ID
Purchase or furnish alcohol to minor
Failure to stop at accident or Failure to give notice fixed object, Misdemeanor only
Possession of Marijuana up to 4 ounces
Possession of certain Controlled Substances, up to a State Jail Felony
If someone meets the criteria for the program they must apply to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office within 60 days from the date the case was filed, NO EXCEPTIONS. That person must also attend an orientation and pass a drug test one week before the orientation. If accepted into the program the length is 4 months for Misdemeanor offenses, and 8 months for felony offenses. Upon completion the case is dismissed and the person can apply for expunction. However, the expunction is not automatic and the person must apply. If you believe your case is eligible for this program, or if you have completed it and need assistance in seeking an expunction, please contact our office for a free consultation.