The District Attorney’s Office has a pre-filing Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MDP) for qualifying offenses.  MDP is designed to reduce recidivism by providing low-level, non-recidivist offenders the opportunity for rehabilitative education.  If an eligible offender successfully completes the program, pays the program fees, and pays any victim restitution, criminal charges will not be filed. 

Offenders who are eligible will be notified that they have three months to complete the program, and that they do not need to appear in court if they enroll and successfully complete the program.  The program is administered by Pacific Educational Services (PES), a proven leader in misdemeanor diversion programs across the state. Classes are offered locally in San Luis Obispo, as well as in other California counties.

Since its start in 2015, MDP has successfully removed about 10% of the misdemeanor caseload from court.

More information about PES.