(a) If the prosecuting attorney determines that this chapter may be applicable to the defendant, he or she shall advise the defendant and his or her attorney in writing of that determination. This notification shall include all of the following:
(1) A full description of the procedures for pretrial diversion.
(2) A general explanation of the roles and authorities of the probation department, the prosecuting attorney, the program, and the court in the process.
(3) A clear statement that the court may grant pretrial diversion with respect to any offense specified in subdivision (a) of Section 1000 that is charged, provided that the defendant pleads not guilty to the charge or charges, waives the right to a speedy trial, to a speedy preliminary hearing, and to a trial by jury, if applicable, and that upon the defendant’s successful completion of a program, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1000, the positive recommendation of the program authority and the motion of the defendant, prosecuting attorney, the court, or the probation department, but no sooner than 12 months and no later than 18 months from the date of the defendant’s referral to the program, the court shall dismiss the charge or charges against the defendant.
(4) A clear statement that upon any failure of treatment or condition under the program, or any circumstance specified in Section 1000.3, the prosecuting attorney or the probation department or the court on its own may make a motion to the court to terminate pretrial diversion and schedule further proceedings as otherwise provided in this code.
(5) An explanation of criminal record retention and disposition resulting from participation in the pretrial diversion program and the defendant’s rights relative to answering questions about his or her arrest and pretrial diversion following successful completion of the program.
(b) If the defendant consents and waives his or her right to a speedy trial, a speedy preliminary hearing, and to a trial by jury, if applicable, the court may refer the case to the probation department or the court may summarily grant pretrial diversion. When directed by the court, the probation department shall make an investigation and take into consideration the defendant’s age, employment and service records, educational background, community and family ties, prior controlled substance use, treatment history, if any, demonstrable motivation, and other mitigating factors in determining whether the defendant is a person who would be benefited by education, treatment, or rehabilitation. The probation department shall also determine which programs the defendant would benefit from and which programs would accept the defendant. The probation department shall report its findings and recommendations to the court. The court shall make the final determination regarding education, treatment, or rehabilitation for the defendant. If the court determines that it is appropriate, the court shall grant pretrial diversion if the defendant pleads not guilty to the charge or charges and waives the right to a speedy trial, to a speedy preliminary hearing, and to a trial by jury, if applicable.
(c) (1) No statement, or any information procured therefrom, made by the defendant to any probation officer or drug treatment worker, that is made during the course of any investigation conducted by the probation department or treatment program pursuant to subdivision (b), and prior to the reporting of the probation department’s findings and recommendations to the court, shall be admissible in any action or proceeding brought subsequent to the investigation.
(2) No statement, or any information procured therefrom, with respect to the specific offense with which the defendant is charged, that is made to any probation officer or drug program worker subsequent to the granting of pretrial diversion shall be admissible in any action or proceeding.
(d) A defendant’s participation in pretrial diversion pursuant to this chapter shall not constitute a conviction or an admission of guilt for any purpose.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 778, Sec. 2. (AB 208) Effective January 1, 2018.)