A. Beginning November 1, 2021, the District Attorneys Council is hereby authorized to develop and administer a five-year restorative justice pilot program that shall utilize citizen-led mediation panels. The purpose of the program shall be to divert offenders from the traditional prosecution model through use of a deferred prosecution agreement, while utilizing evidence-based practices and techniques to create a community-based restorative justice program that focus on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.
B. For purposes of this section, the term "restorative justice program" is defined as an alternative means to the traditional criminal justice model for qualifying nonviolent offenses. The restorative justice program under the provisions of this section should seek to have offenders take responsibility for their actions, understand the harms they have committed and provide an opportunity for offenders to make amends with the victims, themselves and their communities.
C. The pilot program shall expire at the conclusion of five (5) years from the effective date of this act.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 108, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.