The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the interests of protecting society and rehabilitating individuals charged with violating criminal laws can best be served by creating new and innovative alternatives for treatment and supervision within the community; that in many cases, society can best be served by diverting the accused to a voluntary community oriented correctional program; that such diversion can be accomplished in appropriate cases without losing the general deterrent effect of the criminal justice system; that the retention of the deferred charges will serve both as a deterrent to committing further offenses and as an incentive to complete rehabilitative efforts; and that alternatives to institutionalization which provide for the educational, vocational and social needs of the accused will equip him to lead a lawful and useful life.