HB656 Summary

• Authorizes the City of Northport to establish a discretionary pretrial diversion program for persons charged with criminal offenses within the city's jurisdiction.

• Program admission is solely at the discretion of the city attorney and prohibits acceptance of individuals deemed threats to community safety or charged with violence against law enforcement, weapon-related crimes, serious DUI offenses, or public officials charged crimes related to their office.

• Requires written agreements between city attorney and offender including waiver of speedy trial and jury trial rights, guilty plea, restitution terms, and conditions such as substance abuse treatment, education, employment, drug testing, and curfews.

• Establishes nonrefundable application fees of $1,000 (misdemeanor/DUI), $500 (traffic), or $100 (violations), allocated to city general fund with minimum 25% each to law enforcement technology/training and an Indigent Treatment Fund; fees may be waived for indigent defendants.

• Upon successful completion, charges may be dismissed; termination results in court imposing sentence without regard to agreement terms; offender remains liable for all court costs, fees, and restitution regardless of program outcome.