AL HB648

Municipal governing bodies may establish or abolish pretrial diversion programs and assess fees for administration, with supervision by the presiding municipal judge.

Persons charged with criminal offenses in municipal court may apply for program admission; the judge determines eligibility upon recommendation of the municipal prosecutor.

Participants must enter a guilty plea and complete all program requirements; successful completion results in case dismissal, while failure to complete results in case dismissal or sentencing at the judge's discretion.

Commercial driver's license holders, commercial motor vehicle operators, and commercial driver learner permit holders charged with traffic violations are ineligible for the program.

Municipalities and their officers, employees, and contracted service providers are granted immunity from liability for offender conduct during program participation, except in cases of wantonness, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct.