How to Apply for Diversion in Victoria

Charged for the first time with a lower-level offence? This course explains the Criminal Justice Diversion Program in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and walks you step by step through asking the police for diversion, preparing your material and completing your plan.

What you get

• 8 short video lessons in plain English
• Diversion Information Worksheet to prepare your request
• Diversion request letter template, plus a worked example
• Apology letter and thank-you letter templates
• A worked example following a fictional person from charge to completed plan
• Guidance on police checks and disclosure after diversion
• 7 days’ access for a one-off payment of $99 (inc. GST); download the worksheets and templates to keep

Lessons

1. Introduction
2. What Diversion Is and Whether You Are Eligible
3. Asking the Informant for Diversion
4. Preparing Your Personal Statement and Supporting Material
5. The Diversion Coordinator Interview and the Hearing
6. Completing Your Diversion Plan
7. If Diversion Is Refused or the Plan Isn’t Completed
8. Next Steps

Is this course right for you?

This course is for adults with a lower-level charge in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria who accept they were responsible for what happened, have little or no prior criminal history, and want to understand how to ask for diversion and complete a diversion plan themselves. It suits matters such as a first-time shop theft, minor property damage or a small drug possession charge.

This course is not suitable if you do not accept that you did what the police allege, if you are facing a serious charge or a real risk of jail, if your matter involves family violence, an intervention order or injury to someone, if you have prior convictions or are already on a court order, or if you are not an Australian citizen (a criminal matter can affect a visa). It does not cover driving offences with automatic licence loss or other minimum penalties, which are generally not eligible for diversion, or the Children’s Court youth diversion scheme for people under 18. In any of these situations, please get advice from a lawyer, Victoria Legal Aid or a community legal centre before you take any step.

Want a lawyer to review your plan?

Your $99 course fee counts towards a consultation. If you book a confidential consultation with a lawyer within two weeks of buying a course (online, by video), you pay only the balance:

• 30 minutes (summary offences and intervention orders): $330 (inc. GST), so you pay a balance of $231
• 60 minutes (indictable offences): $660 (inc. GST), so you pay a balance of $561

To book, email enquiries@melbournecriminaldefencelawyers.com.au with your name, the course you bought and your charge sheet (or intervention order application). We will check that we can act for you and arrange a time. The balance is paid on the day of your consultation.

This course is educational and is not a substitute for legal advice. It is not tailored to your situation. By purchasing, you agree to the Course Terms.