Should Court Diversion Programs Charge Fees?
Kansas City’s KCUR 89.3, reporter Blaise Mena looked at how cities and counties across the state are handling diversion and diversion program fees, and talked with experts about how they may impact people in Kansas’ criminal justice system.
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Diversion programs offer defendants in certain criminal cases to potentially avoid a criminal conviction or time in prison by participating in community service, restitution or educational alternatives. But some cities and counties charge for these programs. In Kansas, for Kansas City’s KCUR 89.3, reporter Blaise Mena looked at how cities and counties across the state were handling diversion and diversion program fees and talked with experts about how they may impact people in Kansas’ criminal justice system. Costs for diversionary programs can range from $50 to $1,174 across different counties and courts, depending on the offense.
But some Kansas counties have developed solutions: in Lyon County, there are fee waivers available. Others offer payment plans. In Manhattan, Kansas, someone participating in a diversion program can pay off a fee either through paying a fine or for working a certain number of hours in local community service over the course of a year.
