Bill > S2836

This bill amends Section 54A of Chapter 119 of the General Laws to revise the eligibility requirements for judicial diversion of certain children. The key provisions are: 1. A child otherwise eligible for diversion shall not be eligible if they are indicted as a youthful offender, charged with an offense that cannot be continued without a finding or placed on file, or charged with an offense that carries a potential penalty of more than 5 years in prison or a minimum term of incarceration, unless the offense also has concurrent district court jurisdiction. 2. The bill also lists specific offenses that make a child ineligible for diversion, including various motor vehicle, juvenile justice, domestic violence, and other criminal offenses, with some exceptions. 3. The bill clarifies that diversion of juvenile court charges does not preclude a subsequent indictment on the same charges in superior court. The overall purpose of the bill is to provide judicial supervision to promote the well-being of children involved in the criminal justice system, by limiting the eligibility for diversion in certain cases.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on the Judiciary (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2836