Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office: Misdemeanor Diversion Program helping to save resources

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Those accused of low-level misdemeanor offenses in Santa Barbara County has the option of taking rehabilitation classes to avoid criminal prosecution.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office has been overseeing the program since its inception in 2012.

Chief deputy district attorney John Savrnoch believes the program is going well.

"It’s a chance for the person to Except responsibility for their actions and hopefully change their behavior before they commit subsequent or more serious offenses," said Savrnoch.

Savrnoch believes it's helping to save resources.

That’s because the program diverts minor cases out of the court system.

"If recidivism can be stopped through the diversion process and it changes their behavior and doesn’t commit subsequent crimes then there are fewer victims of crime," said Savrnock.

The county hopes to continue the diversion program as long as it helps to better the community.