More than 17,000 Pennsylvania children were charged in juvenile court in 2023, and 2/3 of the charges were for misdemeanors or summary offenses, like loitering and disorderly conduct. For those children and their communities, diversion is a better alternative than jail or probation. Diversion is a proven approach to address low-level criminal or delinquent behavior outside the formal court system, and approximately 80% of Pennsylvania children receiving diversion complete it successfully. Every Pennsylvania county offers some degree of diversion, but there are differences in models and approaches, which offenses qualify, and eligibility criteria. As a result, access to diversion varies significantly across counties, and not all youth who could benefit from this effective approach receive it. 

This report highlights some of the effective diversion strategies in use across the Commonwealth, how other states improved outcomes by requiring diversion for certain offenses, and how Pennsylvania lawmakers can expand this successful approach to addressing youth crime.