Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Prosecution Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District attorney to pilot restorative‑justice option inside DA diversion; deflection and Axon updates reported
Summary
District Attorney Brian Johnson told commissioners the office will pilot a restorative‑justice track within its DA diversion program, is rolling out deflection referrals tied to drug possession, and is monitoring Axon body‑camera implementation and associated discovery fees.
District Attorney Brian Johnson briefed the Benton County Board of Commissioners on new and ongoing programs, including a planned restorative‑justice pilot within the office’s DA diversion program, expansion of deflection options for certain possession offenses, and implementation updates for Axon media (body‑worn cameras and discovery processing).
Johnson said the restorative‑justice option—developed with Neighbor to Neighbor facilitator Scott Smith—would be offered as a term of the office’s existing DA diversion program for eligible, typically nonviolent cases. He described restorative justice as a mediated process that brings together the harmed person (victim), the responsible party and a community representative to develop a plan that addresses victim needs; program participation would occur over the 6‑ to 9‑month diversion period and successful completion would lead to dismissal of the charge.
Johnson said the office will start the restorative‑justice pilot on a small scale after signing a memorandum of understanding and that program rollout could take one to two months. He emphasized eligibility criteria will be refined over time; proposed disqualifiers include recent violent history and residency requirements (participants must typically reside in the county), though cross‑county arrangements could be explored if treatment or comparable programs exist elsewhere.
On deflection and Measure 110‑related changes, Johnson said officers are handing out referral cards (with QR codes) to individuals who may be eligible for deflection programs aimed at people cited for unclassified possession of controlled substances; the office already has about a dozen participants and one recent graduate. He described deflection as a tool for addressing lower‑level possession cases through treatment rather than traditional prosecution and noted the legislature established the program framework.
Johnson also reported that the office’s switch to Axon for body‑worn video and digital evidence has stabilized: media staff report receiving comparable discovery fee revenue as before and backlog problems from implementation have been reduced. The DA’s office expects two new deputy district attorneys to join soon—one experienced prosecutor and one entry‑level hire—so the office can handle caseloads as new staff onboard.
No formal board action was requested; Johnson said the programs will be monitored and adjusted as needed.
