Community Missions of Niagara Frontier

Niagara Falls Juvenile

Arrest Diversion Program

The Juvenile Arrest Diversion Program offers an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system for youth who are apprehended by the Niagara Falls Police Department (NFPD) for various crimes. The Juvenile Arrest Diversion Program is designed to help reduce the number and percentage of youth who have had contact with the juvenile and criminal justice system in the city of Niagara Falls. The program supervises a maximum of 10 to 15 juveniles, age 7-15, for a sixty day period. The expected service caseload for the program will be sixty (60) juveniles each calendar year.

Referrals for the Juvenile Arrest Diversion program are generated from the Niagara Falls Police Department. First time offenders and cases involving misdemeanors are considered the most appropriate for the program. However, felony cases, and Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) are not eligible. Once the NFPD determines a youth to be eligible, the case is then referred to the Community Missions Juvenile Arrest Diversion Coordinator for review and screening.

The Coordinator will then supervise a restoration contract with the client, which typically includes substance abuse testing/treatment, mental health assessment, a letter of apology to the victim, negotiated restitution to the victim, monitored curfews, community service sanction, and participation in structured group therapy. Fulfillment of the contract over 60 days will result in closure of the case. Non-compliance with the contract will result in the NFPD reviving the arrest and appearance ticket process for court referral.

This program is monitored in partnership with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.