Pre-Trial Diversion

Pre-Trial diversion is a method used by many districts for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes in an effort to divert certain individuals from trials, if they are non-violent offenders. The program will also allow them to undergo necessary and helpful treatment if deemed necessary. No method is fool proof, but a major part of the fight against crime is won if the criminal act is prevented. The District Attorney's office can utilize this authority and vision to create efforts to prevent crime.

If anyone is interested in Pre-Trial diversion contact Shane Bourgeois at the District Attorney's Office West Feliciana Parish Office (225) 635-4612, East Feliciana Parish (225)683-8563

Requiring individuals to participate in public or community service is another method of handling non-violent offenders. This is an effort to prevent the filling our jails with non-violent offenders and to allow room for the more serious violent criminals. This is an important step in the overall management of the criminal justice system.

Gambling Treatment Referral Program

The Gambling Treatment Referral Program is administered on a voluntary basis by the District Attorney to address criminal activity resulting from pathological gambling. This program is a statewide diversionary program designed to provide assessment and treatment services rather than incarceration for non-violent first and second offenders whose crimes are directly related to gambling addiction.

The Gambling Treatment Referral program is implemented with the participation of the District Attorney and his staff, the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, the Office for Addictive Disorders, and the Office of the Attorney General.

CRIMES ASSOCIATED WITH COMPULSIVE GAMBLING

Theft
Forgery
Issuing Worthless Checks
Credit Card Fraud
Failure to Pay Child Support
Child Abandonment

EXCLUSIONS

Persons who caused death or serious bodily injury
Persons with prior convictions for crime of violence
Persons who used force

CONDITIONS-----Admission to the program includes:

Referral by the District Attorney
Assessment and acceptance to the program by the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling
Agreement by the offender to the terms and conditions of the program

GOALS

Reduce the number of gambling related cases before the courts
Reduce the population in overcrowded jails
Provide restitution to the victims
Reduce recidivism

If you or someone you love have a gambling problem and want to learn more about this program or have any questions you may contact:
Shane Bourgeois
Investigator/Pre-Trial Diversion Coordinater
East and West Feliciana Parish
Telephone: East Feliciana 225-683-8563, West Feliciana 225-635-4612

Email Address: sbourgeois20inv@bellsouth.net

OTHER RELATED WEBSITES:

www.ladoj.ag.state.la.us    Office of the Attorney General

www.thegamble.org    Youth and Gambling

www.laprobgam.org     Louisiana Association on Problem Gambling

www.dhh.state.la.us/oad     Office for Addictive Disorders

LOUISIANA PROBLEM GAMBLERS HELP LINE
1-877-770-STOP (7867)

THE OFFICE FOR ADDICTIVE DISORDERS (BATON ROUGE)
225-342-6717