Facing a criminal charge in Contra Costa County can feel overwhelming, but pretrial diversion offers a powerful opportunity to avoid a conviction and protect your future. Instead of proceeding through traditional prosecution, eligible individuals can complete treatment, counseling, or educational programs that address the issues underlying their arrest. Once the program is successfully completed, charges are often dismissed, allowing you to move forward without a criminal conviction on your record.
Contra Costa County courts emphasize accountability, verified progress, and meaningful rehabilitation. Judges expect consistent participation and clear documentation throughout the diversion process. Executive Treatment Solutions (ETS) guides clients through every step—helping them qualify, enroll quickly, stay compliant, and present credible reports that align with local court expectations.
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Understanding the Process Locally
Pretrial diversion in Contra Costa County operates under California’s statewide statutes—PC 1000 (Drug Diversion), PC 1001.36 (Mental Health Diversion), and PC 1001.95 (Judicial Misdemeanor Diversion). These programs allow eligible defendants to complete treatment, therapy, or education instead of being prosecuted. Once successfully completed, charges are commonly reduced or dismissed, helping individuals avoid the long-term impact of a criminal conviction.
Contra Costa County courts value rehabilitation, responsibility, and consistent treatment engagement. ETS supports clients with clinical evaluations, rapid enrollment, and professional compliance reporting to meet local expectations.
Local Court System & Venues in Contra Costa County
Criminal cases in Contra Costa County are typically heard at:
Martinez Superior Court (Main Criminal Courthouse)
Richmond Superior Court
Pittsburg Superior Court
Each courthouse follows the same legal framework but may apply localized procedures and varying judicial discretion.
Step-by-Step Diversion Process in Contra Costa County
1. Referral or Attorney Motion
Diversion typically begins when the judge identifies potential eligibility or when your attorney files a motion supported by ETS evaluations and treatment recommendations.
2. Eligibility Screening
The court reviews several factors, including:
Criminal history
Nature and severity of the charge
Mental health or substance use conditions
Trauma history
Risk to public safety
Willingness to participate in treatment
ETS provides detailed clinical assessments to help support qualification.
3. Program Enrollment
Once diversion is granted, defendants must enroll in an appropriate program, which may include:
Mental health counseling
Substance use treatment
Anger management
Domestic violence courses
Trauma-informed therapy
Behavioral or educational classes
Drug/alcohol testing
ETS ensures fast placement with approved treatment providers across Contra Costa County.
4. Monitoring & Compliance
Contra Costa judges expect steady participation and documented progress. Compliance includes:
Attending all required sessions
Completing assigned courses
Submitting to testing when ordered
Staying arrest-free
ETS provides organized documentation, including:
Attendance logs
Progress notes
Toxicology results (if applicable)
Monthly compliance summaries
Completion certificates
This documentation is critical for maintaining eligibility and securing dismissal.
5. Final Review & Dismissal
After completing the program, the court holds a final hearing. Successful participants often receive:
Dismissal of charges, or
Reduction of charges, depending on the diversion pathway
This allows individuals to move forward without a conviction impacting their record.
Who Qualifies — And Why It Matters
Contra Costa County offers pretrial diversion to individuals whose charges, background, and treatment needs make rehabilitation more appropriate than traditional prosecution. Judges review each case closely, focusing on treatment potential, public safety, and whether the underlying behavior is connected to mental health, trauma, or substance use.
Executive Treatment Solutions (ETS) strengthens eligibility with clinical evaluations, individualized treatment plans, and clear documentation that supports your attorney’s diversion motion.
You may qualify for diversion in Contra Costa County if:
You are a first-time or low-level offender
You have a mental health condition that contributed to the incident (PC 1001.36)
You have a substance use disorder appropriate for PC 1000
You have a history of trauma, including PTSD or abuse
You are willing to begin treatment immediately and remain compliant
Courts often look favorably on defendants who show initiative by starting treatment early.
Diversion is frequently approved for:
Drug possession (HS 11350, HS 11377, HS 11550)
Petty theft / shoplifting (PC 484, 488, 459.5)
Trespassing & vandalism (PC 602, PC 594)
Low-level domestic violence (PC 243(e)(1))
Public conduct offenses (PC 647)
Resisting without violence (PC 148(a)(1))
Mental health–related offenses supported under PC 1001.36
Contra Costa County generally excludes:
Violent felonies
Weapon-related offenses
Sex offenses requiring PC 290 registration
Crimes involving serious injury
Repeat felony offenders, especially those on probation or parole
Be Cautious
Pretrial diversion is not an option in every case. Serious offenses — such as violent crimes, sexual offenses, and those tied to organized gang activity — are generally excluded from eligibility.
However, many individuals facing non-violent charges may still qualify, even if they are unaware of it at first. At Executive Treatment Solutions (ETS), we partner with defense attorneys to review eligibility, gather supporting records, and demonstrate compliance, giving clients the best possible chance of being accepted into a pretrial diversion program.
We’re Part of Your Defense Strategy
Contra Costa County processes thousands of criminal cases each year, and even a single conviction can have long-lasting effects on employment, housing, education, and immigration status. Pretrial diversion allows eligible individuals to avoid these consequences by completing treatment or counseling instead of moving through traditional prosecution. When diversion is successfully completed, charges are often dismissed, giving defendants a powerful opportunity to rebuild their lives without a conviction on their record.
Contra Costa County’s criminal justice system increasingly emphasizes rehabilitation, accountability, and treatment-based solutions. Judges expect defendants to show initiative, engage consistently in treatment, and provide reliable documentation of their progress. ETS ensures that every participant has the structure, support, and reporting needed to meet these expectations.
Eligible individuals can complete treatment-focused programs instead of serving time in the Contra Costa County Jail, creating a path toward stability rather than punishment.
Successful completion of diversion often results in dismissed charges, keeping a conviction off your record and preventing long-term consequences.
Contra Costa County employers, landlords, and licensing boards frequently conduct background checks. Diversion helps ensure one mistake does not jeopardize your future.
For non-citizens, avoiding a conviction may prevent deportation, visa denials, or other immigration consequences.
Diversion programs target the root causes of the incident, including:
Mental health challenges
Trauma
Substance use
Behavioral needs
This approach leads to better long-term outcomes than punishment alone.
Contra Costa County judges value consistent engagement and credible progress reports. ETS provides structured treatment, documentation, and monitoring that help defendants succeed in the diversion process.
A Path Forward — If You’re Willing to Do the Work
Contra Costa County courts expect strong accountability, verified progress, and consistent treatment participation from anyone seeking pretrial diversion. Executive Treatment Solutions (ETS) provides the evaluations, treatment placement, and detailed reporting necessary to help defendants qualify for diversion and successfully complete their program.
ETS creates tailored treatment plans based on:
Your charges
Mental health needs
Substance use issues
Trauma history
Requirements of the courthouse handling your case
These plans help your attorney present a strong, clinically supported diversion motion.
Courts in Contra Costa respond positively to early engagement. ETS quickly connects clients with approved programs offering:
Mental health counseling
Substance use treatment
Anger management and domestic violence courses
Trauma-informed therapy
Behavioral and educational classes
Fast enrollment signals commitment and strengthens your eligibility.
Contra Costa judges rely heavily on documented progress. ETS provides:
Attendance verification
Therapist progress notes
Toxicology test results (when required)
Monthly compliance summaries
Completion certificates
This structured reporting helps maintain diversion eligibility and demonstrates measurable improvement.
Not Every Felony Is Disqualifying — Many Are Eligible
Contra Costa County frequently approves pretrial diversion for a wide range of misdemeanor and certain low-level felony cases—particularly when treatment, counseling, or rehabilitation can address the circumstances behind the arrest. With proper documentation and early engagement, defendants facing the following charges often qualify.
Drug-Related Offenses
Commonly eligible under PC 1000 or treatment-based diversion:
HS 11350 / 11377 – Drug possession
HS 11550 – Under the influence
Possession of paraphernalia
Theft & Property Crimes
Often approved when restitution and behavioral classes are completed:
PC 484 / 488 – Petty theft / shoplifting
PC 459.5 – Commercial burglary under $950
PC 594 – Vandalism (low-level)
DUI (Case-Dependent)
Some first-time DUI cases may qualify depending on:
BAC level
Local judicial discretion
Presence of aggravating factors
Low-Level Domestic Violence
Diversion may be approved when appropriate treatment is available:
PC 243(e)(1) – Misdemeanor domestic battery
Public Conduct & Quality-of-Life Offenses
Contra Costa County often diverts non-violent public conduct cases such as:
PC 602 – Trespassing
PC 647(f) – Public intoxication
PC 647(b) – Prostitution
PC 148(a)(1) – Resisting arrest without violence
FAQs
Pretrial diversion allows eligible individuals to complete treatment, counseling, or educational programs instead of being prosecuted. Successful completion often results in dismissal of charges, preventing a conviction.
Eligibility depends on the type of charge, prior criminal history, mental health or substance use needs, trauma, and willingness to comply with treatment. First-time and low-level offenders are commonly approved.
The county uses several diversion pathways:
PC 1000 – Drug Diversion
PC 1001.36 – Mental Health Diversion
PC 1001.95 – Judicial Misdemeanor Diversion
ETS helps determine which program best fits your circumstances.
Programs typically last 6 to 24 months, depending on the charge, the court’s expectations, and the participant’s progress.
In most cases, yes. Successful completion usually results in dismissal of charges, preventing a conviction from appearing on your record.
Yes. Diversion plans are designed to accommodate work, school, and family schedules whenever possible.
Non-compliance can result in removal from diversion and reinstatement of prosecution. ETS helps clients stay on track with reminders, coordination, and regular communication with treatment providers.
Contra Costa County courts typically request:
Attendance logs
Therapist progress notes
Toxicology results (if applicable)
Monthly compliance reports
Completion certificates
ETS prepares and submits all required documentation.
Yes. ETS collaborates directly with defense attorneys by providing clinical evaluations, treatment recommendations, and progress updates to strengthen diversion motions and support dismissal.
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