Which types of offenses qualify a juvenile for the First Offender Program?

• A. Felonies only
• B. Any offense
• C. Non-felony offenses not involving violence or weapons
• D. Violent felonies

Answer: (C)

The program is designed for first-time juvenile offenders who commit non-felony, non-violent offenses. It isn’t available for felonies or for offenses involving violence or weapons. The idea is to divert these youths from formal court proceedings by having them complete set requirements (like counseling, community service, or supervision), with the possibility of the case being dismissed if they meet the conditions. This helps youths receive remediation without the stigma of a formal delinquency adjudication, provided the offense is not serious or violent.