Blog: Diversionary Programs

Facing Your First Disorderly Persons Charge in New Jersey? Can Conditional Dismissal Help You Avoid a Conviction?

Aug 28, 2026

You have never faced a criminal or disorderly persons case before, and now you have received a summons or complaint requiring you to appear in New Jersey Municipal Court. Maybe you were accused of leaving a store without paying for an item, getting into a fight, or causing a disturbance that led police to file a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons charge. Now you are trying to understand what the charge could mean for...

Understanding New Jersey’s Diversion Programs: A Second Chance for First-Time Offenders

Feb 5, 2025

For individuals facing criminal charges in New Jersey, the stress and uncertainty of potential prosecution can be overwhelming. However, New Jersey offers The Scardella Law Firm What Are Diversion Programs in New Jersey? Diversion programs in New Jersey are designed to give eligible individuals an opportunity to resolve their criminal charges outside the traditional court process. These programs focus on rehabilitation, education, and avoiding a conviction, particularly for first-time, non-violent offenders. Rather than going...