IC 11-12-3.7
Chapter 3.7. Forensic Diversion Program
IC 11-12-3.7-1
"Addictive disorder"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "addictive disorder" means a
diagnosable chronic substance use disorder of sufficient duration to
meet diagnostic criteria within the most recent edition of the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by
the American Psychiatric Association.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.
IC 11-12-3.7-2
"Advisory board"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "advisory board" means a:
(1) community corrections advisory board, if there is one in the
county; or
(2) forensic diversion program advisory board, if there is not a
community corrections advisory board in the county.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.
IC 11-12-3.7-3
"Drug dealing offense"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "drug dealing offense" means one
(1) or more of the following offenses:
(1) Dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug (IC 35-48-4-1), unless
the person received only minimal consideration as a result of
the drug transaction.
(2) Dealing in methamphetamine (IC 35-48-4-1.1), unless the
person received only minimal consideration as a result of the
drug transaction.
(3) Dealing in a schedule I, II, III, IV, or V controlled substance
(IC 35-48-4-2 through IC 35-48-4-4), unless the person received
only minimal consideration as a result of the drug transaction.
(4) Dealing in marijuana, hash oil, or hashish (IC 35-48-4-10),
unless the person received only minimal consideration as a
result of the drug transaction.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.151-2006, SEC.5.
IC 11-12-3.7-4
"Forensic diversion program"
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "forensic diversion program"
means a program designed to provide an adult:
(1) who has a mental illness, an addictive disorder, or both a
mental illness and an addictive disorder; and
(2) who has been charged with a crime that is not a violent
offense;
an opportunity to receive community treatment and other services
addressing mental health and addiction instead of or in addition to
incarceration.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.192-2007, SEC.4.
IC 11-12-3.7-5
"Mental illness"
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "mental illness" means a
psychiatric disorder that is of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic
criteria within the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American
Psychiatric Association.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.
IC 11-12-3.7-6
"Violent offense"
Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "violent offense" means one (1) or
more of the following offenses:
(1) Murder (IC 35-42-1-1).
(2) Attempted murder (IC 35-41-5-1).
(3) Voluntary manslaughter (IC 35-42-1-3).
(4) Involuntary manslaughter (IC 35-42-1-4).
(5) Reckless homicide (IC 35-42-1-5).
(6) Aggravated battery (IC 35-42-2-1.5).
(7) Battery (IC 35-42-2-1) as a Class A felony, Class B felony,
or Class C felony.
(8) Kidnapping (IC 35-42-3-2).
(9) A sex crime listed in IC 35-42-4-1 through IC 35-42-4-8 that
is a Class A felony, Class B felony, or Class C felony.
(10) Sexual misconduct with a minor (IC 35-42-4-9) as a Class
A felony or Class B felony.
(11) Incest (IC 35-46-1-3).
(12) Robbery as a Class A felony or a Class B felony (IC
35-42-5-1).
(13) Burglary as a Class A felony or a Class B felony (IC
35-43-2-1).
(14) Carjacking (IC 35-42-5-2).
(15) Assisting a criminal as a Class C felony (IC 35-44-3-2).
(16) Escape (IC 35-44-3-5) as a Class B felony or Class C
felony.
(17) Trafficking with an inmate as a Class C felony (IC
35-44-3-9).
(18) Causing death when operating a motor vehicle (IC
9-30-5-5).
(19) Criminal confinement (IC 35-42-3-3) as a Class B felony.
(20) Arson (IC 35-43-1-1) as a Class A or Class B felony.
(21) Possession, use, or manufacture of a weapon of mass
destruction (IC 35-47-12-1).
(22) Terroristic mischief (IC 35-47-12-3) as a Class B felony.
(23) Hijacking or disrupting an aircraft (IC 35-47-6-1.6).
(24) A violation of IC 35-47.5 (Controlled explosives) as a
Class A or Class B felony.
(25) A crime under the laws of another jurisdiction, including
a military court, that is substantially similar to any of the
offenses listed in this subdivision.
(26) Any other crimes evidencing a propensity or history of
violence.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.
IC 11-12-3.7-7
Advisory board's duty to develop a plan
Sec. 7. (a) An advisory board shall develop a forensic diversion
plan to provide an adult who:
(1) has a mental illness, an addictive disorder, or both a mental
illness and an addictive disorder; and
(2) has been charged with a crime that is not a violent crime;
an opportunity, pre-conviction or post-conviction, to receive
community treatment and other services addressing mental health
and addictions instead of or in addition to incarceration.
(b) The forensic diversion plan may include any combination of
the following program components:
(1) Pre-conviction diversion for adults with mental illness.
(2) Pre-conviction diversion for adults with addictive disorders.
(3) Post-conviction diversion for adults with mental illness.
(4) Post-conviction diversion for adults with addictive
disorders.
(c) In developing a plan, the advisory board must consider the
ability of existing programs and resources within the community,
including:
(1) a problem solving court established under IC 33-23-16;
(2) a court alcohol and drug program certified under
IC 12-23-14-13;
(3) treatment providers certified by the division of mental health
and addiction under IC 12-23-1-6 or IC 12-21-2-3(a)(5); and
(4) other public and private agencies.
(d) Development of a forensic diversion program plan under this
chapter or IC 11-12-2-3 does not require implementation of a
forensic diversion program.
(e) The advisory board may:
(1) operate the program;
(2) contract with existing public or private agencies to operate
one (1) or more components of the program; or
(3) take any combination of actions under subdivisions (1) or
(2).
(f) Any treatment services provided under the forensic diversion
program:
(1) for addictions must be provided by an entity that is certified
by the division of mental health and addiction under
IC 12-23-1-6; or
(2) for mental health must be provided by an entity that is:
(A) certified by the division of mental health and addiction
under IC 12-21-2-3(a)(5);
(B) accredited by an accrediting body approved by the
division of mental health and addiction; or
(C) licensed to provide mental health services under IC 25.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.192-2007, SEC.5;
P.L.108-2010, SEC.2.
IC 11-12-3.7-8
Request for treatment; tolling of speedy trial period
Sec. 8. (a) An individual may request treatment under this chapter
or the court may order an evaluation of the individual to determine
if the individual is an appropriate candidate for forensic diversion.
(b) A request for treatment or an order for an evaluation under this
chapter tolls the running of the speedy trial time period until the
court has made a determination of eligibility for the program under
this section.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.
IC 11-12-3.7-9
Periodic progress report; court order required for release from
program
Sec. 9. (a) A court shall be provided with periodic progress
reports on an individual who is ordered by the court to undergo
treatment in a forensic diversion program.
(b) A participant may not be released from a forensic diversion
program without a court order. The court must consider the
recommendation of the forensic diversion program before ordering
a participant's release.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.
IC 11-12-3.7-10
Forensic diversion advisory board; members
Sec. 10. (a) A county that does not have a community corrections
advisory board may form a forensic diversion advisory board.
(b) A forensic diversion advisory board formed under subsection
(a) shall consist of the following:
(1) A judge exercising criminal jurisdiction in the county.
(2) The head of the county public defender office, if there is one
in the county, or a criminal defense attorney who practices in
the county if there is not a county public defender office in the
county.
(3) The chief probation officer.
(4) The prosecuting attorney.
(5) The drug court judge or the designee of the drug court judge
if there is a certified drug court in the county.
(6) The supervising judge of the court alcohol and drug services
program or the designee of the supervising judge, if there is a
certified court alcohol and drug services program in the county.
(7) An individual who is certified or licensed as a substance
abuse professional.
(8) An individual who is certified or licensed as a mental health
professional.
(9) An individual with expertise in substance abuse or mental
health treatment.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.
IC 11-12-3.7-11
Eligibility for pre-conviction forensic diversion; advisements; stay
of entry of judgment; consequences of successful completion or
failure
Sec. 11. (a) A person is eligible to participate in a pre-conviction
forensic diversion program only if the person meets the following
criteria:
(1) The person has a mental illness, an addictive disorder, or
both a mental illness and an addictive disorder.
(2) The person has been charged with an offense that is:
(A) not a violent offense; and
(B) a Class A, B, or C misdemeanor, or a Class D felony that
may be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor in accordance
with IC 35-50-2-7.
(3) The person does not have a conviction for a violent offense
in the previous ten (10) years.
(4) The court has determined that the person is an appropriate
candidate to participate in a pre-conviction forensic diversion
program.
(5) The person has been accepted into a pre-conviction forensic
diversion program.
(b) Before an eligible person is permitted to participate in a
pre-conviction forensic diversion program, the court shall advise the
person of the following:
(1) Before the individual is permitted to participate in the
program, the individual will be required to enter a guilty plea to
the offense with which the individual has been charged.
(2) The court will stay entry of the judgment of conviction
during the time in which the individual is successfully
participating in the program. If the individual stops successfully
participating in the program, or does not successfully complete
the program, the court will lift its stay, enter a judgment of
conviction, and sentence the individual accordingly.
(3) If the individual participates in the program, the individual
may be required to remain in the program for a period not to
exceed three (3) years.
(4) During treatment the individual may be confined in an
institution, be released for treatment in the community, receive
supervised aftercare in the community, or may be required to
receive a combination of these alternatives.
(5) If the individual successfully completes the forensic
diversion program, the court will waive entry of the judgment
of conviction and dismiss the charges.
(6) The court shall determine, after considering a report from
the forensic diversion program, whether the individual is
successfully participating in or has successfully completed the
program.
(c) Before an eligible person may participate in a pre-conviction
forensic diversion program, the person must plead guilty to the
offense with which the person is charged.
(d) Before an eligible person may be admitted to a facility under
the control of the division of mental health and addiction, the
individual must be committed to the facility under IC 12-26.
(e) After the person has pleaded guilty, the court shall stay entry
of judgment of conviction and place the person in the pre-conviction
forensic diversion program for not more than:
(1) two (2) years, if the person has been charged with a
misdemeanor; or
(2) three (3) years, if the person has been charged with a felony.
(f) If, after considering the report of the forensic diversion
program, the court determines that the person has:
(1) failed to successfully participate in the forensic diversion
program, or failed to successfully complete the program, the
court shall lift its stay, enter judgment of conviction, and
sentence the person accordingly; or
(2) successfully completed the forensic diversion program, the
court shall waive entry of the judgment of conviction and
dismiss the charges.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.192-2007, SEC.6.
IC 11-12-3.7-12
Eligibility for post-conviction forensic diversion; probation;
nonsuspendible sentences; consequences of successful or
unsuccessful participation
Sec. 12. (a) A person is eligible to participate in a post-conviction
forensic diversion program only if the person meets the following
criteria:
(1) The person has a mental illness, an addictive disorder, or
both a mental illness and an addictive disorder.
(2) The person has been convicted of an offense that is:
(A) not a violent offense; and
(B) not a drug dealing offense.
(3) The person does not have a conviction for a violent offense
in the previous ten (10) years.
(4) The court has determined that the person is an appropriate
candidate to participate in a post-conviction forensic diversion
program.
(5) The person has been accepted into a post-conviction
forensic diversion program.
(b) If the person meets the eligibility criteria described in
subsection (a) and has been convicted of an offense that may be
suspended, the court may:
(1) suspend all or a portion of the person's sentence;
(2) place the person on probation for the suspended portion of
the person's sentence; and
(3) require as a condition of probation that the person
successfully participate in and successfully complete the
post-conviction forensic diversion program.
(c) If the person meets the eligibility criteria described in
subsection (a) and has been convicted of an offense that is
nonsuspendible, the court may:
(1) order the execution of the nonsuspendible sentence; and
(2) stay execution of all or part of the nonsuspendible portion
of the sentence pending the person's successful participation in
and successful completion of the post-conviction forensic
diversion program.
The court shall treat the suspendible portion of a nonsuspendible
sentence in accordance with subsection (b).
(d) The person may be required to participate in the
post-conviction forensic diversion program for no more than:
(1) two (2) years, if the person has been charged with a
misdemeanor; or
(2) three (3) years, if the person has been charged with a felony.
The time periods described in this section only limit the amount of
time a person may spend in the forensic diversion program and do
not limit the amount of time a person may be placed on probation.
(e) If, after considering the report of the forensic diversion
program, the court determines that a person convicted of an offense
that may be suspended has failed to successfully participate in the
forensic diversion program, or has failed to successfully complete the
program, the court may do any of the following:
(1) Revoke the person's probation.
(2) Order all or a portion of the person's suspended sentence to
be executed.
(3) Modify the person's sentence.
(4) Order the person to serve all or a portion of the person's
suspended sentence in:
(A) a work release program established by the department
under IC 11-10-8 or IC 11-10-10; or
(B) a county work release program under IC 11-12-5.
(f) If, after considering the report of the forensic diversion
program, the court determines that a person convicted of a
nonsuspendible offense failed to successfully participate in the
forensic diversion, or failed to successfully complete the program,
the court may do any of the following:
(1) Lift its stay of execution of the nonsuspendible portion of
the sentence and remand the person to the department.
(2) Order the person to serve all or a portion of the
nonsuspendible portion of the sentence that is stayed in:
(A) a work release program established by the department
under IC 11-10-8 or IC 11-10-10; or
(B) a county work release program under IC 11-12-5.
(3) Modify the person's sentence.
However, if the person failed to successfully participate in the
forensic diversion program, or failed to successfully complete the
program while serving the suspendible portion of a nonsuspendible
sentence, the court may treat the suspendible portion of the sentence
in accordance with subsection (e).
(g) If, after considering the report of the forensic diversion
program, the court determines that a person convicted of a
nonsuspendible offense has successfully completed the program, the
court shall waive execution of the nonsuspendible portion of the
person's sentence.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.39-2006, SEC.1;
P.L.192-2007, SEC.7.
IC 11-12-3.7-13
Forensic diversion program account
Sec. 13. (a) As used in this section, "account" means the forensic
diversion program account established as an account within the state
general fund by subsection (b).
(b) The forensic diversion program account is established within
the state general fund to administer and carry out the purposes of this
chapter. The department shall administer the account.
(c) The expenses of administering the account shall be paid from
money in the account.
(d) The treasurer of state shall invest money in the account in the
same manner as other public money may be invested.
(e) Money in the account at the end of the state fiscal year does
not revert to the state general fund.
(f) The account consists of:
(1) amounts appropriated by the general assembly; and
(2) donations, grants, and money received from any other
source.
(g) The department shall adopt guidelines governing the
disbursement of funds to the advisory board to support the operation
of the forensic diversion program.
(h) There is annually appropriated to the department from the
account an amount sufficient to carry out the purposes of this
chapter.
As added by P.L.85-2004, SEC.3.