Opinion ID: 2066217
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: background of lancaster county pretrial diversion program

Text: Lacey, in his official capacity as Lancaster County Attorney, has established a pretrial diversion program pursuant to Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 29-3601 to 29-3603 (Reissue 1995). In addition, Lacey has established formal eligibility guidelines which have been reduced to writing as required by § 29-3603(1). Burglary is an eligible felony offense under the guidelines. The guidelines specifically state that the county attorney reserves the right to reject any applicant to the program whose offense is deemed too serious for the program. Section 29-3603(7) requires that defendants who are denied enrollment in a diversion program be afforded an administrative review of the decision and written reasons for denial. Lancaster County's diversion program guidelines specifically state that anyone denied admission to the program will be notified in writing by either the county attorney, city attorney, or diversion services of the decision and the reasons for denial. The guidelines further provide that if the defendant wants an administrative hearing, he or she must file written notice with the county attorney and diversion services. Administrative reviews are heard by local attorneys in private practice who have been appointed as hearing officers by the Lincoln Bar Association and have volunteered their services. The decision of the hearing officer is advisory and is not binding on the county attorney. The purpose of the hearing is limited to determining whether the county attorney's decision was arbitrary and capricious.