Diversion Programs

Pre-Trial Intervention

 

   Anderson                                                           Oconee

864-260-4042                                           864-718-1072

 

 

What is Pre-Trial Intervention?

PTI is a diversionary program created by the South Carolina Legislature in 1980. It is designed for offenders charged with certain general sessions, magistrate, and municipal court non-violent crimes who have no significant criminal history. This legislation allows the qualified offenders to be diverted from court. The individual is placed in a program which consists of counseling, education, community service, restitution, drug testing, prison tours, and/or other such requirements. Successful completion of the program requirements allows the offender's arrest record to be expunged (destroyed). The goal of the program is to break the criminal behavior cycle by providing intervention with the aim of reducing recidivism. Offenders may participate in this program only one time. PTI is a self-supporting program under the control and supervision of the Tenth Circuit Solicitor's Office and is supported through cooperation of judicial, law enforcement, and community services agencies.

 

Who is eligible for Pre-Trial Intervention ?

The Pre-Trial Intervention Act of 1980 states that PTI shall be appropriate where:

* Justice will be served by placing the offender in an intervention program
* The needs of the state and the offender will be better served outside the traditional criminal justice process
* The offender poses no threat to the community
* The offender is unlikely to be involved in further criminal activity
* The offender is likely to respond to rehabilitative treatment
* The offender has no significant prior record

 

HOW DOES PTI WORK? 

 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

-EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION
Applicants must verify employment and/or education by submitting a current check stub, statement from the employer, class schedule, or school identification. If an applicant is disabled the disability must be verified. 

-COURT OBSERVATION
Applicants may be required to attend court. The case manager will arrange the specific dates and times for court observation. 

-REPORT ON THE LAW
Each applicant must complete a report on the law they violated. A copy of the law and a report must be submitted. The report must include an overall summary of what the law states, the fines and sentences that apply, and a general explanation of what happened when the offender was arrested. 

-DRUG TEST
Applicants may be randomly tested while in PTI. A negative drug test result is required in order for successful completion. 

-COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK
Applicants are required to complete up to 50 hours of community service work at a non-profit organization. Hours will be verified by the organization. 

-COUNSELING
All applicants must complete a counseling program. Counseling requirements will be determined by the solicitor, law enforcement, and the PTI staff. 

-ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS OR NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Applicants may be required to attend AA or NA. Attendance must be verified by AA or NA sponsors. 

-PRISON TOUR OR GET SMART PRESENTATION
Each applicant must attend either the prison tour or Get Smart presentation. Get Smart is a program where inmates give an account of how they ended up in prison. 

-RESTITUTION
Applicants are required to pay restitution. Restitution is determined by the prosecuting solicitor based on information received from the victim, the arresting agency, and statutory guidelines.

 

PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION OFFICE
Anderson County Office

Physical Address: Anderson County Courthouse, 100 S Main St., Anderson, SC 29624

Mailing Address: PO Box 8002, Anderson, sC 29622

Phone: 864-260-4042    Fax 864-260-1030

 

Oconee County Office

Physical Address: Oconee County Courthouse, 205 W. Main St., Walhalla, SC 29691

Mailing Address: 415 S. Pine St., Walhalla, SC 29691

Phone: 864-718-1072          Fax 864-638-4295

 

 Our office also has diversion programs for the Traffic Education Program (TEP)  and Alcohol Education Program (AEP). For qualifications or additional information please contact one of the county offices listed above. You may also find additional information in the SC Code of Laws at this link: SC Code of Laws pertaining to Diversion Programs. Please note that these laws are subject to change each year. 


 

                                       EXPUNGEMENT INFORMATION

 

All Expungements are handled by PTI personnel at their respective offices. In Anderson, expungement applications are taken by appointment only. Please call the office at 864-260-4042 to schedule an appointment.

 

 

Applications are taken in Oconee during regular office hours (8:30-5 M-F). Please call ahead to ensure that someone is available to take your application as there is only one person in the Oconee PTI office.

 

***NOTE: Only Cashiers Checks and Money Orders accepted. No personal checks, credit cards or cash accepted.***