Restorative Justice Diversion is an alternative to court

It is a voluntary process for “making things right” with those who have been affected by your ordinance violation. It involves one or more meetings or group sessions, depending on your offense.

Benefits of Restorative Justice

• Be part of deciding consequences for your behavior
• Own up to what you did, and take care of it directly with those harmed
• Repair relationships
• Avoid court record if you successfully complete the diversion process
• Costs are typically less than court

To participate in this voluntary program, call Center for Restorative Programs (CRP) at 719-589-5255
You may also visit the CRP Office at 716 Main Street, Alamosa, CO 81101

An appointment will be set to discuss program details and costs, and to determine your eligibility for Diversion.

Why choose a restorative justice approach?

“I fixed the harm I created and got a second chance.”
“It helped me realize how serious my behavior could have been.”
“We actually get along now.”

If you do NOT contact Center for Restorative Programs within ten (10) days, YOU MUST APPEAR AT COURT IMMEDIATELY UPON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE 10TH DAY HAS PASSED TO CONTACT CRP OR A WARRANT MAY BE ISSUED.

If you choose to go to court, you may be sentenced with fines, costs and other requirements.

You may be eligible to receive an agreement for a deferred sentence, unless you are currently on a deferred, have had a deferred within the last three years or have criminal violations or traffic violations with significant point assessments on your record within three years. If you hold a CDL and have a traffic violation, you are not eligible for a deferred. If you are interested in a deferred, contact Desiree Cortez, Legal Assistant, to start the process. 

If the deferred sentence agreement is granted, and is approved by the judge, you will pay a fee to the Court (fine + costs), be required to take a defensive driving class (if a traffic violation, and at your own expense) and have no violations of the law, including traffic violations of more than 4 points, during the deferment, which is for a period of one year. The conviction, and points, will not be reported to the State as long as you complete the conditions of the deferred. After the successful completion of a deferred, the case will be dismissed.

Restitution means any pecuniary loss suffered by a victim and includes but is not limited to all out-of-pocket expenses, interest, loss of use of money, anticipated future expenses, money advanced by law enforcement agencies, and other losses or injuries proximately caused by an offender's conduct and that can be reasonably calculated and recompensed in money.

"Restitution" does not include damages for physical or mental pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of future earnings, or punitive damages.

Restitution Request Form

Our office will mail you a form requesting a summary of out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the crime in which you were a victim. If you did not receive a form and your case has either gone to trial or the accused has pled guilty or no contest and you believe you are owed restitution, please contact us as soon as possible.  Restitution must be requested within 91 days from the date of conviction.  Please save all bills and receipts because we may need to show the court a complete record of your expenses. There is no guarantee you will receive restitution. The city is not responsible for providing restitution. If restitution is ordered by the court, it is provided by the defendant in your case. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the City Prosecutor’s administrator at 719-587-2509.

1. You may make arrangements through RMS (correct name, contact information, web link). There is a fee associated with registering with RMS to offset administrative costs.
2. If indigent, you may complete an application for determination of indigency. There is sometimes grant money available to cover the RMS fee.  Otherwise, useful public service may be performed through the City’s cleanup program at St. Benedict’s Campground.