Pre-trial diversion (PTD) is an alternative to prosecution offered exclusively by the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office. It provides offenders with a viable alternative to a criminal conviction, and allows them to make significant changes in their lives so that they can avoid further involvementwith the criminal justice system. Offenders enter the program voluntarily and in some cases before they make a court appearance.

Two session (6 hours each) Part 1: Designed for clients who display anger related behavior during the arrest or who are arrested for a crime where anger issues were evident. Clients are educated on strategies to help prevent future anger management problems. This course focuses on teaching the following interpersonal skill building, cognitive behavioral strategies, conflict resolution and impulse control.

One session (4 hours), designed for individuals charged with a weapon related offense. Florida law is discussed along with safety concerns. The individual is challenged to explore the behaviors that led to the arrest.

Two sessions (6 hours each) - The course is more comprehensive than the drug and alcohol course described below. This class is designed for clients who have been arrested for more than one drug or alcohol related offense. Facilitators educate clients in the direction of self-evaluation coupled with criminal and drug lifestyle issues. Additionally, a screening tool will be used to refer clients if necessary for a substance abuse evaluation along with a list of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meeting schedules.

One session: (8 hours), designed for clients who have been arrested for drug and alcohol related offenses. Facilitators educate clients in the direction of self-evaluation. Facilitators educate clients on the criteria for dependence and abuse according to DSM-IV guidelines. Additionally, recommendations are provided for clients who appear to display signs that indicate a risk for present or future drug or alcohol related problems.

One or Two sessions -- Designed for clients who have been arrested for minor alcohol or drug related offenses. This course focuses on beliefs and attitudes regarding alcohol/drug use and abuse. Laws regarding alcohol/drug use will be discussed, as well as the impact of the behavior leading to the arrest.

One or two sessions (8 hours total), designed to focus on skill building techniques to help improve parenting skills. Clients explore beliefs and attitudes that influence their current parenting practices.

One Session: (5 hours), this course is more comprehensive than the values course described above. The course is designed for clients who have been charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses. The course is appropriate for defendants who have more than one previous arrest. The course will focus on identifying criminal thinking patterns coupled with providing strategies on how to prevent future criminal behavior.

One session (4 hours): Designed for clients having been arrested for a felonious offense. This course focuses on beliefs and attitudes regarding their criminal behavior. Laws regarding theft will be discussed, as well as the impact of the decision making skills and behavior leading to the arrest.

One session (4 hours), this course is designed for individuals charged with: boating, fishing and wildlife offenses. Florida law is discussed along with behaviors and beliefs that have led to violating Florida law.

One Session (5 hours), designed for clients who have been charged with retail theft. Clients explore the beliefs and attitudes that support the behaviors that led to the arrest. Clients are challenged to accept responsibility for their behavior and are educated on strategies to help prevent future criminal behavior.

One session (4 hours): Designed for clients having been cited for driving without a valid State of Florida Driver's License. This course focuses on beliefs and attitudes regarding driving without a State of Florida Driver's License. Laws regarding driving legally will be discussed, as well as the impact of the decision making skills and behavior leading to the citation. Emphasis will be placed on assisting eligible clients to obtain a valid driver's license.

• Interpersonal skill building
• Cognitive behavioral strategies
• Conflict resolution
• Impulse control

One session (2 hours) facilitated by a certified HIV instructor. Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is discussed, as well as behaviors and attitudes that lead to risk taking behavior.

One session -- Conducted by an HIV instructor, this course focuses on the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS awareness, the use of condoms and their effectiveness, as well as behaviors and attitudes that lead to risk-taking behavior.