(a) An offender who enters into a pretrial diversion program established under this division shall be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction and shall satisfy each of the following requirements:

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 12-17-226.5

  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • writing: includes typewriting and printing on paper. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) Voluntarily waive, in writing, his or her right to a speedy trial.
(2) Agree, in writing, to the tolling of periods of limitations established by statutes or rules of court while in the program.
(3) If applicable, waive, in writing, his or her right to a jury trial.
(b) Prior to entering into any agreement or seeking entry into a pretrial diversion program created pursuant to this division, an offender must be represented by counsel or waive his or her right to have counsel before a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction. If the offender is indigent, nothing in this division shall prevent the court from appointing counsel to represent an offender.
(c) An offender who enters a pretrial diversion program pursuant to this division shall reasonably be informed of the cost of the administration fee and, as practicable as possible, any other costs that will be required for the offender to pay for participation in the program. Restitution, or portions thereof, may be left open where amounts are difficult to determine or, due to the nature of the harm, may increase or decrease over the period.
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