Inside North Dakota’s new diversion and reentry programs

New diversion and reentry programs aimed at steering some low-level cases away from the courts are beginning to take shape in North Dakota after a slow rollout.

In this episode of The Backstory, reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on two bills passed during the last legislative session. One created pilot diversion programs designed to steer some low-level cases away from the traditional court process, while another provides grants to counties to strengthen programs that help people reenter society after serving time in jail or prison.

“What happens when somebody is arrested for or cited for a low-level violation, something where there’s no violence involved, that can be remedied without going through the full judicial process?” Standaert said.

The diversion program, created through House Bill 1425, provides funding to Cass, Grand Forks and Stark counties to test different approaches. In some cases, people cited for minor offenses such as a suspended license or low-level possession may be connected with services, such as substance-use treatment or help resolving licensing issues, instead of moving through the full judicial process. If participants complete the required steps, the citation or arrest may ultimately be cleared.

The rollout has taken time as counties work to find organizations that can serve as navigators for the programs and coordinate between law enforcement, prosecutors and service providers. Officials say the goal is to intervene early, connect people with help, and prevent minor violations from turning into a cycle of repeated offenses that can carry higher costs for individuals and communities.

The programs are still in their early stages, with only a handful of cases beginning to move through the system. Standaert said it will likely take time before lawmakers and local officials can evaluate whether the pilot efforts are reducing repeat offenses and improving outcomes.