Pertaining to juvenile justice, A system of procedures and programs designed to channel certain youth away from the formal juvenile court process. States and localities have created various ways for first-time offenders, non-violent offenders, and youth whose delinquent behavior stems from mental health or substance abuse needs to receive appropriate treatment and services from community-based programs. Diversion programs hold youth accountable for their actions without burdening them with a juvenile record and the stigma of a delinquency label. (JLC.org)