Youth diversion
The goal of the HCAO Youth Prosecution Division is to improve community safety and wellbeing through both individual and system accountability that leads to positive outcomes for youth, families, and our communities, while simultaneously centering victims and their healing.
The focus is on healing present harm and preventing future harm, as opposed to punishment. Youth diversion is a proven way to achieve this goal.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office partners with several community-based diversion service providers, including The Link, Restorative Justice Collaborative, Center for Multicultural Mediation, Kente Circle, and NorthPoint.
The Restorative Justice Collaborative comprises the following organizations:
See the University of Minnesota research that informed the new Youth Diversion Policy.