Pretrial diversion
“Petty criminals can walk, for a price” reads the headline in an article in today’s Indianapolis Star.
If you commit a minor crime like shoplifting in Marion County, you can essentially buy your way out of trouble and have the charges dismissed.
A pretrial diversion program — similar to ones in at least 76 other Indiana counties — permits people to pay a $150 administrative fee to erase the charges.
But for those who cannot afford the cost, a guilty plea or trial are the only choices.
