{"id":2543,"date":"2026-03-25T12:27:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T12:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/?p=2543"},"modified":"2026-03-27T10:39:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:39:01","slug":"harris-countys-divert-program-do-you-qualify-a-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/harris-countys-divert-program-do-you-qualify-a-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Harris County&#8217;s DIVERT Program: Do You Qualify? A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-46ef83a{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-971ca62:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background) > .elementor-widget-wrap, .elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-971ca62 > .elementor-widget-wrap > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{background-color:#F4F4F4;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-971ca62 > .elementor-element-populated{transition:background 0.3s, border 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;margin:0px 010px 0px 010px;--e-column-margin-right:010px;--e-column-margin-left:010px;padding:20px 20px 20px 20px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-971ca62 > .elementor-element-populated > .elementor-background-overlay{transition:background 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, opacity 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f5251d9 .elementor-icon-list-icon i{color:#0A855C;transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f5251d9 .elementor-icon-list-icon svg{fill:#0A855C;transition:fill 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f5251d9{--e-icon-list-icon-size:14px;--icon-vertical-offset:0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f5251d9 .elementor-icon-list-item > .elementor-icon-list-text, .elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f5251d9 .elementor-icon-list-item > a{font-size:22px;font-weight:600;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f5251d9 .elementor-icon-list-text{transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-items:not(.elementor-inline-items) .elementor-icon-list-item:not(:last-child){padding-block-end:calc(7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-items:not(.elementor-inline-items) .elementor-icon-list-item:not(:first-child){margin-block-start:calc(7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-items.elementor-inline-items .elementor-icon-list-item{margin-inline:calc(7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-items.elementor-inline-items{margin-inline:calc(-7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-items.elementor-inline-items .elementor-icon-list-item:after{inset-inline-end:calc(-7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-icon i{color:#0A855C;transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-icon svg{fill:#0A855C;transition:fill 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd{--e-icon-list-icon-size:14px;--icon-vertical-align:flex-start;--icon-vertical-offset:8px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-717dfbd .elementor-icon-list-text{transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-fe5dd72:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background) > .elementor-widget-wrap, .elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-fe5dd72 > .elementor-widget-wrap > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{background-color:#F4F4F4;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-fe5dd72 > .elementor-element-populated{transition:background 0.3s, border 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;margin:0px 010px 0px 010px;--e-column-margin-right:010px;--e-column-margin-left:010px;padding:20px 20px 20px 20px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-fe5dd72 > .elementor-element-populated > .elementor-background-overlay{transition:background 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, opacity 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-8445381 .elementor-icon-list-icon i{color:#A71113;transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-8445381 .elementor-icon-list-icon svg{fill:#A71113;transition:fill 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-8445381{--e-icon-list-icon-size:14px;--icon-vertical-offset:0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-8445381 .elementor-icon-list-item > .elementor-icon-list-text, .elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-8445381 .elementor-icon-list-item > a{font-size:22px;font-weight:600;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-8445381 .elementor-icon-list-text{transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-items:not(.elementor-inline-items) .elementor-icon-list-item:not(:last-child){padding-block-end:calc(7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-items:not(.elementor-inline-items) .elementor-icon-list-item:not(:first-child){margin-block-start:calc(7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-items.elementor-inline-items .elementor-icon-list-item{margin-inline:calc(7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-items.elementor-inline-items{margin-inline:calc(-7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-items.elementor-inline-items .elementor-icon-list-item:after{inset-inline-end:calc(-7px\/2);}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-icon i{color:#A71113;transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-icon svg{fill:#A71113;transition:fill 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668{--e-icon-list-icon-size:14px;--icon-vertical-align:flex-start;--icon-vertical-offset:2px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4e9a668 .elementor-icon-list-text{transition:color 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1a0d8b5{padding:020px 0px 0px 0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-61948e4{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-b6a241d:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background) > .elementor-widget-wrap, .elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-b6a241d > .elementor-widget-wrap > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{background-color:#F4F4F4;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-b6a241d > .elementor-element-populated{transition:background 0.3s, border 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;--e-column-margin-right:0px;--e-column-margin-left:0px;padding:20px 20px 20px 20px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-b6a241d > .elementor-element-populated > .elementor-background-overlay{transition:background 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, opacity 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6926a08{padding:020px 0px 0px 0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-7115860{margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19702b2.elementor-column > .elementor-widget-wrap{justify-content:center;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19702b2:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background) > .elementor-widget-wrap, .elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19702b2 > .elementor-widget-wrap > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{background-color:var( --e-global-color-primary );}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19702b2 > .elementor-element-populated{transition:background 0.3s, border 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;--e-column-margin-right:0px;--e-column-margin-left:0px;padding:30px 30px 30px 30px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19702b2 > .elementor-element-populated > .elementor-background-overlay{transition:background 0.3s, border-radius 0.3s, opacity 0.3s;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f722aed{text-align:center;color:var( --e-global-color-8a7e426 );width:var( --container-widget-width, 71% );max-width:71%;--container-widget-width:71%;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f722aed > .elementor-widget-container{margin:0px 0px 025px 0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-7fe27cd .elementor-button-content-wrapper{flex-direction:row-reverse;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-7fe27cd .elementor-button .elementor-button-content-wrapper{gap:6px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-7fe27cd .elementor-button{padding:15px 15px 15px 15px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-7fe27cd > .elementor-widget-container{margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;}@media(max-width:1024px){.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-f722aed{--container-widget-width:588px;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;width:var( --container-widget-width, 588px );max-width:588px;}}@media(max-width:767px){.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-971ca62 > .elementor-element-populated{margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;--e-column-margin-right:0px;--e-column-margin-left:0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-fe5dd72 > .elementor-element-populated{margin:20px 0px 0px 0px;--e-column-margin-right:0px;--e-column-margin-left:0px;}.elementor-2543 .elementor-element.elementor-element-7fe27cd .elementor-button{font-size:14px;}}<\/style>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2543\" class=\"elementor elementor-2543\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-df0b9f8 Blog-cont elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"df0b9f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42d189b\" data-id=\"42d189b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da5672f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da5672f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For first-time drug offenders in Harris County, DIVERT may be the most important program you&#8217;ve never heard of. Complete it successfully and your charges are dismissed \u2014 and you may be eligible to expunge the arrest entirely. Here&#8217;s exactly how it works and who can access it.<\/p><h2>What Is DIVERT?<\/h2><p>DIVERT stands for Drug Intervention, Verification, Education, Rehabilitation and Treatment. It is a pre-trial diversion program operated by the Harris County District Attorney&#8217;s Office for certain first-time offenders charged with drug possession offenses. Rather than proceeding through the traditional criminal court process \u2014 arraignment, discovery, potential trial, and sentencing \u2014 eligible defendants complete a structured program of assessment, treatment, education, and community service.<\/p><p>Upon successful completion of DIVERT, the DA&#8217;s office dismisses the criminal charge. There is no conviction, no plea, no record of guilt \u2014 just a dismissal. And because the charges were dismissed rather than resolved through deferred adjudication or conviction, the arrest can subsequently be expunged under Texas law after the applicable waiting period.<\/p><p>For a first-time defendant facing a drug possession charge in Harris County, this is often the best possible outcome available \u2014 not just a reduced sentence, but no record at all.<\/p><h2>Who Is Eligible for DIVERT?<\/h2><p>DIVERT eligibility is determined by the DA&#8217;s office and is not automatic. Your attorney plays a critical role in identifying your eligibility and ensuring you are considered for the program. The general eligibility criteria are:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-46ef83a Blog-cont elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"46ef83a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_to&quot;:&quot;widget&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_disable_on_tablet&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_disable_on_mobile&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-971ca62\" data-id=\"971ca62\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5251d9 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"f5251d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Generally Eligible<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-717dfbd elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"717dfbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">First-time offender \u2014 no significant prior criminal history<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Charged with possession only (not delivery, manufacturing, or trafficking)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Charge involves Penalty Group 1, 2, 3, or marijuana in possession quantities<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">No prior participation in DIVERT or a similar diversion program<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Willing to complete assessment, treatment, education, and community service<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">No concurrent violent charges or firearm charges in the same case<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fe5dd72\" data-id=\"fe5dd72\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8445381 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"8445381\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-cancel\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Generally Not Eligible<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e9a668 elementor-align-start elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"4e9a668\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-cancel\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Charged with delivery, distribution, or drug trafficking (any amount)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-cancel\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Significant prior criminal convictions or deferred adjudications<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-cancel\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Prior participation in DIVERT or similar court-supervised diversion<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-cancel\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Active charges involving assault, weapons, or other violent offenses<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-cancel\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Evidence of dealing (large amounts, scales, baggies, large cash)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-cancel\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Unwillingness or inability to complete program requirements<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1a0d8b5 Blog-cont elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1a0d8b5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0d2303a\" data-id=\"0d2303a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f8622f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f8622f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What DIVERT Requires<\/h2><p>The DIVERT program is not a get-out-of-jail-free card \u2014 it requires genuine participation and completion. Program requirements typically include:<\/p><ul><li>Substance use assessment: An evaluation by a licensed substance abuse professional to determine treatment needs<\/li><li>Treatment participation: Completion of any treatment recommended by the assessment \u2014 ranging from outpatient counseling to more intensive programming depending on the assessment findings<\/li><li>Drug education: Completion of required drug awareness and education courses<\/li><li>Community service: A set number of community service hours as required by the program<\/li><li>Supervision fees: Administrative fees associated with program participation<\/li><li>Random drug testing: Compliance with periodic testing during the program period<\/li><li>No new criminal charges: Participants must remain arrest-free during the program<\/li><\/ul><p><br \/>The program timeline varies depending on assessment results and treatment needs, but most participants complete DIVERT within several months to a year. Upon completion, all requirements are certified to the DA&#8217;s office and the charge is dismissed.<\/p><h2>The THC Vape Trap: A Growing DIVERT Issue in Harris County<\/h2><p>One of the fastest-growing categories of drug charges in Harris County involves THC concentrates \u2014 specifically vape cartridges, wax, shatter, and edibles made with concentrated THC. Unlike marijuana flower, THC concentrates are classified under Texas Penalty Group 2, not under the Marijuana statute. This means that even a small amount of a THC vape cartridge is a State Jail Felony \u2014 not a misdemeanor.<\/p><p>This matters for DIVERT because DIVERT is available for felony possession charges \u2014 including State Jail Felonies. Many people arrested with a single vape cartridge, who have never been in trouble before, are excellent DIVERT candidates. The problem is that without an attorney advocating for DIVERT consideration, defendants are sometimes processed through the standard felony track and never offered the program.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-61948e4 Blog-cont elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"61948e4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_to&quot;:&quot;widget&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_disable_on_tablet&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_disable_on_mobile&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b6a241d\" data-id=\"b6a241d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb6fadc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb6fadc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>DIVERT is not automatic \u2014 it must be requested.<\/h3><p>Not every eligible defendant is automatically referred to DIVERT. The process requires your attorney to identify eligibility, communicate with the DA&#8217;s office, and actively advocate for your participation. A defendant without an attorney \u2014 or with an attorney unfamiliar with DIVERT \u2014 may never be offered the program even if they clearly qualify.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6926a08 Blog-cont elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6926a08\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-afb58b3\" data-id=\"afb58b3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a27787c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a27787c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>DIVERT and Immigration: A Critical Limitation<\/h2><p>For non-citizens facing drug possession charges, DIVERT is a critically important option \u2014 but it does not eliminate all immigration risk.<\/p><p>Under federal immigration law, a drug-related offense \u2014 even a dismissal \u2014 may still affect immigration proceedings in some contexts. Specifically, an arrest for a drug offense can appear in immigration records and may be asked about on immigration applications. A dismissed charge is generally not a &#8220;conviction&#8221; for immigration purposes, but it can raise issues during USCIS adjudications and may require explanation in immigration proceedings.<\/p><p>More importantly, the decision to enter DIVERT must be analyzed through a crimmigration lens before participation. If DIVERT requires any admission or acknowledgment of drug-related conduct that could be used in an immigration proceeding, that admission needs to be carefully structured. An attorney who handles both criminal defense and crimmigration can ensure the DIVERT process is navigated in a way that maximizes protection in both systems simultaneously.<\/p><h2>After DIVERT: The Expunction Process<\/h2><p>Once your charges are dismissed through DIVERT, the next step \u2014 which your attorney should already be planning for \u2014 is expunction. The waiting period before filing depends on the type of charge that was originally filed:<\/p><ul><li>Class C misdemeanor: 180 days from the date of arrest<\/li><li>Class A or B misdemeanor: 1 year from the date of arrest<\/li><li>Felony (including State Jail Felony): 3 years from the date of arrest<\/li><\/ul><p><br \/>After the waiting period has elapsed and no new charges have been filed, you can petition for expunction of the arrest record. After a successful expunction, you can legally deny the arrest occurred \u2014 in job applications, housing applications, and any other context where it might appear.<\/p><p>The path from arrest to clean record \u2014 for a first-time drug possession defendant in Harris County who qualifies for DIVERT \u2014 is real and achievable. But it requires active legal representation at every step: getting into DIVERT in the first place, completing it successfully, and then following through with the expunction process afterward.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7115860 Blog-cont elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7115860\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_to&quot;:&quot;widget&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_disable_on_tablet&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_disable_on_mobile&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-19702b2\" data-id=\"19702b2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f722aed elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f722aed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Facing Drug Charges in Harris County?<\/span><\/h2><p>Free, confidential consultation. We&#8217;ll evaluate DIVERT eligibility, constitutional defenses, and every available path toward protecting your record.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fe27cd elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"7fe27cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"tel:(832)%20202%20-%208409\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"jki jki-arrow-up-right-line\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Llame Ahora: (832) 202-8409<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For first-time drug offenders in Harris County, DIVERT may be the most important program you&#8217;ve never heard of. Complete it successfully and your charges are dismissed \u2014 and you may be eligible to expunge the arrest entirely. Here&#8217;s exactly how it works and who can access it. What Is DIVERT? DIVERT stands for Drug Intervention, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2543"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2808,"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2543\/revisions\/2808"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/salinasdefense.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}