What is Oregon's Deferred Adjudication Program?

Humans are prone to making mistakes. People act out in the heat of the moment and may make decisions that are not in their best interests. In some cases, these decisions can result in criminal charges. Misdemeanor charges are common for less serious offenses. These can include shoplifting, petty-theft, simple assault, certain drug charges and traffic infractions.

When a person is charged with a misdemeanor, that person can still face penalties. In Oregon, the exact penalties vary based on the severity of the misdemeanor. If the accused person is facing a Class A misdemeanor, they could be sentenced to up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine. On the other hand, if the person is only charged with a Class C misdemeanor, then they can only be sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $1,250 fine.

In either case, the charge and the sentence can be added to the person's criminal record and make it difficult to participate in some activities. A criminal record can also increase the penalties for any crime that the person may face in the future.

The state of Oregon gives people the opportunity to avoid these penalties through the Deferred Adjudication Program (DAP). Through this program, people have the opportunity to get the charges they face dismissed. According to the Oregon Judicial Department, the DAP is available for certain misdemeanor charges. Through this program, those accused of these misdemeanor charges plead guilty to them. However, they also enroll in a correspondence program for a prescribed length of time.

If those enrolled in the DAP complete the requirements for the program, then the person will not be sentenced on the misdemeanor charges. In fact, successful completion of the program will result in the charges being dismissed. If a person fails to complete the program, however, the person will be sentenced on the charges that the person plead guilty to.

People should not use the information in this blog post as specific legal advice. An attorney should be consulted for a full understanding of people's legal rights when they are facing misdemeanor charges.