Philadelphia Diversion Programs - Accelerated Misdemeanor Program

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has developed various pre-trial “diversion programs” to preserve judicial resources and provide an alternative course than the typical trial track (arraignment, preliminary hearing, trial, sentencing) for certain offenders charged with both misdemeanor offenses and felony offenses.

There are two Accelerated Misdemeanor Programs available in Philadelphia, AMP 1 and AMP 2.

AMP 1 is geared towards non-violent first time offenders whom have been charged with a misdemeanor. The defendant is not required to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty to be admitted into this program. Defendants who are accepted are required to complete 12 or 18 hours of community service and pay court costs. Upon successful completion of the AMP I program, the defendant is eligible to have the charges expunged.

AMP 2 is geared towards non-violent offenders whom have been charged with a misdemeanor and have a recent history of non-violent prior arrests and a limited number of convictions. According to the District Attorney’s Office, “the defendant is offered a negotiated stipulated trial with a disposition of guilty or admission into the Section 17 or Section 18 programs without entering a guilty plea.” Defendants whom are accepted are required to complete community service or a dependency treatment program (drug, alcohol, mental health) and pay court costs. Upon successful completion of the AMP 2 program, the defendant may be eligible to have the charges expunged if the case was disposed of via Section 17 or Section 18.

If you have been charged with felony or misdemeanor offenses, call Wimmer Criminal Defense at (215) 712-1212 to talk about options for your case. You may be eligible for a diversion program or your case may be one that should be fought tooth and nail. Either way, we’ll sit down, review the evidence, and come up with the best option for you. When your life and future are at stake, don’t take chance. Call Philadelphia criminal defense attorney Lauren Wimmer for a free consultation today.