Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ) is designed for a population of drug offenders, who enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere ("no contest") to legally-specified drug-related charges. The offenders are ordered to participate in a program of drug education and counseling. Offenders successfully completing DEJ benefit from having their plea withdrawn and case dismissed at the end of their term of DEJ. They are also placed on DEJ probation, usually for 12-18 months, during which their performance is monitored by a DEJ Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) (one DPO in the South San Francisco office and one in the Redwood City office). The DPOs monitor treatment progress and any new arrests. They report their findings to the Court and recommend potential court actions.
Diversion/Assembly Bill (AB) 208
On January 1, 2018, AB 208 Diversion replaced DEJ. In many ways, the procedure for AB 208 Diversion remains the same as DEJ, with the biggest difference being that the offender no longer pleas nolo contendere when granted entry in the AB-208 Diversion program. Offenders successfully completing AB 208 Diversion benefit from having their case dismissed at the end of their term of AB 208 Diversion.
If you have questions about a court case, contact the San Mateo County Courts.
If you want to know which Deputy Probation Officer is assigned to your adult case, call (650) 363-4244.
If you want to know which Deputy Probation Officer is assigned to your juvenile case, call (650) 312-8807.