A measure that would help more juvenile offenders avoid arrest and the stained record that comes with it received its first favorable vote in the 2017 Legislature. Senate Bill 196 requires law enforcement officers to write civil citations or enroll minors in some type of diversion program when they are first-time offenders accused of certain misdemeanors like theft, criminal mischief, trespassing, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.
