Pre-Trial Intervention Program
What is it?
Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) is a diversion program for first time criminal offenders. The program allows the participant to perform community service work, receive educational or counseling services, pay restitution to victims and return to society without a permanent criminal record. Only participants who do not present a threat to society and have no significant prior criminal history are allowed this "second chance".
PTI is a self-supporting agency under the supervision of the Circuit Solicitor’s Office. It is supported through the cooperation of judicial, law enforcement and community service agencies.
How do I apply?
If you have been charged with a non-violent crime and you do not have any prior arrests or convictions on your record, you may be eligible for Pre-Trial Intervention.
You must bring the following items to the Solicitor's Office in order for your application to be processed; a money order for $100 (cash, personal checks or debit/credit cards are NOT accepted), a copy of your warrant or ticket, picture identification and your social security card.
Applications are accepted in person between the hours of 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Solicitor's Diversion Programs
113 Court Street
Pickens, SC 29671
(864) 467-8425
You must apply to the program and bring your proof of application to the municipal court office prior to your scheduled court date. As long as your application is received in the court office prior to your scheduled court date, you will not be required to appear in court.
What are the program requirements
PTI participants are expected to complete community service work at a non-profit agency (the number of hours are determined by the number and type of criminal charges), to attend school or be employed at a lawful occupation, to pay restitution, if any, to the victim(s) and to participate in any educational or counseling services deemed appropriate by the PTI counselor.
Any further criminal arrests or any failure to complete program requirements will result in termination of the participant from the program. Failure to successfully complete the program results in the defendant returning to court for prosecution of the charge(s).
What is the cost of participation?
The application fee for the program is $100. Each applicant must pay a $250 program fee at the time of acceptance into the program. These fees help to defray the cost of the program.
There may be additional costs for drug screens, restitution, education programs or counseling services. The PTI counselor will inform each participant of the fees.
There is an additional fee if you choose to get your charge expunged. Expungement eliminates the public record of the charge.
What are the benefits of the program?
- Opportunity to eliminate a criminal record. Your charge can be completely expunged from your record without having to wait the standard 3 year period.
- Opportunity to keep driver’s license in cases where conviction would result in suspension of driver’s license (ex: Underage Alcohol Violations, Fake ID Violations)
- Opportunity for South Carolina residents to retain LIFE Scholarship benefits.
