Today, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced thirteen participants completed the Project Navigate Constructive Change program and three participants completed the Project Navigate Constructive Change- Restorative Justice program. These sixteen individuals were recognized during the Quarterly Graduation ceremony at the San Joaquin County Superior Courthouse.

Project Navigate Constructive Change (PNCC) was founded by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office in 2015, as an alternative to incarceration for youthful offenders. The diversion program operates as a partnership between the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, members of the local defense bar, Behavioral Health, San Joaquin County Probation, and the San Joaquin County Superior Court. The program promotes education, counseling, employment assistance, and life-skill coaching to participants.

“It is crucial to provide early and effective intervention for youthful and first-time offenders,” said District Attorney Ron Freitas. “PNCC has paved a new path for these participants and relieved them of entering the criminal justice system in an adverse way. We wish the graduates success in their future endeavors.”

While attending the PNCC program, the participant’s case is held in abeyance while goals unique to each person are determined and pursued.  Those goals may include but are not limited to obtaining a GED, assistance with job searches, obtaining a driver’s license, drug testing, live-in drug treatment, anger management, mental health treatment, community service, and participation in victim support groups.  In the event restitution is owed, participants must pay the full amount to the victim(s) before completion of the program. The participant’s attorney and the District Attorney’s Office, as well as program managers, attend regular court reviews to ensure the participant is on track.

At the conclusion of the program, participants attend a graduation ceremony with family and friends.  It is the goal upon graduating from PNCC for the participant to see either a reduction in charge (often from felony to misdemeanor), or the complete dismissal of their case.  Participants are encouraged to maintain relationships with the program managers even after resolution of their cases, with the lasting objective being to reduce recidivism. To learn more about PNCC, visit the DA PNCC page.