This fact sheet explains how and when offenders are referred to alternative measures and what part victims of crime may have in an alternative measures program.
 

What are alternative measures?
Alternative measures are a diversion from the court system. People sent to alternative measures will not go to court and will not have a criminal conviction. However, they do not "get away" with their crime and they will face consequences. 

The alternative measures program is designed to:

• lessen involvement in the formal criminal justice system;
• holds people responsible and accountable for their criminal acts;
• protect society by deterring future criminal activity; and
• involve the community and especially victims in the criminal justice process.

Consequences may include:

• attending special information and education sessions;
• paying money to victims for their financial losses (this is called restitution);
• obtaining treatment or counselling for a drug or alcohol or other personal problem;
• completing a set number of hours of community service work;
• sending a letter of apology to the victim;
• keeping a curfew;
• having no contact with certain friends and/or victims;
• staying away from certain places; and
• any other reasonable conditions the probation officer thinks appropriate.

Alternative measures will not be used if the person referred does not accept responsibility for the crime and chooses to go to court.

Serious and violent offences are excluded from the alternative measures program.

Who refers a person to alternative measures?
The police and the Crown attorney. Once the police are satisfied that an offence happened and they know who is responsible for it, they have three choices about how to proceed. They may:

• give a warning and take the case no further;
• recommend to a Crown attorney that the person go to alternative measures; or
• lay a charge and have the person appear in court.

In making this decision the police consider factors such as:

• the seriousness of the offence;
• any previous involvement in the criminal justice system;
• the feelings of the victim(s); and
• the attitude of the alleged offender.

• You may wish to be present when the probation officer interviews the offender.
• You may have suggestions about restitution, community service work or treatment programs.
• You may have input into the conditions in the alternative measures agreement.

However, you will be:

• contacted by a probation officer;
• kept informed of the participant's progress; and
• told about the outcome of the alternative measures program.