What is Deferred Judgement?

[Iowa_Hopeful]

I work in Loss Prevention currently. I recently had an employee who we charged with felony theft for direct cash and merchandise theft. Rather than plea out or go to trial the person was given a deferred judgement. The only thing I really know about it is that in the state of Iowa you can have deferred judgement twice in your life.

My question is what is a deferred judgement, and how does it effect a criminal record? What are some stipulatioins to be able to receive a deferred judgement?

Your help is appreciated, Thank you.

[TJx2]

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/1999SUPPLEMENT/907/3.html

[Iowa_Hopeful]

Thank you for the link. A lot to read and comprehend. Just curious do other states allow a deferred judgement? If so how many DJ can someone get in a lifetime?

[JI603]

Yes other states allow it. Diversion and deferred judgment free up court/jail time and space. It's popular in busy places.

How many times depends on the state, the prosecutor, the charge, the person, the history, the victim, what the judge had for breakfast, etc. etc.

[mdrdep]

+1 to JI603. It's common in Kalifornia.

[Iowa #1603]

Iowa = 1 deferred judgement per lifetime. Its in the state code.

[On The]

What is Deferred Judgement?

Deferred judgement is holding off on telling your daughter her boyfriend with the long hair and pierced eybrows is an a-hole until you confirm that he's not in medical school or otherwise constructively occupied.