Direct Accountability

The Direct Accountability program is an alternative to prosecution for eligible individuals 18 year or older who have been charged with minor criminal offences. The program involves accused persons being held accountable through community-based sanctions. Some of the sanctions available through the DAP include: restitution, an apology letter, volunteer work, charitable donations, peace bond, and forfeiture of sized property. The accused may also be sanctioned to attend an educational program at JHSoN, such as Anger Manager, Alcohol and Drug Awareness, or Stop Shop Theft. The main goals of the program are to reduce the number of individuals remanded to court, to reduce court costs for trial dates, and to give clients the opportunity to have their charges withdrawn. Initial intakes are completed at the St. Catharines or Welland courthouses or at the JHS office. The Crown Attorney’s office does the screening for each client prior to their first court date and prior to referring them to JHS. Though clients are referred by the courts, individuals may choose whether or not to participate in the program. Funding is provided only by the service fees collected from participants. Funding is provided by the Ministry of Attorney General.

St. Catherines Courthouse
59 Church St.
St. Catharines, ON
L2R7N8