The Alternative Measures Program (AMP) is a diversion program for first time offenders or offenders with a dated criminal record who have been charged with minor criminal offences. AMP allows these offenders to resolve their criminal charges without the necessity of having the matter proceed through the normal criminal process resulting in a trial or guilty plea. An eligible offender will have his or her criminal charges withdrawn upon completion of certain conditions such as counselling, restitution, community service or a letter of apology to the victim.
The most important benefit of AMP is that upon successful completion, the accused person will be left with no criminal record for the alleged offence. Another significant benefit is that an accused will not have to go to the expense or stress of trial.
Not every eligible accused is automatically diverted into AMP. Many times, an accused is rejected from the program by the screening Crown Prosecutor. In these situations, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer to convince the Crown Prosecutor that AMP is the appropriate resolution. Often, the difference between entering AMP or not, is having the right criminal defence lawyer. Cory Wilson works tirelessly to ensure that each client who is eligible for the program, is accepted into the program.
Eligibility for the Alternative Measures Program
To be eligible for AMP, the accused must either be a first-time offender or have a limited and dated criminal record. An accused most also not have had a previous matter diverted into AMP within the previous two years. Generally, only minor criminal charges proceeding by way of summary conviction are eligible for AMP. The most common criminal offences diverted into AMP are:
