A deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) is an agreed arrangement between a prosecutor and a person or entity (defendant) to resolve an allegation of wrongdoing that might otherwise be prosecuted as a criminal offense (crime).

A DPA is unlike a plea bargain, a sentence of probation, or a sentence of deferred adjudication, because in those instances the defendant is convicted of a crime—but a person or entity who enters a DPA is not convicted of a crime and the result may be dismissal of the charges.

In Louisiana, a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) is a pre-trial intervention that allows a person or entity accused of a crime to avoid prosecution under certain conditions. This agreement is typically used for non-violent offenses and is offered at the discretion of the district attorney. The defendant must agree to comply with specific terms, which may include things like paying restitution, undergoing treatment, or performing community service. If the defendant successfully fulfills the conditions of the DPA within a specified time frame, the charges are usually dismissed, meaning there is no criminal conviction on their record. However, if the defendant fails to meet the terms, the prosecution may resume. DPAs are particularly useful for first-time offenders or individuals where the prosecutor believes that the public interest is better served through an alternative to traditional prosecution. It's important to note that the availability and specifics of DPAs can vary by jurisdiction within the state, and they are not guaranteed in every case.