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Criminal procedure

deferred prosecution agreement

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 Pennsylvania, a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) is a discretionary tool that prosecutors may use to resolve certain criminal allegations without proceeding to trial. Under a DPA, the prosecutor agrees to grant a temporary reprieve from prosecution, and in return, the defendant agrees to fulfill certain requirements, which may include paying restitution, undergoing treatment, or engaging in community service. If the defendant successfully complies with the terms of the DPA, the charges may ultimately be dismissed, meaning the defendant avoids a criminal conviction. DPAs are particularly useful in cases where the defendant is a first-time offender, or where the public interest may be better served by allowing the defendant to avoid a criminal record. It's important to note that the availability and specific terms of DPAs can vary depending on the policies of individual district attorney's offices within Pennsylvania.

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Criminal procedure

deferred prosecution agreement

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Pennsylvania State Code

Criminal procedure

deferred prosecution agreement

Pennsylvania State Code

Articles