Hays County will utilize a Cite and Divert program aimed at giving people an opportunity to avoid having criminal offenses appear on their record, the sheriff’s office announced Wednesday.
The announcement came following a Wednesday meeting between Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler, District Attorney Wes Mau and heads of law enforcement agencies of San Marcos, Buda, Kyle and Texas State University. The county anticipates to launch the new program on Sept. 1.
“This program will give the deputies another option in dealing with a criminal case,” Cutler said in a statement. “The deputy will now have the discretion to use Cite and Release or Cite and Divert but can always make an arrest if he/she deems it appropriate. I believe the program is of utmost importance, because while it maintains the discretion of our officers, it will also aid us in our efforts to reduce the number of persons being brought to the jail for processing and housing.”
