Referrals to RAMP are made on three levels: pre-charge, post-charge and community based. Pre-charge referrals are referred by a police agency prior to formal charges being laid. Post-charge referrals are referred by the Crown Prosecutor after charges have been laid. Community based referrals are referred through community agencies without any charges being laid.
When the Crown Prosecutor or Regina Police Service refer cases to RAMP, either before or after charges have been formally laid, a number of factors must be considered, including:
- Either during or following contact with the police, the offender must accept responsibility for the act or omission that forms the basis of the offense that the person is alleged to have committed.
- The prosecution of the offence is not in any way barred by law.
- There must, in the opinion of the Crown, be sufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution of the offence.
And, in general the offender:
- Must not have been diverted more than twice in the last two years.
- Must not have failed diversion in the previous six months; and
- Must not have a substantial criminal record for similar offences or similar recent convictions.
Each case is considered on an individual basis. Once a referral has been accepted, RAMP would then contact all persons involved with the incident. Those involved usually includes the offender, victim and their respective families or support persons.
Offender Criteria:
- RAMP provides services to Regina and surrounding area for both adult and youth.
- Sufficient evidence to support the charge;
- The adult is referred to the program by a Crown Prosecutor, having assessed the circumstances to ensure that the referral is not barred by law or policy;
- The offender takes responsibility for the behaviour;
- Diverted not more than twice in the last three years;
- Has not failed a RAMP or alternative measures program in the last six months;
- No substantial record of similar offences or recent charges.
Excluded Offences:
- Incident involving the use of or threatened use of a weapon;
- Violence against the person cases (adult or child), where the Crown elects to proceed by way of indictment (i.e.,)
- Child sexual abuse cases;
- Sexual assault cases where the Crown elects to proceed by way of indictment;
- Perjury (i.e.,)
- Driving while disqualified;
- All Criminal Code driving offences where alcohol was a contributing factor;
- Any federal offences other than Criminal Code;
*Crown Discretion – See Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice Alternative Measures and Extrajudicial Sanctions Policies.