By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

First-time offenders charged with nonviolent crimes in Pelham Municipal Court soon may have a chance to clear their records through a new pre-trial diversion program.

The Pelham City Council approved the new program during its Dec. 16 meeting, noting the program will help to alleviate the Municipal Court’s crowded docket while giving some first-time offenders a chance at a better outcome in their cases.

“This is a program that will be voluntary,” said City Council President Rick Hayes. “It will give defendants an opportunity to have a better outcome than they might have otherwise.”

Through the program, some first-time, nonviolent offenders charged in Municipal Court will be given an opportunity to pay a fee to enter into the program. After completing specific requirements laid out by the court, the offenders will have a chance to clear their records of the crime.

Fees for the program will range from $100 to the maximum amount a person would pay if they were found guilty of the crime, according to the ordinance approved by the council.

Eighty percent of the money raised through the program will be paid to the city’s municipal corrections fund, and 20 percent will be paid to the city’s municipal administration court fund.

“This will clear the docket of things they can take care of right away,” said Pelham Mayor Gary Waters. “It allows the judge additional latitude in these cases.”