The number of closed deferred disposition cases, those that were successful or unsuccessful, rose 12.8% from 2014 to 2017. This finding comes from a recently released report, Use of Deferred Dispositions in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases in Maine, produced by the University of Southern Maine. The report summarizes the findings from an examination of how deferred disposition is used in Maine. George Shaler, one of the authors of the report suggests, “Deferred disposition typically involves the accused pleading guilty to a charge and agreeing to meet certain conditions over a period of time, commonly one year.”
The Use of Deferred Dispositions in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases in Maine
