PREARREST DIVERSION IS PARTICULARLY SUITED TO FAMILY DISPUTES, LANDLORD-TENANT PROBLEMS, AND NEIGHBORHOOD INCIDENTS. SINCE SUCH INFORMAL HEARINGS CAN BE HELD AT NIGHT, PARTICIPANTS NEED NOT LOSE WAGES. THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF A JURISDICTION OR HIS DELEGATED REPRESENTATIVE IS THE BEST PERSON TO DETERMINE WHICH CASES ARE SUITABLE FOR PRETRIAL DIVERSION; THIS COOPERATION IS ESSENTIAL TO PROGRAM SUCCESS. AFTER THE HEARING IS SCHEDULED, BOTH PARTIES ARE FREE TO BRING WITNESSES. ATTORNEYS ARE UNNECESSARY BECAUSE THE HEARING IS NOT AN ADVERSARY PROCEDURE. THE OBJECT IS NOT TO DETERMINE GUILT OR INNOCENCE BUT TO WORK OUT A COMPROMISE. TO PROTECT RIGHTS UNDER THE FIFTH AMENDMENT ALL STATEMENTS MADE DURING THE HEARING ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN CASE THE DISPUTE LATER GOES TO COURT. IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, THE CITIZENS' DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM HAS HANDLED 37,000 HEARINGS SINCE 1971 AND SAVED TAXPAYERS $2,650,000 IN COURT EXPENSE. THIS SYSTEM IS EXAMINED IN DETAIL. A SMALLER PROGRAM IN WESTLAND, MICH., WHICH HANDLES SIX TO TEN CASES A WEEK IS ALSO DESCRIBED. FOLLOW-UP SHOWS THAT IN BOTH PROGRAMS 95 PERCENT OF CASES ARE SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED. IN COLUMBUS ONLY 1.7 PERCENT HAD FURTHER CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.