THE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS IN 1962 AS A MEANS OF REDUCING STIGMATIZATION AND LOSS OF SELF-RESPECT ASSOCIATED WITH INVOLVEMENT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIVING AN ARREST REPORT, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY REFERS THE DEFENDANT TO THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PARTICIPATION IN NONJUDICIAL PROBATION, THUS SPARING THE DEFENDANT THE 'CONTINUED BOMBARDMENT OF DEGRADING EXPERIENCES' ASSOCIATED WITH INDICTMENT AND TRIAL. DEFENDANTS WHO ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM SIGN A PROBATION AGREEMENT CONTAINING THE SAME TERMS USED IN OFFICIAL PROBATION. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD, THE DEFENDANT'S PROBATION IS TERMINATED AND THE CHARGES ARE DROPPED. FROM 1962 TO 1966, 127 ADULT FELONY OFFENDERS, MOST AGED 20 OR YOUNGER, PARTICIPATED IN THE NONJUDICIAL PROGRAM. THEIR OFFENSES RANGED FROM ROBBERY TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED. ONLY FOUR FAILED TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY AND WERE EITHER SENT TO PRISON OR ASSIGNED TO OFFICIAL PROBATION. ENCOURAGED BY THE INITIAL RESULTS, THE COUNTY OBTAINED FUNDS TO DEVELOP THE PROGRAM, HIRING AN ADDITIONAL PROBATION SUPERVISOR AND ADDING PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING TOOLS FOR USE IN ASSESSING CANDIDATES FOR NONJUDICIAL PROBATION. OVER AN 18-MONTH PERIOD, 248 OFFENDERS PARTICIPATED IN THE EXPANDED PROGRAM, 5.7 PERCENT OF WHOM ARE REARRESTED DURING THEIR PROBATIONARY PERIODS. PROGRAM FUNDING OVER 18 MONTHS WAS $30,658, OF WHICH $4,771.95 WAS BY PARTICIPATING PROBATIONERS IN SERVICE FEES. THE PER-CAPITA INVESTMENT IN TAX MONEY WAS $104. (LKM)