Diversion – A Collaboration with Court and Community Stakeholders (ft. Robert Bermingham)

Episode Description

Diversion – A Collaboration with Court and Community Stakeholders (ft. Robert “Bob” Bermingham)

Diversion is a key tool for supporting youth outside of the formal justice system.  When done well, it supports public safety and youth accountability while involving victims and stakeholders in the decision-making process. In this episode, Robert (Bob) Bermingham delivers his first-hand account on how Fairfax County, Virginia implemented and sustained successful diversion practices and offers takeaways for how other jurisdictions can do the same.  The outcomes achieved in Fairfax County are impactful, including decreased court dockets, reduced recidivism, and increased collaboration amongst stakeholders.
Season One: Episode Six | Release Date: November 30, 2022

About the Guest

Robert “Bob” Bermingham

Court Service Unit Director (Retired, November 2021) | Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court | Fairfax County, Virginia

Bob Bermingham began his career in juvenile justice in 1986 as child care specialist in the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center. During the past 30 plus years Bob has served in many different capacities within the juvenile justice system in Fairfax County. He has worked in both community based residential programs and as a field probation officer. During his tenure Bob has held management positions with probation services, served as the County’s first Gang Prevention Coordinator and since 2009 has served as the Court Service Unit Director of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s largest Court Service Unit. Bob has lead the 300 person unit through significant transformation in practices to include the re-design of juvenile intake services, the implementation of assessment tools at major decision points within the system, enhanced diversion alternatives, deployment of evidence based interventions along with a focus on reducing racial and ethnic disparities and family engagement. Bob is dedicated to providing juvenile justice services that build on individual and family strengths to improve client outcomes while remaining focused on public safety and promoting equitable and effective justice. Bob has been married to his grade school sweetheart for 30 years and has four adult children.