Def.: Postponed recordation of a judicial ruling.
• The Southern District of California offers some low-level offenders a deferred entry of judgment program (diversion program) whereby a finding of guilt is made but not recorded in the expectation that the offender will comply with all of the program's requirements. Upon successful completion of the program, the Government will move to dismiss the charges.
Note: Compare with deferred prosecution, which involves an agreement between the Government and the offender that does not require a plea of guilty.