PALO ALTO, Calif. — Despite two years of substance abuse and mental health treatment and no new criminal charges since his case was filed in 2024, a man facing misdemeanor drug charges was denied judicial diversion Wednesday at the Palo Alto Courthouse, leaving him with a criminal conviction despite what his defense described as his commitment to rehabilitation.
According to court records, the defendant was originally charged with felony attempted robbery, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a narcotic controlled substance, along with an enhancement based on prior serious felony convictions under California Penal Code Section 999.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to felony attempted robbery, which, due to insufficient evidence, was not held to answer and was dismissed…