LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) –There’s an update on the 25 students who were accused of vandalizing Comeaux High School back in May.

The Lafayette parish school system reports “that all the students who were eligible to graduate got their diplomas in May.”

Meanwhile, the 15th Judicial District Attorney Donald Landry offers the students a chance to make amends. The students can either accept the offer or plead their case in court.

Landry considered the vandalism of Comeaux High a prime case for the pre-trial diversion program, which is voluntary.

“They are certainly entitled to their day in court and don’t have to accept the offer,” Landry said.

The program will cost close to $1,000 divided among the participating students. Landry believes there will be one juvenile and 22 students participating.

“They’re young and they make mistakes and especially since our victim was the school board in this case, they’re certainly okay with it and thinks that it’s a good idea to offer it to them,” Landry stated.

Landry said each student is required to pay about $980 in restitution.

“The school board is okay with the diversion program, but of course, they are interested in restitution, as well they should be.”

Landry explained the students will not be charged due to the nature of the offense. Instead, they’ve been offered pre-trial diversion.  

“In this particular case and nature of the offense, they don’t have to actually be charged, and they have not yet actually been charged. If they accept the diversion program and successfully complete it after about four months, then the charges would be formally refused,” Landry said.

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