CENTRAL FLORIDA CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASE RESOURCES

Drug Courts are a highly effective justice intervention for those who have been charged with a non-violent felony and are diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. Instead of going through the traditional justice system, those eligible for Drug Court are given intensive treatment to get sober and stay clean, and are regularly drug tested and required to appear before a judge to review their progress and hold them accountable throughout a given time period. They are then taken through a community transition phase, and upon completion may have their felony charge dismissed by the State of Florida.

Eligibility for the Adult Drug Court Program, as provided by the Seminole County Drug Court includes:

•  The defendant must have a serious substance abuse problem requiring treatment. A substance abuse assessment by the program’s authorized evaluator is required.

•  Must be a Seminole County resident, have a drug-free stable place to reside, and reliable transportation.

•  Must be mentally capable of benefiting from the Adult Drug Court and possess the motivation to complete the program.

•  All cases must be approved by the State Attorney’s Office. Individuals charged with first time possession or purchase of a controlled substance are eligible to apply for acceptance into the program.

•  Individuals who are charged with, or who have a prior record of, sale or delivery of a controlled substance or possession with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance are not eligible for Adult Drug Court.

•  Individuals who are charged with any other 2nd or 3rd degree felony may request the State Attorney review their case for consideration for the program. Factors which will be used to determine acceptance include the facts of the current case, victim consent, and prior record.

•  Violation of Probation or Community Control cases are eligible for acceptance.

Participants are required to pay the program fee of $1,000.00, any restitution applicable, any cost of investigation applicable, and $100.00 per case cost of prosecution.

For full details, please visit: Seminole County Drug Court

Seminole County Adult Drug Court Program Office Contact Information:

Anthony A. Warren

Seminole County Adult Drug Court Coordinator

Criminal Justice Center, 3rd FL 101 Bush Boulevard Sanford, FL 32773

Phone: (407) 665-4966 Fax: (407) 665-4932

anthony.warren@flcourts18.org

Veterans Treatment Court is also available for veterans in the criminal justice system who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), or mental health and substance abuse symptoms resulting from military combat experience.

Eligibility for the Veterans Treatment Court Program, as provided by the Seminole County Veterans Treatment Court includes:

•  Must have served in the United States Armed Forces and be eligible to receive services through the Veteran’s Administration.

•  Most non-violent and non-traffic related third degree felony and misdemeanor cases are eligible for admission into Veteran’s Court.

•  All Victims must agree to resolution of a case through Veterans’ Court.

•  All restitution due must be paid during the period of Veteran’s participation in Veteran’s Court unless waived by the Victim.

•  Upon agreement of the State Attorney and Victim(s), Domestic Violence cases may be eligible for the program. If accepted, all previously imposed conditions of bond will remain in effect as part of the program.

•  Upon agreement of the State Attorney and Officer(s) Battery upon a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting with Violence and Resisting Without Violence may be eligible for the program.

•  Upon agreement of the State Attorney, other non-traffic charges may be considered for acceptance.

•  Traffic offenses, including DUI, are not eligible. Minor misdemeanor (non-DUI) traffic offenses arising from the same incident will not disqualify a Veteran from participation in the program on the primary non-traffic charge(s).

•  Drug charges involving the distribution, sale or delivery of controlled substances are not eligible.

•  Veterans with prior convictions for sale or delivery of controlled substances, violent felonies or more than one violent misdemeanor are not eligible.

For full details, please visit: Seminole County Veterans Treatment Court

Seminole County Veterans Treatment Court Program Office Contact Information:

Anthony A. Warren

Seminole County Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator

Criminal Justice Center, 3rd FL 101 Bush Boulevard Sanford, FL 32773

Phone: (407) 665-4966 Fax: (407) 665-4932

anthony.warren@flcourts18.org

For other Central Florida Drug Court information, please refer to the following:

•  Orange County Drug Court

•  Osceola County Drug Court

•  Volusia County Drug Court

•  Brevard County Drug Court