In the counties of Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, there is a drug court treatment program which can provide an alternative from prison or jail for people with conditions related to substance abuse.
There is an original program which is the Pre-Trial Intervention Program which was put in place as an alternative to jail and prison for first-time offenders, non-violent people whose charges included purchase of possession of a controlled substance, or substance abuse. The second program is the Diversionary Treatment Program which diverts those felons who were adjudicated from going back to prison. The pre-trial Intervention Program and the Diversionary Treatment Program have a minimum treatment of one year.
In South Florida’s jurisdictions such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, and Aventura, in order to be eligible to have their felony charges dismissed, defendants need to be of age 18 or older, they must not have any prior conviction, and their charges need to be related to substance abuse.
The criteria to be eligible for the Diversionary Treatment Program are:
-Age 18 or older
-Offenders with sentencing scores of 52 points or less
-Offenders with sentencing scores of 52 points of less who have violated community control or probation due to a failed or suspected drug test.
If you or someone you know have been charged with a substance abuse related offense, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call our offices today to speak with attorney Ralph Behr. Call 561-717-3000.