When arrested for Drug Possession in the state of Florida you will more than likely get put into the drug court system. The nation’s first drug court was established in 1989 in Miami-Dade County by Chief Judge Gerald Wetherington, Judge Herbert Klein, then State Attorney Janet Reno and Public Defender Bennett Brummer. Drug Court was designed with the purpose to include drug treatment into the criminal system for people that are believed to be getting into legal trouble due to drug abuse problems.
Drug courts combine mandatory substance abuse treatment, sanctions, and incentives, and focused judicial supervision to break the cycle of drug addiction and associated crime. Miami Criminal Attorney Evan Hoffman is well versed in all procedures in drug possession arrests and drug court procedures.
Florida Statutes have authorized two types of “drug courts” The First type is PTI or Pre-Trial Intervention Programs and the second type is Probationary Programs. Since the first drug court, there have been major expansions and we now have misdemeanor drug court, felony drug court, juvenile delinquency, and dependency divisions. There are over 106 different drug courts in the Florida State Court System.
According to Florida Statutes some of the consequences that can be included in sentencing for someone in drug court are as follows:
- Offenders will be required to be put on probation for no less than 18 months up to 36 months.
- During the period of probation offenders will be required to reside at a community residential center for individuals with drug abuse or additional issues anywhere from 90 days to 360 days depending on the statute they were sentenced under.
- Offenders should expect to be fined ranging from $500 all the way up to $10,000 depending on the sentencing level
- All levels of sentencing require completion of substance abuse evaluations, substance abuse education, and treatment programs.
- Offenders will be required to complete anywhere from 100 hours to 300 hours of community service/public service.
- All levels of sentencing will also be required to submit to random drug testing to ensure that they are not using any substances.
- All offenders are required to participate in self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or Cocaine Anonymous.
During the time you are on supervision, you will be required to see the judge monthly for judicial reviews to monitor your progress. Facing a judge can be very overwhelming and you do not want to do this alone. Miami Criminal Attorney Evan Hoffman and the Law Office of The Hoffman Firm will work with you to get you a favorable outcome when facing charges in drug court or drug possession charges.
It is very important that you KNOW YOUR RIGHTS when facing any legal trouble, and the Law Office of The Hoffman Firm believes that our knowledge and experience is your best defense. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.