Florida Legal Article:
Florida drug defense lawyer
A good Florida drug defense lawyer knows that there are basically two categories of people who find themselves accused of drug offenses: the drug user and the drug dealer. While the state of Florida takes all drug offenses seriously, being convicted of drug trafficking carries far stiffer penalties than simple drug possession. Most criminal activity in Florida can be tracked back in some form to drugs, which is one reason the state treats those it considers dealers so harshly.
Today, being arrested for drug possession doesn't have to mark you as a career criminal. Much of society understands that drug addiction is a serious and growing problem here in the U.S. For that reason, the Florida Legislature has created several programs to help people conquer substance abuse problems in Florida. Drug defense lawyers are experts in the various programs available for Floridians, and may be able to get you the help you need both in and out of court.
Pretrial Diversion
The State Attorney's Office runs a diversionary program known as Pretrial Diversion. Usually reserved for first-time, nonviolent offenders, this program functions similarly to probation. Participants must report once a month to a supervising officer, undergo random drug testing, complete community service hours, and steer clear of any criminal activity. In order to quality, you must gain the permission of the victim of the crime you are accused of committing. Upon successful completion, your Florida drug defense lawyer can make sure the charges against you are dropped.
Pretrial Intervention
Pretrial Intervention similarly to Pretrial Diversion, but is run by the Court rather than the State Attorney's Office. One major difference between the two is that the accused person does not need a spotless record to qualify. Once someone is accepted into the program, they must report to the Court regularly, get evaluated for and undergo any recommended drug treatment, complete any other specific requirements the Court orders, and avoid any type of criminal activity. Unfortunately, many judges do not participate in Pretrial Intervention. A knowledgeable Florida drug defense lawyer familiar with individual Judges can advise you accordingly. As with Pretrial Diversion, the charges against you will be dropped with successful completion of the program.
Drug Court
Drug Court is a diversionary program available in some Florida counties that focus on treating substance abuse offenders and their addictions, rather than purely punishment measures. Available for first-time felony drug offenders, it provides for the identification, evaluation, case management, and placement of substance abusing offenders in order to avoid entering the formal criminal justice system. The program exists in part to end the cycle of revolving in and out of the criminal system due to drug addiction. Each participant's case is overseen by the Drug Court Judge. Noncompliance is immediately reported to the Drug Court Judge, along with recommendations for consequences to be imposed. Upon your successful completion of Drug Court, your Florida drug defense lawyer will make sure the charges against you are dropped.