The Flipping Pad

Posted by bru3n8qqve on May 6, 2012 3:28am

The Broward County Felony Drug Court is the third largest drug court in the United States and among the most successful diversion programs ever offered to Defendants. The program offers a 1 year out patient treatment program for individuals accused of purchase or possession of narcotics and certain drug related offenses. Upon successful completion of drug court, the drug charges are dismissed and the charges may be eligible to be sealed.

Broward County Drug Court is unique among diversion programs and even other drug courts in the United States. Most diversion programs and many drug court programs require an individual to enter a “conditional guilty plea” which allows the State to convict on the guilty plea if ever the Defendant fails to comply with the terms of the program. In Broward County, the main focus remains on the individual. The only constitutional right waived by the Defendant is the right to a speedy trial. Although it may not appear to be a significant difference, the practical effect is that Broward County Drug Court gets Defendants who want to be there as opposed to being forced to be there.

Among the first questions that a potential client asks is whether he or she is eligible for drug court. There is a straightforward checklist to determine whether a defendant is eligible. 1) the defendant needs to be 18 years old; 2) the defendant must have no prior felony convictions; 3) the present charge must be either a second or third degree felony; 4) the present drug charge needs to be for personal use. If the drug charge relates to the resale or delivery of narcotics, the defendant is not going to be eligible. If the Defendant meets all of these prerequisites, he or she will likely be accepted into the drug court program.

Simply because somebody is accepted into the drug court program does not mean that he or she will successfully complete the program. However, the Broward County Drug Court Program is an extremely reasonable program with regard to staying in the program. Many drug court and other diversion programs discharge people from the program for a relapse. The mantra in Broward County’s Drug Court Program seems to be “keep going to treatment no matter what.” Broward County’s approach is much more in tune with the current line of thinking inside the recovery community which recognizes that relapse is often a part of recovery. The proof that the Broward County Drug Court Program is more effective than a hardlined diversion approach is clearly evident in the statistics. Broward County’s Drug Court Program is known for a recidivism rate of less than 4%. Studies say that recidivism rate for a similar type of defendant who is sentenced to prison results in a near 50% recidivism rate.

Accepting placement into the drug court program is most often the most effective legal option plus the top personal option for a Defendant and the Defendant’s loved ones.

The Law Offices of Michael A. Dye, P.A. is located in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. Michael A. Dye is a criminal defense attorney with significant experience representing individuals in drug court in Broward County. For more information, please call (954)745-5848 or visit http://AlcoholAndDrugLaw.com.