Felony Drug Court

Drug Treatment Courts are an innovative and effective solution to addressing substance use within the criminal court system. Florida Drug Court programs have been successful in their main goals of reducing drug use and recidivism among its participants and increasing public safety. Leon County, Florida established the country’s third pre-adjudicatory Felony Drug Court in 1993.
DISC Village’s Adult Felony Drug Court program is an outpatient substance use treatment program for adult drug offenders with no extensive criminal history, resulting in case dismissal upon successful completion. Felony Drug Court is a partnership among the Second Judicial Circuit Court, Office of the State Attorney, Public Defender’s Office, Leon County, Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, and DISC Village. The program lasts a minimum of twelve (12) months and requires a firm commitment on the part of participants. Adult drug courts are an alternative to incarceration that combines public health and public safety approaches to connect people involved in the justice system with individualized, evidence-based treatment and recovery support services. Adult drug courts are the most carefully studied and well-proven intervention in our nation’s history for leading people with substance use disorders out of the justice system and into lives of health and recovery.

Referral Process and Eligibility

The Office of the State Attorney must approve any individual interested in participating in the pretrial diversion program. Successful completion of the diversion option will result in the Court’s dismissal of the felony charges filed against the individual. The Drug Court program is part of the Second Circuit Criminal Case Management Unit. Any case recommended to the Drug Court from the trial court must have a Referral Form completed and transmitted to the Criminal Case Management Unit, see the Referral Form click box to the left of this page.
Eligibility and exclusion criteria for the Drug Court are predicated on empirical evidence indicating which types of offenders can be treated safely and effectively in the program. Candidates are evaluated for admission to the Drug Court using evidence-based assessment tools and procedures. The team works to meet the risk and need levels of the participants. Eligible participants enter into an agreed contract that outlines their successful commitment to the program. The general Drug Court Participant’s setup for success includes:

• Recovery
• Housing
• Employment, Student, or have other legal/sustainable means to support themselves
• Paid Fees

Program Requirements

• Outpatient individual and group counseling treatment
• Inpatient/residential treatment (if necessary)
• Random drug testing
• Mental health treatment (if necessary)
• Participation in mutual support/self-help groups
• No new law violations
• Monthly reporting

Fees

Program fees are $95.00 per month for a minimum of twelve (12) months and each additional month in the program. The program usually lasts from 12 to 18 months depending on individual progress. It is the participant’s responsibility to pay the fees to the Clerk of Courts. Other fees may be incurred in addition to the regular program fees such as: additional testing or with positive results reported that require additional testing, treatment provider fees, service agency fees, etc.