18-06-S, SUPERSEDES 01-19-S IN RE: DRUG COURT – FELONY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION - ORDERED 2/08/2018 BY JOHN M. HARRIS
EXCERPT: “WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature has enacted Section 948.08(6)(a), Florida Statutes (1993), enabling the Chief Judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida to approve a Pre-Trial Substance Abuse Education and Intervention Program; and WHEREAS the proper implementation of a Pre-trial Substance Abuse Education and Intervention Program as authorized by Section 948.08(6)(a), Florida Statutes, would provide a valuable alternative to prosecution in appropriate drug cases; and WHEREAS, a defendant’s successful completion of a treatment program will result in the case being dismissed. WHEREAS, when criminal charges are dismissed upon a defendant’s successful completion of the Drug Court Program, court costs should not be imposed against the defendant. WHEREAS court costs should therefore be suspended while defendants are participating in the Drug Court Program during any period of probation and, upon successful completion of the program, such costs should be waived completely. WHEREAS the Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit in and For Seminole County wishes to establish a Drug Court Docket within the criminal division and designate a separate docket for cases assigned to “Drug Court”: NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby ordered and adjudged: (Open AO for more information.)”