Federal Stimulus Package Money to Help Florida Expand Successful Drug Diversion Programs
As Sarasota drug crime defense lawyers, we believe strongly in the use of drug courts rather than criminal penalties for nonviolent drug offenders. That’s why we were pleased to see an Oct. 19 article in the Orlando Sentinel about a new grant of federal money that could expand and strengthen the drug courts considerably. According to the article, nine Florida counties will be able to expand their existing drug court programs using about $20.8 million in funding from the federal stimulus package. The participating courts estimate that the money will help an additional 2,000 people complete drug court programs, resulting in $95 million in savings on operational costs and new prison construction.
Florida instituted the nation’s first drug courts in response to drug abuse problems that were clogging the state’s criminal courts. In drug courts, offenders facing drug charges may enter diversion programs that keep them off probation and out of jail. Instead, these offenders complete drug treatment programs, pass drug tests and fulfill other requirements. If they successfully complete the program, first-time offenders may have their charges dropped; repeat offenders may receive a withholding of adjudication or have penalties reduced. According to the Sentinel, about 10,000 Floridians enter the programs each year in 46 of Florida’s 67 counties. The newspaper also cited research showing that people who complete the programs successfully are 80% less likely to re-offend -- although roughly half of participants never complete them. In fact, the state estimates that only 1,600 out of 4,000 offenders will stay out of prison -- but even with a success rate of less than 50%, it still expects to save more than twice what the federal government will spend.
Advocates of drug courts say the programs save money that would otherwise be spent on unnecessarily incarcerating nonviolent offenders. According to Judge Ronald Whitehead, who supervises the drug court in Orange County, taxpayers pay $65 a day to supervise someone in prison, but only $15 a day to supervise someone in a drug diversion program. As West Palm Beach narcotics offense lawyers, we believe this makes the programs a win for everyone involved -- the system, the offenders and the public. Drug crimes that qualify for the programs are nonviolent offenses, which means that the offenders themselves are typically the only “victims.” Sending such offenders to prison does nothing to protect the public, but it can have profound consequences for the offenders’ lives and futures. Drug diversion programs give them an opportunity to earn a second chance.
Balliro, Galasso, Leskovich & Seltzer requests drug diversion programs rather than jail for our clients whenever appropriate. Our Fort Myers drug charge defense attorneys understand that many people facing nonviolent drug charges are not hardened criminals, but people who are struggling with addiction and bad decisions. When our clients face drug charges, we negotiate aggressively for the most appropriate outcome for their situations, whether that means probation, alternative sentencing or a fair trial in a court of law. If you need quick action to free a loved one arrested on a drug charge, we can appear at the First Appearance hearing the morning after the arrest and argue for a reasonable, appropriate bail. And because we know law enforcement is on the job at all times, we are too -- you can reach us 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
If you or a loved one is facing drug charges in Florida, BGL&S can help. To set up a free, confidential evaluation of your case, please contact us online or call 1-866-ARRESTED toll-free from anywhere within Florida.
