There are Two Levels of Seminole County Drug Court

Seminole County drug court is offered in the form of two different levels: Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 is for first time offenders charged with felony drug possession who do not have a serious drug problem. Tier 2 is the standard, more intensive drug court program that can last from 7-24 months. A TASC (treatment alternatives for a safer community) drug evaluation will determine what level of drug court is required.

Tier 1 Drug Court

Tier 1 Drug Court can last as little as 12 weeks and is for Seminole County residents charged with felony drug possession who do not have a drug abuse addiction. Tier 1 drug court is easier and quicker than the standard felony PTI (pre-trial intervention). Tier 1 is only available to Seminole County residents.

Tier 2 Drug Court

Tier 2 is the standard drug court program that consists of four phases and can last anywhere from 11-24 months. Tier 2 candidates:

1. Must be a resident of Seminole County.
2. Must have a serious drug/alcohol problem needing treatment.
3. Must be mentally capable of benefiting from Drug Court.
4. Must be approved by the State Attorney’s Office.

In addition to the above criteria, the drug court candidate must be charged with at least one of the following felony drug related charges

1. Felony possession of a controlled substance.
2.  Unlawful purchase of a controlled substance.
3. Obtaining a controlled substance by fraud (forged prescription).
4. Introduction of contraband (drugs) into a correctional facility.
5. Felony worthless checks (to support drug habit).
6. Grand Theft (to support drug habit).
7. Uttering or Forging certain instruments (to support drug habit).

*Defendants with prior violent felonies are NOT eligible.

PHASE I – Educational (Approximately 1 Month)

• 3 Group Therapy sessions per week & individual counseling as needed.
• 3 weekly supervisory contacts including random urinalysis.
• 4 NA/AA meetings per week.
• Bi-weekly court meeting with the judge.
• 20 consecutive clean urine days needed to advance to Phase II.

PHASE II- Intensive (Approximately 3 Months)

• Must have entered a plea or signed a Pretrial Intervention contract.
• 2 group sessions per week & individual counseling sessions as needed.
• 3 weekly supervisory contacts including random urinalysis.
• 3 NA/AA meetings per week.
• Court meeting with judge every other week.
• 45 additional consecutive clean urine days needed to advance to Phase III.

PHASE III- Relapse Prevention (Approximately 6 Months)

• 1 group therapy session per week & individual counseling sessions as needed.
• 1 weekly supervisory contacts including one random urinalysis.
• 3 NA/AA meetings per week.
• One monthly court meeting with judge.
• 120 additional consecutive clean urine days needed to advance to Phase IV.

PHASE IV- Transition (Approximately 2 Months)

• 1 group therapy session per month.
• 1 monthly supervisory contact with random urinalysis as needed.
• Court meetings with judge as necessary.

Seminole County Drug Court Graduation

Seminole County drug court consists of four phases of which when fully completed a graduation ceremony is performed. The felony charges or Violation of Probation will be dismissed.