Drug Court in Broward County
Created in 1991, the Broward County Drug Court (17th Judicial Circuit) is the third oldest drug court in the country and serves over 1000 clients a day. The Broward County Drug Court has two diversionary programs that help participants with substance abuse problems avoid jail or prison. The Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program provides an alternative to incarceration for first-time, nonviolent criminal offenders charged with a drug offense. The Diversionary Treatment Program (DTP) is designed to help adjudicated felons who violated their community control or probation due to a failed or suspected drug test subvert returning to prison or accruing additional points toward prison time. Both of these Broward Drug Court programs must last for a minimum of one year.
To be eligible for PTI, a participant must meet the following criteria:
- At least 18 years old,
- Charged with a nonviolent, substance abuse-related charge, and
- No prior felony conviction.
To be eligible for DTP, a participant must meet the following criteria:
- At least 18 years old,
- Have a sentencing score of 52 points or less, and
- Violated community control or probation due to a failed or suspected drug test.
Both of these programs utilize a variety of individualized treatment services to restore the participant as a productive member of society and live a sober life. Program services include: diagnostic and assessment services, orientation group, education groups, individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric counseling, regular status meetings with the drug court judge, participation in sober fellowship meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous, treatment interventions, urinalysis drug screenings, educational and vocational referrals, case management, family orientations, referrals to detoxification facilities, outpatient drug treatment centers, and inpatient drug treatment centers, and transitional sober housing. Participation in Broward County’s Drug Court programs is not free; rather, participants are charged for services on a sliding-scale based on their income.
In addition to PTI and DTP, Broward County also has a Juvenile Drug Court, Family Dependency Drug Court, and a Misdemeanor Drug Court.
For specific information on the Broward County Adult Drug Court program (PTI and DTP), contact:
Gary Hilko, Drug Court Coordinator
Broward County Courthouse, Suite 2807
201 Southeast 6th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-6372
Fax: 954-831-7067
E-mail: Ghilko@17th.flcourts.org
For specific information on the Broward County Family Dependency Drug Court program contact:
Lynn E. Allen, Family Court Manager
Broward County Courthouse, Room 470
201 Southeast 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-7756
Fax: 954/831-6061
E-mail: lallen@17th.flcourts.org
For specific information on the Broward County Juvenile Drug Court program contact:
Francine Vernoia, Juvenile Drug Court Senior Case Manager
450 East Atlantic Boulevard
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Phone: 954-781-4405 Ext. 3434
Fax: 954/-85-6120
E-mail: Fvernoia@spectrumprograms.org
For specific information on the Broward County Misdemeanor Drug Court program contact:
The Honorable Gisele Pollack , County Court Judge, Broward County
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
201 Southeast 6th Street, Suite 200
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-5572
Fax: 954-831-0456
If you have been charged with a drug offense in Broward County, you need a dependable and experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer. The skilled drug defense lawyers at Galanter Law will work tirelessly to choreograph the necessary actions to give an individual their best chance at reducing their drug charge or getting the charges against them thrown out and will provide skilled advocacy and guidance for clients who decide to participate in the Broward County Drug Court program.