The Florida Senate

948.08  Pretrial intervention program.--

(1)  The department shall supervise pretrial intervention programs for persons charged with a crime, before or after any information has been filed or an indictment has been returned in the circuit court. Such programs shall provide appropriate counseling, education, supervision, and medical and psychological treatment as available and when appropriate for the persons released to such programs.

(2)  Any first offender, or any person previously convicted of not more than one nonviolent misdemeanor, who is charged with any misdemeanor or felony of the third degree is eligible for release to the pretrial intervention program on the approval of the administrator of the program and the consent of the victim, the state attorney, and the judge who presided at the initial appearance hearing of the offender. However, the defendant may not be released to the pretrial intervention program unless, after consultation with his or her attorney, he or she has voluntarily agreed to such program and has knowingly and intelligently waived his or her right to a speedy trial for the period of his or her diversion. The defendant or the defendant's immediate family may not personally contact the victim or the victim's immediate family to acquire the victim's consent under this section.

(3)  The criminal charges against an offender admitted to the program shall be continued without final disposition for a period of 90 days after the date the offender was released to the program, if the offender's participation in the program is satisfactory, and for an additional 90 days upon the request of the program administrator and consent of the state attorney, if the offender's participation in the program is satisfactory.

(4)  Resumption of pending criminal proceedings shall be undertaken at any time if the program administrator or state attorney finds that the offender is not fulfilling his or her obligations under this plan or if the public interest so requires. The court may not appoint the public defender to represent an indigent offender released to the pretrial intervention program unless the offender's release is revoked and the offender is subject to imprisonment if convicted.

(5)  At the end of the intervention period, the administrator shall recommend:

(a)  That the case revert to normal channels for prosecution in instances in which the offender's participation in the program has been unsatisfactory;

(b)  That the offender is in need of further supervision; or

(c)  That dismissal of charges without prejudice shall be entered in instances in which prosecution is not deemed necessary.

The state attorney shall make the final determination as to whether the prosecution shall continue.

(6)(a)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a person who is charged with a felony of the second or third degree for purchase or possession of a controlled substance under chapter 893, tampering with evidence, solicitation for purchase of a controlled substance, or obtaining a prescription by fraud; who has not been charged with a crime involving violence, including, but not limited to, murder, sexual battery, robbery, carjacking, home-invasion robbery, or any other crime involving violence; and who has not previously been convicted of a felony nor been admitted to a felony pretrial program referred to in this section is eligible for admission into a pretrial substance abuse education and treatment intervention program approved by the chief judge of the circuit, for a period of not less than 1 year in duration, upon motion of either party or the court's own motion, except:

1.  If a defendant was previously offered admission to a pretrial substance abuse education and treatment intervention program at any time prior to trial and the defendant rejected that offer on the record, then the court or the state attorney may deny the defendant's admission to such a program.

2.  If the state attorney believes that the facts and circumstances of the case suggest the defendant's involvement in the dealing and selling of controlled substances, the court shall hold a preadmission hearing. If the state attorney establishes, by a preponderance of the evidence at such hearing, that the defendant was involved in the dealing or selling of controlled substances, the court shall deny the defendant's admission into a pretrial intervention program.

(b)  At the end of the pretrial intervention period, the court shall consider the recommendation of the administrator pursuant to subsection (5) and the recommendation of the state attorney as to disposition of the pending charges. The court shall determine, by written finding, whether the defendant has successfully completed the pretrial intervention program.

(c)1.  If the court finds that the defendant has not successfully completed the pretrial intervention program, the court may order the person to continue in education and treatment or order that the charges revert to normal channels for prosecution.

2.  The court shall dismiss the charges upon a finding that the defendant has successfully completed the pretrial intervention program.

(d)  Any entity, whether public or private, providing a pretrial substance abuse education and treatment intervention program under this subsection must contract with the county or appropriate governmental entity, and the terms of the contract must include, but need not be limited to, the requirements established for private entities under s. 948.15(3).

(7)  The chief judge in each circuit may appoint an advisory committee for the pretrial intervention program composed of the chief judge or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair; the state attorney, the public defender, and the program administrator, or their designees; and such other persons as the chair deems appropriate. The advisory committee may not designate any defendant eligible for a pretrial intervention program for any offense that is not listed under paragraph (6)(a) without the state attorney's recommendation and approval. The committee may also include persons representing any other agencies to which persons released to the pretrial intervention program may be referred.

(8)  The department may contract for the services and facilities necessary to operate pretrial intervention programs.

History.--s. 6, ch. 74-112; s. 1, ch. 75-301; s. 24, ch. 77-120; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 36, ch. 79-3; s. 1, ch. 80-329; s. 9, ch. 91-225; s. 6, ch. 91-280; s. 1, ch. 93-229; ss. 1688, 1689, ch. 97-102; s. 13, ch. 97-107; s. 123, ch. 99-3; s. 1, ch. 99-152; s. 3, ch. 2001-48; s. 16, ch. 2001-110.

Note.--Former s. 944.025.