THE MISSION OF SARASOTA COUNTY’S DUI COURT
The mission of DUI Court is to reduce the number of repeat DUI offenders by providing alternative community-based treatment, thereby increasing both offender productivity and public safety.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Target Population, Model & Structure
The Sarasota County DUI Court began June of 2008 within the 12th Judicial Circuit. This specialized court is very unique being only the third of its kind in the entire state of Florida. The Sarasota DUI Court has received full support from the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners and the Criminal Justice Commission. Grant funds were petitioned and awarded through the Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the Florida Department of Transportation. It has been noted that Florida is the third highest- ranking state in the country in alcohol related traffic fatalities, however, the Sarasota County DUI Court institutes full accountability for the high-risk impaired driver.
The Sarasota DUI Court is dedicated to changing behavior targeting offenders who are alcohol dependent having two or more prior DUI convictions. Specialized DUI Courts are a proven method to effectively address community struggles with habitual DUI offenders. It’s modeled after the highly successful Drug Court concept, having a graduated sanction/reward structure and following specific Guiding Principles. Furthermore, it adds elements within the court such as mandatory counseling, case management, drug and alcohol testing, and community supervision. Statistics from operational DUI Courts show that recidivism decreases substantially after completion the highest level of accountability. Participants are twenty percent less likely to re-offend.
Upon acceptance of the offender’s plea to the DUI charge the offender is placed on supervised probation for a period of at least one year. During this time, the DUI offender is required to comply with the mandatory statutory requirements of Florida Statutes 316.193 and 322.28 and complete all phases of DUI Court.
Staffing and Participants Progress
Each participant’s progress will be reported to the entire DUI Court through weekly team staffings held prior to the status conference court proceeding. Detailed status reports are prepared and copied for the Judge and all team members to review as a part of the staffing process. A review of their treatment and overall program status will be discussed, along with any program violations and recommendations. The judge finalizes all rewards and sanctioning.
Financial Requirements
Participants are required to provide a portion of costs towards their individualized DUI program. An initial $100.00 application/assessment fee and $175.00 monthly program fees are required. Participants are also required to pay their mandatory minimum fines and supervision costs as ordered. Mandatory contribution from participants has therapeutic benefits, allowing participants to be empowered having a sense of ownership through their steps of sobriety and recovery.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DUI COURT
- Defendant currently charged with Driving Under the Influence.
- Defendant has 2 or more prior DUI convictions.
- Defendant is alcohol dependent and desires to change behavior having a willingness to complete a treatment program and participate in recovery.
- No serious violent criminal history.
- No evidence of drug dealing
- 18 years of age or older.
- Must reside in Sarasota County
- Defendant acknowledges they will be able to attend all required court appearances, treatment sessions and support meetings.
PHASE I: Orientation – Duration - (up to 45 days)
- Mandatory jail time.
- Weekly Court Appearances.
- Clinical assessment
- Mental Health assessment
- Case Management assessment
- Probation orientation and assessment
- Minimum of one home visit prior to jail release by Probation and/or law enforcement.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week
- Comply with any additional requirements recommended by the treatment provider
To advance:
Completed jail time, completed all assessments, submitted up to 3 consecutive clean urine screens, signed Phase II contract
PHASE II: Early Recovery – Duration - (approximately 90 days)
- Follow all rules and regulations of treatment.
- Weekly court appearances
- Attend weekly scheduled case management meetings.
- Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
- Attend a minimum of 3 support/sober network meetings per week.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week.
- Enroll in DUI School.
- Maintain employment or seek employment skills & opportunities.
- Minimum of 3 monthly random home visits by Probation and/or law enforcement.
- Pay DUI Court Program fees.
To Advance:
Completed all phase requirements; current on program fees, minimum of 30 consecutive days clean and sober, signed Phase III contract.
PHASE III - Maintenance & Relapse Prevention - Duration - (approximately 115 days)
- Follow all rules and regulations of treatment.
- Bi-weekly court appearances
- Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
- Attend scheduled weekly case management meetings.
- Minimum of 3 monthly random home visits by probation and/or law enforcement.
- Attend a minimum of 3 support/sober network meetings per week.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week.
- Maintain gainful employment.
- Pay DUI Court program fees
- Set up payment plan for court cost and fines.
- Continue to address medical and mental health issues.
- Begin and attend financial counseling
- Participate in Victim Impact Panel
To Advance:
Completed all phase requirements, must be employed, completed DUI School, minimum of 90 days clean and sober, current on program fees, signed Phase IV contract.
PHASE IV - Continuance of Care & Commencement - Duration - (approximately 115 days)
- Follow all rules and regulations of treatment.
- Monthly court appearances
- Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
- Attend monthly case management meetings.
- Monthly random home visits by probation and/or law enforcement.
- Attend a minimum of 3 support/sober network meetings per week.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week.
- Maintain gainful employment.
- Pay DUI Court program fees, court costs and fines
- Attend weekly Alumni group meeting
- Develop Relapse prevention plan
- Continue to address medical and mental health issues.
- Complete program exit interview
- DUI Court Commencement
THE MISSION OF SARASOTA COUNTY’S DUI COURT
The mission of DUI Court is to reduce the number of repeat DUI offenders by providing alternative community-based treatment, thereby increasing both offender productivity and public safety.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Target Population, Model & Structure
The Sarasota County DUI Court began June of 2008 within the 12th Judicial Circuit. This specialized court is very unique being only the third of its kind in the entire state of Florida. The Sarasota DUI Court has received full support from the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners and the Criminal Justice Commission. Grant funds were petitioned and awarded through the Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the Florida Department of Transportation. It has been noted that Florida is the third highest- ranking state in the country in alcohol related traffic fatalities, however, the Sarasota County DUI Court institutes full accountability for the high-risk impaired driver.
The Sarasota DUI Court is dedicated to changing behavior targeting offenders who are alcohol dependent having two or more prior DUI convictions. Specialized DUI Courts are a proven method to effectively address community struggles with habitual DUI offenders. It’s modeled after the highly successful Drug Court concept, having a graduated sanction/reward structure and following specific Guiding Principles. Furthermore, it adds elements within the court such as mandatory counseling, case management, drug and alcohol testing, and community supervision. Statistics from operational DUI Courts show that recidivism decreases substantially after completion the highest level of accountability. Participants are twenty percent less likely to re-offend.
Upon acceptance of the offender’s plea to the DUI charge the offender is placed on supervised probation for a period of at least one year. During this time, the DUI offender is required to comply with the mandatory statutory requirements of Florida Statutes 316.193 and 322.28 and complete all phases of DUI Court.
Staffing and Participants Progress
Each participant’s progress will be reported to the entire DUI Court through weekly team staffings held prior to the status conference court proceeding. Detailed status reports are prepared and copied for the Judge and all team members to review as a part of the staffing process. A review of their treatment and overall program status will be discussed, along with any program violations and recommendations. The judge finalizes all rewards and sanctioning.
Financial Requirements
Participants are required to provide a portion of costs towards their individualized DUI program. An initial $100.00 application/assessment fee and $175.00 monthly program fees are required. Participants are also required to pay their mandatory minimum fines and supervision costs as ordered. Mandatory contribution from participants has therapeutic benefits, allowing participants to be empowered having a sense of ownership through their steps of sobriety and recovery.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DUI COURT
- Defendant currently charged with Driving Under the Influence.
- Defendant has 2 or more prior DUI convictions.
- Defendant is alcohol dependent and desires to change behavior having a willingness to complete a treatment program and participate in recovery.
- No serious violent criminal history.
- No evidence of drug dealing
- 18 years of age or older.
- Must reside in Sarasota County
- Defendant acknowledges they will be able to attend all required court appearances, treatment sessions and support meetings.
PHASE I: Orientation – Duration - (up to 45 days)
- Mandatory jail time.
- Weekly Court Appearances.
- Clinical assessment
- Mental Health assessment
- Case Management assessment
- Probation orientation and assessment
- Minimum of one home visit prior to jail release by Probation and/or law enforcement.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week
- Comply with any additional requirements recommended by the treatment provider
To advance:
Completed jail time, completed all assessments, submitted up to 3 consecutive clean urine screens, signed Phase II contract
PHASE II: Early Recovery – Duration - (approximately 90 days)
- Follow all rules and regulations of treatment.
- Weekly court appearances
- Attend weekly scheduled case management meetings.
- Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
- Attend a minimum of 3 support/sober network meetings per week.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week.
- Enroll in DUI School.
- Maintain employment or seek employment skills & opportunities.
- Minimum of 3 monthly random home visits by Probation and/or law enforcement.
- Pay DUI Court Program fees.
To Advance:
Completed all phase requirements; current on program fees, minimum of 30 consecutive days clean and sober, signed Phase III contract.
PHASE III - Maintenance & Relapse Prevention - Duration - (approximately 115 days)
- Follow all rules and regulations of treatment.
- Bi-weekly court appearances
- Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
- Attend scheduled weekly case management meetings.
- Minimum of 3 monthly random home visits by probation and/or law enforcement.
- Attend a minimum of 3 support/sober network meetings per week.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week.
- Maintain gainful employment.
- Pay DUI Court program fees
- Set up payment plan for court cost and fines.
- Continue to address medical and mental health issues.
- Begin and attend financial counseling
- Participate in Victim Impact Panel
To Advance:
Completed all phase requirements, must be employed, completed DUI School, minimum of 90 days clean and sober, current on program fees, signed Phase IV contract.
PHASE IV - Continuance of Care & Commencement - Duration - (approximately 115 days)
- Follow all rules and regulations of treatment.
- Monthly court appearances
- Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
- Attend monthly case management meetings.
- Monthly random home visits by probation and/or law enforcement.
- Attend a minimum of 3 support/sober network meetings per week.
- Submit to a minimum of 3 random alcohol/drug screens per week.
- Maintain gainful employment.
- Pay DUI Court program fees, court costs and fines
- Attend weekly Alumni group meeting
- Develop Relapse prevention plan
- Continue to address medical and mental health issues.
- Complete program exit interview
- DUI Court Commencement