Law Offices of Russo Pelletier & Sullivan

Pinellas “Recovery MATTERS” Jail Based Drug Treatment Program Now Open

Our office recently posted a blog about Pinellas County’s desire to reinstitute a jail based substance abuse treatment program See: Drug Court Returns to Pinellas County. Since that article went live, this multifaceted addiction based program has now become available.

“Recovery MATTERS” (Men Attaining Treatment Through Evidence-Based Recovery Systems) is now a reality for those persons sentenced to serve time in the Pinellas County Jail. Eligibility and program obligations are somewhat complex. For that reason, the content below should only be considered for general informational purposes. The facts and circumstances of every criminal case are different. For that reason, you should schedule an appointment for a free consultation to discuss whether “Recovery MATTERS” is right for you. The assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney is vital for evaluating your eligibility and making proper effective application for participation in the program. The importance of having an attorney who is knowledgeable  about this process is exemplified by the following factors:

1.  Eligibility is tied to the nature and legal classification of your pending charge(s);

2.  Application for the program requires both court approval and coordination with multiple agencies within the local criminal justice system;

3.  Evaluating this program versus other options that may be available for resolving your case in an alternative manner that could avoid a jail sentence. See: Avoiding Jail, Avoiding Conviction, PTI, or a second chance through probation.

Eligibility for Recovery MATTERS

- Only men are eligible to participate in the program

- Your pending criminal charge may not be a violent felony offense, sex offense or escape

- Violations of Probation Offenses may be eligible for the program so long as the underlying charge and nature of the violation is unrelated to violence

- Prior violent convictions are not a disqualifier for participation in the program

- A legitimate substance abuse addiction must be identified by an evaluation performed by a licensed provider

- A determination by the Pinellas County Sherriff’s Department that the applicant has a moderate to high risk of re-offending unless they participate in the program. The PCSO uses the LS/CMI, (Level of Service/Case Management Inventory)system as an assessment tool. This includes a consideration of such areas as prior criminal history, education/employment, family/marital, leisure/recreation, alcohol/drug use and antisocial patterns.)

- You must be “court ordered” as a condition of your sentence to participate in this jail based program

Program Features

- Located in the Central Division of the Pinellas County Jail in 4C3

- Participation limited to forty bed spaces which are segregated from the general jail population

- Twenty weeks of intensive jail based treatment provided by Operation PAR

- Upon successful completion of the jail based treatment, clients would be released from the jail

- Misdemeanor offenders would follow up their jail based treatment with eight weeks of out-patient aftercare treatment with WestCare

- Felony offenders would follow up their jail based treatment with thirty-two weeks of out-patient aftercare treatment with WestCare

Treatment Components

- Motivational enhancement therapy

- Cognitive-behavioral therapy

- Individual & group counseling

- Substance abuse education

- Life/job training

- Financial literacy

- Parenting classes (if appropriate)

Note: Additional optional classes are available to participants in other areas including, but not limited to impulse/anger control, getting your GED, and workplace readiness education.

This new jail based treatment program is a great opportunity for some individuals. But for other people, it  may not be their best choice available. There may be several options available to you in resolving your case. You are invited to schedule a free consultation with our office to discuss the best possible strategy for achieving an outcome based on what is most important to you. Call us for a free Initial consultation.

Arrested for a Criminal Charge That was Motivated by Addiction?

Call a lawyer who can help!
Free consultation: (727) 578-0303

Visit our Criminal Defense website: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Prescription Drug Defense Website: www.floridaprescriptionfraud.com
Visit our DUI website: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com

The attorneys at Russo & Russo are are honored to be members of
the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals.

 

 

 

 

Related Links:

 Watch a Video About The Pinellas County Drug Court

Felony Drug Charges in Pinellas County
Prescription Fraud Charges in Pinellas County
Doctor Shopping Charges in Pinellas County
Pinellas County Drug Court
Pinellas Lawyer Reveals Illegal Police Tactics in Doctor Shopping Cases

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Pinellas Drug Court and the Requirement for a “Solutions” Addiction Evaluation

Pinellas County’s Drug Court offers successful participants the opportunity to avoid being a convicted felon. More importantly, individuals can avoid incarceration in both the Pinellas County Jail and state prison sentences within Florida’s Department of Corrections. The lawyers in our office routinely make court appearances in the Pinellas County Drug Court on behalf of clients facing charges of Prescription Fraud, Doctor Shopping, and Felony Drug Possession.  Attorneys Frank Russo, Marc Pelletier and Tim Sullivan are the only Pinellas County lawyers who are members of the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals . You can take advantage of of a wealth of information on their website dedicated exclusively to defending prescription drug offenses that have taken place in the St. Petersburg and Clearwater areas.

Where Does “Solutions” Fit in the Pinellas County Drug Court Picture?

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners has contracted with Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Consultants to provide initial substance abuse evaluations. If you are thereafter recommended for “out patient treatment” and the Drug Court Judge concurs, you will be required to complete this out  patient counseling at either Solutions or the Center for Rational Living. However, it has been our experience that Solutions handles the majority of drug court participants who have been approved for an out patient program. It is important to note that  Pinellas County Drug Court Judge Deanna Farnell and the State Attorney’s Office rely on “Solutions” to recommend the proper level of treatment modality. For this reason, you cannot effectively participate in the Drug Court Program without having first had the benefit of obtaining a “solutions” substance abuse evaluation.

How to Obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation at Solutions

If your case is assigned to the Drug Court Division and you have already appeared before Judge Farnell, it is likely that you were provided with a “Solutions” evaluation appointment. These assessment time slots are closely monitored, so it is important that you arrive in a timely fashion.

Clients who are represented by our office typically have the benefit of arriving at their first court date with their Solutions evaluation already completed. Some clients have even begun their counseling sessions. This expedited process serves two important purposes:

1. It starts your relationship off with the judge in the best possible manner. Our “proactive” approach conveys to the court your recognition of an addiction problem and your respect for the judicial system by taking these immediate steps… even before court ordered to do so.

2. Securing your recommended counseling path typically results in a quicker start to your counseling sessions. This in turn, often translates into immediately working on your addiction, completing your drug court obligations earlier and the opportunity to then request an early termination from your drug court participation.

Where is Solutions Behavior Healthcare Consultants Located?

Crownpoint Business Center
1319 Starkey Road
Suite #14
Largo, FL 33773

(Solutions is located at the intersection of Ulmerton & Starkey Roads)

What Takes Place at a “Solutions” Substance Abuse Assessment?

You will pay for and participate in a Biopsychosocial Assessment which will be conducted by a Solutions Counselor. This assessment typically takes approximately one hour and is designed to diagnose your past behaviors, emotions and thoughts. The evaluation is  rather straightforward and is conducted in a simple question/answer format directed toward the following areas:

• Your past physical and mental health history
• Your risk of imposing danger to yourself or others
• Your educational level
• Your employment history
• Your substance abuse history
• Your family history
• Your prior involvement in the criminal justice system.

At the conclusion of the assessment, the counselor will normally not inform you of the results. However, within a rather short period of time, we can obtain for you a copy of the written report that will include all of the factual findings and the formal recommendation as to the level of treatment that is being forwarded to your judge. 

How Much Will I be Charged for Counseling at Solutions?

Most services are provided on a sliding scale, that is calculated based on your income and your financial ability to pay. Payment for services can be made by cash, check, money order, debit cards and credit cards.

How “Solutions” May Continue to Be Involved in Your Drug Court Case

If your out patient treatment takes place at Solutions, their counseling personnel will continue to have a direct impact on your case the entire time you participate in drug court. This holds true, despite whether you are seeking a dismissal of the charge through your involvement in the Pre-Trial Intervention Program or, if you are avoiding a formal felony conviction through a withhold of adjudication. Each time you appear before the Drug Court Judge, Solutions will make a report to the court on on your treatment experience. There account will include the following important areas of concern:

• Whether you are actively participating in individual or group counseling sessions
• Whether your attendance in counseling is in compliance with the intended path for your success and recovery
• Whether the results of your random urinalysis testing have been positive or negative for the presence of controlled substances
• Whether your current lifestyle is conducive to your recovery program

What if You are Referred for “Residential” Treatment?

There are times that that the severity of addiction could lead to a recommendation by Solutions for “residential” treatment. The Drug Court’s referral for residential treatment purposes typically involves the following residential addiction facilities:

Goodwill Substance Abuse Treatment Services : (6 month residential treatment program)
WestCare Emerge: (6 to 7 month residential treatment program)
WestCare Focus: (16 to 18 month long term residential treatment program)
Simply Hope: (Transitional housing up to 6 months)
The Solid Rock Christian Ministries: (1 to 36 month Faith based transitional housing with recovery program)

How We Can Help

Our office can at times be helpful in providing Solutions with clarification or additional relevant information about our clients that could impact or justify a recommendation that is consistent with the desired level of treatment. The best time to provide us with this information is prior to the evaluation taking place. For this reason, it is again advantageous to secure the assistance of qualified legal counsel at the earliest opportunity.

Recently, Pinellas County has experienced a shortage of bed space availability at the various residential treatment facilities. This backlog can sometimes result in Drug Court participants having to wait an extended period of time to begin their residential treatment program. The problem can add a level of complexity for an individual who recognizes a genuine need for immediate treatment. Because the drug court judge is empowered with the authority to order that an individual participate in a variety of treatment models, it could be highly beneficial to have us craft an argument to the court as to why immediate out patient counseling would be beneficial.                                                         

The attorneys at Russo & Russo are are honored to be members of
the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals.

Arrested for a Drug Related Charge & Have an Interest in Drug Court?

We can help!
Free consultation: (727) 578-0303

 

Visit our Criminal Defense website: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Prescription Drug Defense Website: www.floridaprescriptionfraud.com
Visit our DUI website: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com

Other helpful information regarding Pinellas County’s Drug Court

Is the Pinellas County Drug Court Right for You?

Grammy Award Winner James Taylor Sings Praises in Pinellas Drug Court
New Pinellas Drug Court Program Targets Women with Prescription Drug Addictions

Related Links:

Understanding Your Pinellas Felony Drug Charge
Getting a Lawyer’s Help for Pinellas Doctor Shopping Charges
Strategies & Options in St. Petersburg & Clearwater  Prescription Fraud Cases
Avoiding a Felony Conviction in a Pinellas County Courtroom
Possible Option for Getting a Pinellas Drug Charge Dismissed
Getting Your Pinellas County Criminal Records Sealed

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