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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