Manatee DUI Court

THE MISSION OF THE MANATEE COUNTY DUI COURT

To enhance public safety through frequent judicial supervision of repeat DUI offenders by providing intense treatment and community supervision.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This specialized DUI Court program began in Manatee County in July 2009 within the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Manatee County became the fourth County in the State of Florida to implement a DUI Court Program. The Manatee County DUI Court program has received full support from the Manatee County Board of Commissioners. Grant funds were awarded through the Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the Florida Department of Transportation.

The entire team and staff of the Manatee County DUI Court program are dedicated to changing the behavior of repeat DUI offenders that have been arrested two or more times for the offense of DUI. The history of DUI courts have proven to be a highly successful method of dealing with repeat DUI offenders within a community, reducing the number of repeat offenders, reducing DUI accidents and fatalities.

Manatee County DUI Court is modeled after the highly successful Drug Court concept with graduated sanctions and rewards. Court elements are added such as mandatory counseling, case management, random alcohol/drug testing on campus and at home, probation visits and random home visits by law enforcement and treatment staff. Statistics show that the rate of recidivism after completing a DUI Court program is greatly reduced due to the high level of accountability while participating in the program.

Upon acceptance all offenders enter a plea in their DUI case, they are placed on probation for a minimum of one year, required to comply with all terms, conditions and requirements of the Manatee County DUI Court program. They must also comply with Florida Statutes 316.193 and 322.28 where they must serve the minimum mandatory jail time and pay all fines, court costs, program fees and probation fees.

Staffing and Participants Progress

Each participant’s progress will be reported to the entire DUI Court Team through weekly Team Staffings held prior to the status conference or DUI Court. A review of their treatment, alcohol and drug testing, supervision and overall program status will be discussed, along with any program violations and recommendations. The Judge finalizes all rewards and sanctions.

Financial Requirements

All program participants are required to contribute a portion of the expense towards their recovery and individualized treatment plan. An initial $100.00 assessment/application fee along with monthly program fees of $175.00 ($200 monthly program rate starts December 1, 2010) is required. Program participants are also required to pay the mandatory minimum fines, court costs and supervision fees imposed by the court.

    TARGET POPULATION

  • Defendant currently charged with Driving Under the Influence
  • 18 years of age or older
  • BAC of .15 or higher
  • Defendant has 1 or more prior DUI Arrests in the last 5 years
  • Defendant has 2 or more lifetime DUI Arrests
  • Resident of Manatee County
  • Defendant does not have a history of severe mental illness
  • Defendant acknowledges they will comply with all required court appearances, probation terms, random alcohol and drug testing, treatment requirements, treatment sessions and support group meetings

    ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR DUI COURT

  • Defendant currently charged with Driving under the Influence.
  • Defendant has 1 or more prior DUI Arrests in the last 5 years.
  • Defendant has 2 or more lifetime DUI Arrests.
  • Defendant is alcohol dependent and desires to change their behavior, have 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 Manatee County
  • Defendant acknowledges they will be able to attend all required court appearances, treatment sessions and support meetings.

    PHASE I: Orientation – Duration 30 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
  • Assessment fee paid
  • Probation fees current

To advance:
Completed jail time, completed all assessments, pay assessment, program and probation fees, submitted up to 3 consecutive clean urine screens, signed Phase II contract

    PHASE II: Early Recovery – Duration approximately 90 days

  • Follow all rules, regulations and recommendations of treatment.
  • Weekly court appearances
  • Attend weekly scheduled case management meetings.
  • Attend scheduled bi-weekly 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.
  • Obtain support/sober network sponsor
  • Maintain gainful employment or seek employment skills & opportunities.
  • Minimum of 3 monthly random home visit by probation and/or law enforcement.
  • Pay DUI Court Program fees.
  • Set up payment plan for court costs and fines
  • Probation fees current

To Advance:
Completed all phase requirements; current on program and probation 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, regulations and recommendations of treatment.
  • Bi-weekly court appearances
  • Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
  • Attend scheduled bi-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
  • Continue to address medical and mental health issues.
  • Begin and attend financial counseling.
  • Participate in Victim Impact Panel
  • Probation fees current

To Advance:
Completed all phase requirements, must be employed, completed DUI School, minimum of 90 days clean and sober, current on program and probation fees, signed Phase IV contract.

    PHASE IV - Continuance of Care & Commencement - Duration approximately 115 days

  • Follow all rules, regulations and recommendations of treatment.
  • Monthly court appearances
  • Attend scheduled monthly meetings with Probation Officer.
  • Attend monthly case management meetings.
  • Monthly random home visit 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
  • Probation fees current
  • Attend weekly Alumni group meeting
  • Develop Relapse prevention plan
  • Continue to address medical and mental health issues.
  • Complete program exit interview
  • DUI Court Commencement