Juvenile Drug Court in Florida

Melbourne Juvenile Drug Attorney

To help delinquent minors kick their alcohol or drug habits, Florida grants them the opportunity to attend juvenile drug court if they are arrested for certain crimes. This program is only available for certain minors, but it’s a better alternative to being an adjudication of juvenile delinquency, which is the equivalent of a criminal conviction.

Having a criminal record at such a young age can severely limit future opportunities. It can make it difficult to get accepted into college, receive loans and find a job. If your child is being investigated for a drug-related offense, you should contact an attorney.

Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney in Melbourne, FL

If you or your child is facing drug charges, you will need the guidance of the attorney at the Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy. We will advocate on your child’s behalf and do everything we can to achieve the best possible outcome for their satiation.

Take the first step in building your defense and contact the Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy. The sooner you act, the better your chances of a more favorable outcome in juvenile court. Bryan McCarthy has experience representing juveniles in court. He will guide you through this complicated process and ensure the rights of your child are protected.

To schedule a free case consultation with the Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy, call (321) 253-3447 or submit your information in the online contact form. We represent juveniles in Florida counties that include Brevard County, Volusia County and Indian River County.

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Information Center

• What is Drug Court?
• Who is Eligible for Juvenile Drug Court?
• Additional Resources

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What is Drug Court?

If you or your child has been given the opportunity to attend a juvenile drug court program, you may be asking yourself what exactly drug court is. For starters, drug court is a treatment program for juveniles with substance abuse issues. It acts as an alternative to spending time in a juvenile dentition center.

According to a national research study, four out of every five children in the juvenile justice system were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when committing a crime. By allowing children and teens the opportunity to attend a drug program, it reduces the rate of substance abuse among juveniles in the future.

Some of the most common charges that can be resolved in juvenile drug court include:

• Minor in possession of alcohol
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Juvenile drug court uses a team approach. They will work with treatment providers to develop a treatment plan that is catered to each minor. The program consists of three phases and can take a minimum of six months to complete.

Other elements of a juvenile drug court include drug and alcohol testing, collaborative planning with the minor, their family and drug court team, judicial review and incentives and sanctions used to reinforce good behavior and modify bad behavior.

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Who is Eligible for Juvenile Drug Court?

Not every delinquent minor is eligible to enroll in a drug treatment program. For starters, you must be a resident of the county where the drug court is located and you must be between the ages of 13 and 17.

Every juvenile drug court follows different criteria when deciding who is eligible for the programs, by it is typically based on the following:

• You have not previously been adjudicated for a felony
• You have not been charged with a second or third-degree felony for the following:
  • Purchase or possession of a controlled substance
  • Tampering with evidence
  • Solicitation for the purchase of a controlled substance
  • Obtaining a prescription by fraud

Whether or not you decide to enroll in a drug court program is entirely up to you. Participation is voluntary, but it’s wise to attend if you are eligible. If you successfully complete the program, your charges will be dismissed. Juvenile drug court is a much better alternative to being convicted or an adjudicated delinquent.

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Additional Resources for Juvenile Drug Court in Melbourne, FL

Treatment-Based Drug Court Programs– Read the full text of the state statute that governs how juvenile drug courts should be operated in Florida. You can also learn about the 10 key components the program should follow. The statute can be read on Online Sunshine, the official website for the Florida Legislature.

Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines– Read a PDF from the United States Department of Justice. You can learn about the objectives and guidelines for the program as well as an in-depth explanation of each objective. The United States Department of Justice is a U.S department that is responsible for enforcement of the countries laws.

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Juvenile Drug Court Lawyer in Melbourne, FL

Becoming a convicted criminal at such a young age has the potential to alter a minor’s life drastically. The Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy will aggressively fight to make sure this doesn’t happen. We will listen to your story and find the best legal options available for your situation.