Drug Court in Palm Beach County
Eligible Palm Beach County defendants with pending charges for a felony or misdemeanor drug offense can voluntarily choose to participate in Palm Beach County’s Drug Court program. Palm Beach County offers an Adult Drug Court program (for qualified defendants ages 18 and over), Juvenile Drug Court program (for juvenile delinquency involving use of illegal drugs or alcohol), and a Family Dependency Drug Court program (for child abuse or neglect charges that involve parental substance abuse). Upon successful completion of the Drug Court program, the court will drop the participant’s pending drug charge or charges.
The Palm Beach Drug Court program is available to all individuals with a pending felony or misdemeanor drug charge except for sales or trafficking, so long as the individual does not have a previous conviction for a violent crime. Unlike many of Florida’s Drug Courts which limit their programs to first-time offenders, Palm Beach Drug Court is open to both first-time offenders and offenders with multiple prior convictions, so long as those convictions were not for drug sales or trafficking or a violent crime.
Palm Beach County Drug Court programs last for a minimum of one year and consist of a four-phase drug treatment program which integrates substance abuse treatment, sanctions and incentives, and case management to participants. Each of the four phases has specific treatment objectives, therapeutic and rehabilitative activities, and other requirements that participants must meet to be advanced to the next treatment phase. Participants must also participate in individual and group counseling sessions, random urinalysis drug testing, and attend regular status meetings with the drug court judge. Additionally, the program offers assistance with supportive social services such as employment, education, vocational training, and transportation.
Palm Beach Drug Court holds sessions at the Gun Club Criminal Justice Complex in West Palm Beach on Mondays and Fridays and the Belle Glade Courthouse in western Palm Beach County on Tuesdays.
For specific information on the Palm Beach Adult Drug Court program contact:
Dorrie Tyng
Drug Court Coordinator
Palm Beach County Drug Court
3228 Gun Club Road, Room B-126
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Phone: 561-688-4530
Fax: 561-688-4635
Email:
Dtyng@co.palm-beach.fl.us
For specific information on the Palm Beach Family Dependency Drug Court program contact:
Lisa Bozzone
Family Drug court Coordinator
Justice Services Division
Palm Beach County Courthouse
205 North Dixie Hwy., Room 2.2100
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-355-6319
Email:
lbozzone@pbcgov.org
For specific information on the Palm Beach Juvenile Drug Court program contact:
Cristy Altaro
Juvenile Alternative Sanctions Coordinator
205 North Dixie Highway
Juvenile Wing – 2nd Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-355-6586
Email:
CAltaro@co.palm-beach.fl.us
If you have been charged with a drug crime in Palm Beach County, you need a dependable and experienced South Florida criminal defense lawyer. The experienced drug defense lawyers at Galanter Law are well-versed in Florida drug laws and will work tirelessly to help reduce or dismiss your charges, where possible, as well as help you navigate the Palm Beach Drug Court system, should you choose to participate in it.