Pretrial Intervention

St. Petersburg Pretrial Intervention (PTI) Attorney

If you are a First Time Offender and have been arrested for a criminal offense in the Tampa Bay Area including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Tampa, Hillsborough County, or surrounding counties, contact the Morris Law Firm, St. Petersburg Criminal Attorney, for specific information and expertise on getting your criminal Charges Dismissed.

If you are a first time offender and have been arrested for a criminal offense in the Tampa Bay Area including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Tampa, Hillsborough County, or surrounding counties, contact the Morris Law Firm, St. Petersburg Criminal Attorney, for specific information and expertise on Pretrial Intervention Programs (PTI) in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.

What is Pre-Trial Intervention?

Pretrial Intervention Programs were created to provide individuals (typically non-violent first time offenders) possible rehabilitation opportunities and reduce recidivism as an alternative to potential jail or prison sentences, or permanent criminal charges on their record.

Pretrial Intervention programs are designed for individuals charged with a crime, and are usually specific to the type of crime committed.  Pretrial Intervention Programs typically provide appropriate counseling, education, supervision, and medical and psychological treatment for individuals released to such programs.

Who Is Eligible for Pretrial Intervention?

Florida Statute Section 948.08 states that, "…[a]ny first offender, or any person previously convicted of not more than one nonviolent misdemeanor, who is charged with any misdemeanor or felony of the third degree is eligible for release to the pretrial intervention program on the approval of the administrator of the program and the consent of the victim, the state attorney, and the judge who presided at the initial appearance hearing of the offender."

In essence, you must typically be a non-violent first time offender, and your attorney must negotiate with the prosecutor in your case to successfully place you into a Pretrial Intervention Program and avoid formal criminal charges.

There are specific stipulations in the Florida Statutes Section 948.08 that deal with Pretrial Intervention Program eligibility for controlled substance and drug offenders.  The Statute states, “a person who is charged with a felony of the second or third degree for purchase or possession of a controlled substance …or obtaining a prescription by fraud; who has not been charged with a crime involving violence…and who has not previously been convicted of a felony nor been admitted to a felony pretrial program referred to in this section is eligible for voluntary admission into a pretrial substance abuse education and treatment intervention program…"  As well, Florida Statute Section 948.16 states that, "[a] person who is charged with a misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia…and who has not previously been convicted of a felony nor been admitted to a pretrial program, is eligible for voluntary admission into a misdemeanor pretrial substance abuse education and treatment intervention program…"  These types of Pretrial Intervention Programs are sometimes referred to as Drug Courts.

Benefits of Pre-Trial Intervention Programs:

• Avoid the stress and cost of a criminal trial
• Avoid potential criminal charges
• Avoid a potential permanent criminal record
• Receive counseling, education, medical, and psychological treatment
• Reduced recidivism rates for those who successfully complete PTI
• Eligibility to have criminal charges Expunged

Individuals who successfully complete a Pretrial Intervention Program will have their criminal charges dismissed.  It is important to understand that even though your criminal charges may be dismissed, it does not mean that they have been Expunged.  Expunging your criminal record in Florida is a separate process that may be initiated after you have completed a Pretrial Intervention Program.

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Potential Defenses:

We will strive to file any necessary motions to dismiss or motions to attempt to exclude evidence in an effort to maximize your opportunity for a positive outcome.  As your criminal defense lawyer, we will represent you at any necessary pre‐trial hearings, pre‐trial motions, and at trial.

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What To Do Next:

If you have been arrested:

1.  Don't speak to the police - ask to have an attorney present.
2.  Don't give a written statement – again, ask to have an attorney present.
3.  Contact an attorney immediately.
4.  Collect and document your own evidence.

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You have a very narrow window of time between when you are arrested and when the State Attorney's office makes a decision to file a criminal charge against you.  Hiring an attorney immediately to negotiate on your behalf gives you the best chance of avoiding criminal charges.

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Morris Law Firm | St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney for Pre-Trial Intervention

If you are a first time offender seeking to enter a Pretrial Intervention Program to potentially avoid formal criminal charges, contact a St. Petersburg First Time Offender Attorney to discuss possible defenses and specific strategies that may exist in your case.  Call the Morris Law Firm at 727-388-4736 to discuss your case directly with an attorney, or fill out our Online Form to be contacted for a Free Initial Consultation.  The Morris Law Firm can help and has specific knowledge and experience in defending first time offenders seeking Pre-Trial Intervention throughout Pinellas County and the entire Tampa Bay, FL Area (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, Hillsborough, Pasco, Bradenton, Manatee, and Sarasota).