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Juvenile Drug Court

In the juvenile courts in Broward County, there are two tracks to the Juvenile Drug Court program.

The first drug court program can result in a dismissal of the charges, while the second track does not result in a dismissal fo the charges. Drug court is for juveniles who have been identified as having a substance abuse issue or are at risk of developing a substance abuse issue and are charged with:

• a non-violent misdemeanor
• a non-violent 3rd degree felony
• a 2nd degree felony offenses involving the purchase of a controlled substance

Any allegation that the child was selling drugs or involved in drug trafficking will make the child ineligible for drug court.

Attorney for Juvenile Drug Court in Broward County, FL

If you are under the age of 18 years old and were charged with a drug offense involving the possession of marijuana or another type of controlled substance, then contact an experienced juvenile defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL, at Meltzer & Bell.

Our attorneys represent juveniles in drug cases throughout Broward County including Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Hollywood and Deerfield Beach, FL. Contact us for a free consultation. We have seen all most every type of juvenile case from an underaged DUI or minor in possession of alcohol to the most serious charges for sexually molesting a younger child.

Call (954) 765-6585 today.

Eligibility for the Juvenile Drug Court Program

To be eligible, the child must not have been previously been convicted of a felony offense. After completing the drug court program, the prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office will enter a “nolle prosequi,” which means the charges will be dropped.

The second track of juvenile drug court is designed for youth who are identified as having substance abuse problems, but who do not fit the above requirements. At the end of these cases, the prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office in Broward County, will not enter a nolle prosequi. But if the child completes the program, then no additional penalties will be imposed.

For children with serious substance abuse issues who want to get help, the programs allow the child to partake in community-based treatment programs, intensive case management services, and whatever other types of assistance they may need to avoid reliance on controlled substances all under judicial supervision.

This article was last updated on Friday, November 3, 2017.