IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR PASCO AND PINELLAS COUNTIES, FLORIDA

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2007-004 PA/PI-CIR
Pinellas County rescinded per 2008-036 PA/PI-CIR

 

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RE:     DEPENDENCY DRUG COURT PILOT

 

            Sections 397.334 and 39.521, Florida Statutes, authorize creation of a dependency drug court to assist families.  In order to create a dependency drug court pilot in Pasco and Pinellas Counties in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, it is

 

ORDERED:

1.         The purpose of the Dependency Drug Court program is to assist families by addressing the need for substance abuse treatment in identified households. The goal of the Dependency Drug Court program is to provide assistance and resources necessary to overcome addiction and increase the likelihood of family reunification in dependency court.  

 

2.         Potential dependency drug court participants shall be identified by Department of Children and Families or its authorized representative which is currently the Safe Children Coalition.  Acceptance into the dependency drug court program shall be based on the recommendation of the State Attorney, representing the Department of Children and Families, and approval of the Unified Family Court section judge. 

 

3.         In Pasco County, no more than 40 persons may be in Dependency Drug Court at any one time.  If there are 40 persons in Pasco Dependency Drug Court and the State Attorney identifies additional persons who would benefit from Dependency Drug Court, the State Attorney may request that the Chief Judge authorize additional persons for Dependency Drug Court.  The Chief Judge may authorize additional persons if resources permit.

 

4.         In Pinellas County, no more than 40 persons may be in Dependency Drug Court at any one time.  If there are 40 persons in Pinellas Dependency Drug Court and the State Attorney identifies additional persons who would benefit from Dependency Drug Court, the State Attorney may request that the Chief Judge authorize additional persons for Dependency Drug Court.  The Chief Judge may authorize additional persons if resources permit.

 

5.         In Pasco County, when the Unified Family Court section judge has approved a case for transfer to Dependency Drug Court, the Clerk of the Circuit Court shall transfer the case to the appropriate Dependency Drug Court section.  Dependency Drug Court cases shall be heard on a separate calendar.

 

6.         In Pinellas County, when the Unified Family Court section judge has approved a case for transfer to Dependency Drug Court, the case shall retain its section assignment.  Dependency Drug Court cases shall be heard on a separate calendar.

 

7.         Participation in Dependency Drug Court is strictly voluntary.   As contemplated by 42 C.F.R. Section 2.35, a participant in Dependency Drug Court must voluntarily and truthfully provide information to aid the court at each step in the process.  A potential participant must execute a consent form with a waiver of confidentiality for drug treatment prior to final acceptance into the Dependency Drug Court program.

 

8.         A potential participant must either have custody or be seeking custody of a minor child that is the subject of the dependency proceeding.

 

            9.         In order to be eligible to participate in Dependency Drug Court, there must be a goal of family reunification in the dependency case.

 

10.       Successful completion of Dependency Drug Court does not automatically guarantee family reunification; however, successful completion of the program shall be a strong factor in evaluating a determination of family reunification.

 

            11.       This Order shall take effect upon execution and Dependency Drug Court calendars will begin the week of January 15, 2007, in East Pasco County, as soon as practical but no later than the week of March 5, 2007, in West Pasco County, and the week of January 22, 2007, in Pinellas County.

 

            DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, this _____ day of January 2007.

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________________

                                                                                    David A. Demers, Chief Judge

 

 

cc:        All Judges

            The Honorable Bernie McCabe, State Attorney

            The Honorable Bob Dillinger, Public Defender

            The Honorable Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas County

            The Honorable Jed Pittman, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pasco County

            Debbie Gay, Assistant Court Services Director, Pasco County Clerk’s Office

            Carol Heath, Executive Director, Court & Operational Division, Pinellas County

            Gay L. Inskeep, Trial Courts Administrator

            Donna Rasmussen, Director, Guardian ad Litem Program

            Michelle A. Bourrie, Chief Deputy Court Administrator

            Kerry L. Rice, Senior Deputy Courts Administrator, Pasco County

            Bar Associations, Pasco and Pinellas Counties

            Law Libraries, Pasco and Pinellas Counties