20 N. Main Street
Room 300-A
Brooksville, FL 34601

Office: 352-754-5823
Cell: 352-573-8073
Fax: 352-754-4235

Colleen Scarangella, Court Program Specialist I

Hernando County Court Administration provides the Adult Drug Court program described here, under the leadership and supervision of Circuit Judge Don Barbee.

The Hernando County Adult Drug Court Program is a court supervised intensive and highly structured program consisting of both comprehensive out-patient treatment and case management supervision for non-violent offenders. The program includes, but is not limited to, regular court appearances, random drug screens, group/individual counseling and frequent Peer Support Group meeting attendance. The length of this four-phase program is normally 15 to 24 months.

If you meet the criteria to enter the Drug Court Program and your application has been approved by the State Attorney’s office, you will be noticed to appear before the Drug Court Judge. If the Judge approves your entrance into the program, you will be required to enter a plea to your charges and sign a plea agreement before entering the program. Your will be placed on probation while in the program. Upon successful completion of the program, the court will dismiss the charges against you.

Forms & Documents

Hernando County Prison Diversion Drug Court Brochure
Hernando County Prison Diversion Court Application

Program Fees

Each participant is required to pay a $250.00 Prepayment on Participation Fee (non-refundable) (It will cost $25 per month for the duration of the program). All payments shall be made by money orders payable to: Hernando County BOCC

Criteria

The following charges are ACCEPTABLE in Hernando County Drug Court:

  • Felony possession of controlled substance;
  • Purchase of controlled substance;
  • Attempt to purchase controlled substance;
  • Solicitation of purchase controlled substance;
  • Conspiracy to purchase controlled substance;
  • Possession w/intent to distribute (ONLY on case-by-case basis);
  • Obtain prescription drug by fraud;
  • Utter forged prescription;
  • Utter fraudulent prescription;
  • Altering a prescription;
  • Attempt to obtain prescription by fraud;
  • Solicitation to obtain prescription by fraud;
  • Conspiracy to obtain prescription by fraud;
  • Burglary of a Structure (drug related);
  • Grand Larceny (drug related);
  • Prostitution (for drug related offenses);
  • Shoplifting (for drug related offenses);
  • Violation of Probation;
  • Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery (ONLY on cases-by-case basis with permission of State Attorney, victim, and Victim Advocate)

The following charges are UNACCEPTABLE in Drug Court

  • Battery on Law Enforcement Officer;
  • Any case where a gun or weapon is involved;
  • Burglary of a dwelling (except with consent of State Attorney);
  • Sale of illegal drugs (except with consent of State Attorney);
  • Trafficking in drugs;
  • Domestic Violence (except with permission of victim, Victim Advocate, and State Attorney);
  • Current DUI (but may accept w/companion drug related charge)

The Hernando County Adult Drug Court Program includes incentives to address progress and sanctions to address violation of the drug court rules, continuing drug use and other non-compliant behavior.

PHASE I – 8 WEEKS (Minimum)

The focus of PHASE I is encouraging your CHOICE to work towards a drug free life and establish a foundation of abstinence. You must attend an orientation session where psychosocial assessments and initial treatment plans will be completed. You are required to attend individual and/or group therapy sessions; Peer Support Group meetings three times per week; submit to urine testing on a random basis; and attend a court status hearing as scheduled. Your sponsor needs to be verified by the treatment provider before you can advance.

PHASE II – 22 WEEKS (Minimum)

The focus of PHASE II is to stabilize you in treatment, CHALLENGE you to confront underlying issues surrounding addiction, and help you rise to the CHALLENGE of recovery as a way of life. Your treatment plan is reviewed, and specific goals are developed. You must continue to participate in individual and/or group therapy sessions; attend Peer Support Group meetings three times per week; submit to random urine testing; and report for your status hearings as scheduled.

PHASE III – 22 WEEKS (Minimum)

The focus of PHASE III is to promote continued CHANGE within yourself towards self-sufficiency while reconnecting with the community. You are required to participation in individual and/or group counseling, depending on individual needs as demonstrated by the treatment plan; attend Peer Support Group meetings three times per week; submit to random urine testing; and report for your status hearings as scheduled. Phase III treatment continues until you meet specific goals consistent with your treatment plan and demonstrate a drug-free style. Emphasis is placed on case management at this time and those who are dependent on family for housing are encouraged to seek independent living. All services and frequency of contact depends on your overall progress.

AFTERCARE (12 weeks minimum, no maximum)

AFTERCARE is a separate component of the program that is tailored to the specific needs of the participant. You must continue to participate in individual and/or group therapy sessions, attend three Peer Support Group meetings per week; and submit to random urine testing. You must develop an Aftercare/Life Plan focusing on RELAPSE PREVENTION and setting forth your accomplishments and goals in specific areas. All financial obligations must be satisfied in order for you to graduate.

Phase Advancement

Advancement through the phases is contingent on participant meeting all treatment and financial obligations.