Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court - State of Florida Fifth Judicial Circuit

Marion County Judicial Center, Room 1-1057
110 NW First Avenue
Ocala, FL 34475

Office: 352-401-8146
Fax: 352-401-8160

Ennetta Mozell, Court Assistant

The Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court Program is a court supervised, highly structured program. The program includes, but is not limited to, regular court appearances, case management supervision; random drug screens, group/individual substance abuse counseling or approved substance abuse educational program and frequent Peer Support Meetings. The length of this three phase program is normally 6 to 12 months.

If you meet the criteria to enter the Misdemeanor Drug Court Program and your application has been approved, you will be noticed to appear before the Misdemeanor Drug Court Judge. Upon successful completion of the program, the court will dismiss these charges against you.

Forms & Documents

Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court Application Packet with Participation Agreement
Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court Brochure (English)
Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court Brochure (Espanol)
Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court Procedures

Agreement is for review purposes only. If represented by an attorney, potential participants are required to review agreement in its entirety with their attorney.

Criteria

Those persons who are eligible include:

Defendants charged with a misdemeanor for controlled substance or drug paraphernalia under Florida Statute 893; prostitution under Florida Statute 796.07; possession of alcohol while under 21 years of age under Florida Statute 562.11; possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription under Florida Statute 499.03, or other allowable misdemeanor may be considered for participation in this program.

In addition to the above criteria:

the Defendant may not have been previously convicted of a felony;
the Defendant must be a citizen of Marion County, Florida;
the Defendant’s participation must be voluntary and the Defendant must consent in writing to fully participate in the Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court (MDC) Program before he/she may be accepted into the MDC;
the application must be approved by the presiding MDC judge and;
the Defendant must waive their right to a speedy trial and execute an “Agreement To Participate In The Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court (MDC) Program” division.

The Marion County Misdemeanor Drug Court Program includes incentives to address progress and sanctions to address violation of the drug court rules, continuing drug use and other noncompliant behavior.

PHASE I – 6 WEEKS (Minimum)

to call the Marion County Probation Provider message line everyday between 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.;
to show on time for any random drug screens as directed by Marion County Probation Provider ;
to attend at a minimum, one support group meeting a week, with proof of attendance to Marion County Probation Provider, as required;
to maintain a journal outlining what you learned or gained from attendance at your support group meetings;
to have available for review, your journal at each court appearance;
to schedule and obtain an evaluation appointment from a licensed treatment provider within seven (7) days of my first MDC appearance;
to begin any and all recommended treatment or if no treatment is required to sign-up for the substance abuse educational course;
to attend all meetings with your Marion County Probation Provider, probation counselor as scheduled or instructed;
to have not less than four (4) negative drug screens;
to attend weekly court appearances or as instructed by the court;
to seek and/or maintain lawful employment or demonstrate enrollment as a full-time student, unless in residential treatment;
to be sanction free for at least 2 weeks prior to phase movement;
to pay all fees, in a timely manner; and
to follow added instructions from the court

PHASE II – 12 WEEKS (Minimum)

to call the Marion County Probation Provider message line everyday between 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.;
to show on time for any random drug screens as directed by Marion County Probation Provider. The numbers of drug screens are reduced in Phase II;
to attend at a minimum, one support group meeting a week, with proof of attendance to Marion County Probation Provider, as required;
to maintain a journal outlining what you learned or gained from attendance at your support group meetings;
to have available for review, your journal at each court appearance;
to be attending any required treatment sessions and following through with any treatment plan objectives, goals and recommendations;
to attend and complete any required substance abuse course;
to attend bi-monthly ( 2 times a month) court appearances or as instructed by the court;
to attend all meetings with your Marion County Probation Provider, probation counselor as scheduled or instructed;
to continue to seek and/or maintain lawful employment or demonstrate enrollment as a full-time student, unless in residential treatment;
to have no less than 6 negative drug screens;
to be sanction free for at least 2 weeks prior to phase movement;
to have all fees paid up to date; and
to follow added instructions from the court

PHASE III – 6 WEEKS (Minimum)

to call the Marion County Probation Provider, message line everyday between 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
to show on time for any random drug screens as directed by Marion County Probation Provider, Marion County;
to attend at a minimum, one support group meeting a week, with proof of attendance to Marion County Probation Provider, as required;
to maintain a journal outlining what you learned or gained from attendance at your support group meetings;
to have available for review, your journal at each court appearance;
to continue attending any required treatment or educational sessions, following through with any treatment plan objectives, goals or recommendations and to complete a relapse prevention plan approved by the counselor as part of their aftercare plan (This aftercare plan must be approved by the drug court team);
if not attending treatment, to provide an aftercare plan to the court, , that what recount what they have learned during his/her time in the program, how he/she will apply these skills in the future and what safety plan he/she has in case they feel like they are slipping into a re-lapse (This aftercare plan must be approved by the drug court team);
to consistently have negative drug screens;
to be sanction free for at least 4 weeks; and
have all fees paid in full

Phase Advancement

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

Program Fees

Each participant is required to pay a $25.00 application fee that must accompany the completed application and if accepted, $10.00 payable monthly over the program length. All payments are non-refundable and payments shall be made by money orders payable to: Marion County BOCC.

Participants will be responsible for all other program related fees.

(Excludes additional sanctions fees if applicable)