The Pinellas County Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (APAD) program was implemented earlier this year as a way to reduce costs of incarceration and prosecution of certain types of misdemeanors. These are:
- Possession of up to ten grams of marijuana or up to 20 grams if it is clearly established that the marijuana is intended solely for personal use and it does not appear ready for sale
- Possession of marijuana paraphernalia
- Possession of alcohol under 21 years of age
- Petit Theft (Under $300)
- Retail Theft (Under $300)
- Criminal mischief (under $1,000 damage)
- Misdemeanor assault (Non domestic related)
- Misdemeanor battery (Must be no injuries or very minor injuries and non-domestic related)
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disorderly intoxication
- Trespass
- Littering
Criteria for admission into the APAD program are:
1. You must admit that you committed the criminal offense, acknowledge responsibility for your actions and accept responsibility;
2. You must agree to make restitution to the victim, if applicable;
3. You must not present a safety risk to others;
4. You cannot have a prior misdemeanor adjudication or withhold of adjudication within the preceding two years;
5. You cannot have a prior felony adjudication or withhold of adjudication within the preceding five years;
6. You must not have participated in APAD within the previous three months;
7. The maximum number of times you can participate in APAD is three times;
8. You must have sufficient ties to the Pinellas County community.
Because participation in the APAD program does not involve arrest, there will be no case information on the county public records website. All of those involved will be required to complete community service and there are classes to attend relevant to the specific offense. For example, those receiving a drug offense will be required to attend a drug class. Other types of classes include anger management and shoplifters awareness. Restitution is also required for any property damage that may have occurred.
For more info, please go here: http://www.pcsoweb.com/alternative-sentencing
http://pcsoweb.com/Data/Sites/1/media/extra-pdf/fy-17-q-1-statistical-report.pdf
Following the pill mill crackdown in Florida several years ago, there was a significant reduction in opioid related deaths. Sadly, this trend has reversed in the last three years. The Florida Medical Examiners Commission has reported that opioid related deaths increased to a projected 5,328 in 2016 (3,896 were reported in 2015). While Oxycodone related deaths remained relatively stable, Fentanyl and Heroin related deaths saw sharp increases. These two substances remain relatively easy to get on the street and at a substantially lower cost.
To see a copy of this interim report, please click below. http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cms/MEC/Publications-and-Forms.aspx
