The Problem Solving Court is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for nonviolent defendants. This is a program that includes regular court appearances before a designated Problem-Solving Court Judge, a treatment that includes drug testing, individual/group counseling, and regular attendance at support group meetings. The Problem Solving Court Program is a combined effort of the Recovery Support Services, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Court Administration, the Department of Corrections, County Probation and Department of Juvenile Justice. Program participants will be assisted with obtaining education and skills assessments and will be provided referrals for vocational training, education and/or job placement services and other identified services. The program length, determined by each participant’s progress will be based upon specific program guidelines. However, you could be extended in the program in order to graduate or complete prior to program guidelines based upon progress in the program. The final determination of entry into the program shall ONLY be made by the Judge with a recommendation from the State Attorney, defense counsel, probation, and Problem-Solving Court treatment team.
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court programs are judicially supervised treatment programs for defendants charged with a crime and who have a substance use or mental health disorder. Our program’s goal is to help those affected with a mental health/substance use disorders that led them into the criminal justice system, and help them live a law-abiding life.
Indian River County Adult Drug Court
This program includes regular court appearances before Judge Robyn Stone. Defendants will also be required to follow and complete a treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Outpatient/inpatient treatment
- Transitional housing placement (e.g., sober living)
- Random drug testing
- Counseling/therapy
- Educational/employment programs
- Self-help groups
- Medication management
Eligibility for the Indian River County ADC Program
There are two ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Diversion upon entering a plea: For those who are eligible by statute, some defendants can enter the program as a diversion. When a defendant successfully completes the ADC program, their plea is withdrawn, and their criminal charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, the Judge may terminate further participation and impose a sentence. Defendants can expect to participate in the program for a duration determined by the court based on their needs, progress, and participation.
- As a Condition of Probation: The presiding Judge may sentence a defendant to probation with a special condition that they participate in ADC, comply with all its requirements, and successfully complete the program. If a defendant does not successfully participate or complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed. Successful completion of the program does not dismiss criminal charges; however, early termination of probation may be considered.
If you are a defendant interested in Adult Drug Court and believe you may be eligible, please consult with your lawyer about your options.
Indian River County Veteran's Treatment Court
The Indian River County Veteran’s Treatment Court (VTC) program is a judicially supervised treatment program for those people charged with a crime who have previously served in the United States Armed Services. Our program’s goal is to help those affected with a mental health/substance use disorder that led them into the criminal justice system. The program requires a total commitment to remain clean and sober as well as leading a law-abiding life.
This program includes regular mental health court appearances before Judge Nicole Menz. Defendants will also be required to follow and complete a treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Outpatient/inpatient treatment
- Transitional housing placement (e.g., sober living)
- Random drug testing
- Counseling/therapy
- Educational/employment programs
- Self-help groups
- Medication management
Each defendant upon entering the program will be assigned a mentor. Mentors will accompany defendants to court and be someone who the defendant can reach out to for help outside the courtroom. Mentors help maintain a supportive relationship, enhancing the likelihood the defendant will remain in treatment and improve chances of success and sobriety.
Eligibility for the Indian River County VTC Program
There are two ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Diversion upon entering a plea: For those who are eligible by statute, some defendants can be eligible to enter the program as a diversion, which means when the defendant completes the VTC program successfully, their plea is withdrawn and their criminal charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, the Judge can terminate further participation in the program and impose a sentence. Defendants can expect to participate in the program for a duration determined by the court based on the defendant’s needs, progress, and participation.
- As a Condition of Probation: The presiding Judge may sentence a defendant to probation with a special condition that the defendant participate in VTC, comply with all its requirements, and successfully complete the program. If a defendant does not successfully participate or complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed. If a defendant successfully completes the program, their criminal charges are not dismissed; however, early termination of their probation can be considered.
If you are a defendant who is interested in Veteran’s Treatment Court and believe you may be eligible to participate in the program, please consult with your lawyer about your options for your case.
Indian River Mental Health Court
The Indian River Mental Health Court (MHC) program is a court-supervised treatment-based program available to those with pending felony or misdemeanor charges and who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness or intellectual disability as their primary diagnosis. This is a therapeutic-based treatment program that provides case management, therapy, and other wrap-around services to enhance treatment for the mental health diagnosis, substance use disorder, and/or vocational rehabilitation. Engagement in all aspects of therapy helps to improve the defendants’ overall quality of life by promoting independent living, ultimately increasing public safety and reducing crime. After successfully completing the program, the participant will have developed the skills needed to live a more productive and crime-free life within the community.
Eligibility for the Indian River County MHC Program
There are four ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Incompetent to Proceed or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Defendants who are adjudicated incompetent to proceed in their criminal case or are found not guilty by reason of insanity can be placed on conditional release and ordered into mental health court as an added condition.
- Diversion: Once a defendant successfully completes the program or graduates from Mental Health Court, their criminal charges are dismissed. If a defendant does not successfully complete the program, the presiding judge can proceed to sentencing.
- As a Condition of Probation: To enter Mental Health Court as a condition of probation, the sentencing judge in the case must sentence the defendant to probation with a special condition that the defendant comply with all program requirements and successfully complete the program. Once a defendant successfully completes the program, the criminal charges are not dismissed, but early termination of probation can be considered. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed in the case.
- As a Condition of Bond: A judge may order that a defendant participate in Mental Health Court as a condition of bond. This gives a defendant more supervision as their case proceeds through traditional court. This is not a disposition of the case, but a condition of release.
If you are a defendant who is interested in Mental Health Court and believe you may be eligible to participate in the program, please consult with your lawyer about your options for your case.
For any questions regarding Mental Health Court – Please contact Office of the Public Defender – Client Services Division at (772) 337-5691
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court programs are judicially supervised treatment programs for defendants charged with a crime and who have a substance use or mental health disorder. Our program’s goal is to help those affected with a mental health/substance use disorders that led them into the criminal justice system, and help them live a law-abiding life.
Martin County Adult Drug Court
This program includes regular court appearances before Judge Steven Levin. Defendants will also be required to follow and complete a treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Outpatient/inpatient treatment
- Transitional housing placement (e.g., sober living)
- Random drug testing
- Counseling/therapy
- Educational/employment programs
- Self-help groups
- Medication management
Eligibility for the Martin County ADC Program
There are two ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Diversion upon entering a plea: For those who are eligible by statute, some defendants can enter the program as a diversion. When a defendant successfully completes the ADC program, their plea is withdrawn, and their criminal charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, the Judge may terminate further participation and impose a sentence. Defendants can expect to participate in the program for a duration determined by the court based on their needs, progress, and participation.
- As a Condition of Probation: The presiding Judge may sentence a defendant to probation with a special condition that they participate in ADC, comply with all its requirements, and successfully complete the program. If a defendant does not successfully participate or complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed. Successful completion of the program does not dismiss criminal charges; however, early termination of probation may be considered.
If you are a defendant interested in Adult Drug Court and believe you may be eligible, please consult with your lawyer about your options.
Martin Mental Health Court
The Martin Mental Health Court (MHC) program is a court-supervised treatment-based program available to those with pending felony or misdemeanor charges and who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness or intellectual disability as their primary diagnosis. This is a therapeutic-based treatment program that provides case management, therapy, and other wrap-around services to enhance treatment for the mental health diagnosis, substance use disorder, and/or vocational rehabilitation. Engagement in all aspects of therapy helps to improve the defendants’ overall quality of life by promoting independent living, ultimately increasing public safety and reducing crime. After successfully completing the program, the participant will have developed the skills needed to live a more productive and crime-free life within the community.
Eligibility for the Martin County MHC Program
There are four ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Incompetent to Proceed or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Defendants who are adjudicated incompetent to proceed in their criminal case or are found not guilty by reason of insanity can be placed on conditional release and ordered into mental health court as an added condition.
- Diversion: Once a defendant successfully completes the program or graduates from Mental Health Court, their criminal charges are dismissed. If a defendant does not successfully complete the program, the presiding judge can proceed to sentencing.
- As a Condition of Probation: To enter Mental Health Court as a condition of probation, the sentencing judge in the case must sentence the defendant to probation with a special condition that the defendant comply with all program requirements and successfully complete the program. Once a defendant successfully completes the program, the criminal charges are not dismissed, but early termination of probation can be considered. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed in the case.
- As a Condition of Bond: A judge may order that a defendant participate in Mental Health Court as a condition of bond. This gives a defendant more supervision as their case proceeds through traditional court. This is not a disposition of the case, but a condition of release.
If you are a defendant who is interested in Mental Health Court and believe you may be eligible to participate in the program, please consult with your lawyer about your options for your case.
For any questions regarding Mental Health Court – Please contact Office of the Public Defender – Client Services Division at (772) 337-5691
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court programs are judicially supervised treatment programs for defendants charged with a crime and who have a substance use or mental health disorder. Our program’s goal is to help those affected with a mental health/substance use disorders that led them into the criminal justice system, and help them live a law-abiding life.
Okeechobee County Adult Drug Court
This program includes regular court appearances before Judge William Wallace. Defendants will also be required to follow and complete a treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Outpatient/inpatient treatment
- Transitional housing placement (e.g., sober living)
- Random drug testing
- Counseling/therapy
- Educational/employment programs
- Self-help groups
- Medication management
Eligibility for the Okeechobee County ADC Program
There are two ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Diversion upon entering a plea: For those who are eligible by statute, some defendants can enter the program as a diversion. When a defendant successfully completes the ADC program, their plea is withdrawn, and their criminal charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, the Judge may terminate further participation and impose a sentence. Defendants can expect to participate in the program for a duration determined by the court based on their needs, progress, and participation.
- As a Condition of Probation: The presiding Judge may sentence a defendant to probation with a special condition that they participate in ADC, comply with all its requirements, and successfully complete the program. If a defendant does not successfully participate or complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed. Successful completion of the program does not dismiss criminal charges; however, early termination of probation may be considered.
If you are a defendant interested in Adult Drug Court and believe you may be eligible, please consult with your lawyer about your options.
Okeechobee County Veteran's Treatment Court
The Okeechobee County Veteran’s Treatment Court (VTC) program is a judicially supervised treatment program for those people charged with a crime who have previously served in the United States Armed Services. Our program’s goal is to help those affected with a mental health/substance use disorder that led them into the criminal justice system. The program requires a total commitment to remain clean and sober as well as leading a law-abiding life.
This program includes regular mental health court appearances before Judge William Wallace. Defendants will also be required to follow and complete a treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Outpatient/inpatient treatment
- Transitional housing placement (e.g., sober living)
- Random drug testing
- Counseling/therapy
- Educational/employment programs
- Self-help groups
- Medication management
Each defendant upon entering the program will be assigned a mentor. Mentors will accompany defendants to court and be someone who the defendant can reach out to for help outside the courtroom. Mentors help maintain a supportive relationship, enhancing the likelihood the defendant will remain in treatment and improve chances of success and sobriety.
Eligibility for the Okeechobee County VTC Program
There are two ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Diversion upon entering a plea: For those who are eligible by statute, some defendants can be eligible to enter the program as a diversion, which means when the defendant completes the VTC program successfully, their plea is withdrawn and their criminal charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, the Judge can terminate further participation in the program and impose a sentence. Defendants can expect to participate in the program for a duration determined by the court based on the defendant’s needs, progress, and participation.
- As a Condition of Probation: The presiding Judge may sentence a defendant to probation with a special condition that the defendant participate in VTC, comply with all its requirements, and successfully complete the program. If a defendant does not successfully participate or complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed. If a defendant successfully completes the program, their criminal charges are not dismissed; however, early termination of their probation can be considered.
If you are a defendant who is interested in Veteran’s Treatment Court and believe you may be eligible to participate in the program, please consult with your lawyer about your options for your case.
Okeechobee Mental Health Court
The Okeechobee Mental Health Court (MHC) program is a court-supervised treatment-based program available to those with pending felony or misdemeanor charges and who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness or intellectual disability as their primary diagnosis. This is a therapeutic-based treatment program that provides case management, therapy, and other wrap-around services to enhance treatment for the mental health diagnosis, substance use disorder, and/or vocational rehabilitation. Engagement in all aspects of therapy helps to improve the defendants’ overall quality of life by promoting independent living, ultimately increasing public safety and reducing crime. After successfully completing the program, the participant will have developed the skills needed to live a more productive and crime-free life within the community.
Eligibility for the Okeechobee County MHC Program
There are four ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Incompetent to Proceed or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Defendants who are adjudicated incompetent to proceed in their criminal case or are found not guilty by reason of insanity can be placed on conditional release and ordered into mental health court as an added condition.
- Diversion: Once a defendant successfully completes the program or graduates from Mental Health Court, their criminal charges are dismissed. If a defendant does not successfully complete the program, the presiding judge can proceed to sentencing.
- As a Condition of Probation: To enter Mental Health Court as a condition of probation, the sentencing judge in the case must sentence the defendant to probation with a special condition that the defendant comply with all program requirements and successfully complete the program. Once a defendant successfully completes the program, the criminal charges are not dismissed, but early termination of probation can be considered. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed in the case.
- As a Condition of Bond: A judge may order that a defendant participate in Mental Health Court as a condition of bond. This gives a defendant more supervision as their case proceeds through traditional court. This is not a disposition of the case, but a condition of release.
If you are a defendant who is interested in Mental Health Court and believe you may be eligible to participate in the program, please consult with your lawyer about your options for your case.
For any questions regarding Mental Health Court – Please contact Office of the Public Defender – Client Services Division at (772) 337-5691
Okeechobee County Early Childhood Court
The Okeechobee Early Childhood Court program serves infants and toddlers (ages 0-5) who are involved in the dependency court system and placed in out-of-home care, striving for improved family outcomes using a national approach, with best practices. ECC recognizes the unique needs of both the parent and child with the goal always focused on the best interest of the child.
The goal is to improve child safety and well-being, heal trauma, repair the parent/child relationship, promote timely permanency, prevent recurrence of maltreatment and stop the intergenerational cycle of maltreatment including abuse, neglect, and violence.
ECC is a trauma-responsive court. In order for the child to reach timely permanency and prevent re-abuse, our program offers a: specialized docket, multidisciplinary team, non-adversarial approach, evidence-based treatment, judicial supervision, accountability, individualized interventions, concurrent planning and access to additional resources in the community.
This is a voluntary program that includes monthly family team meetings and court appearances before the judge. Parents with an open dependency case are required to follow and complete a case plan, Circle of Security (COSP- Parenting Education Classes) and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). Case plan services may include some or all of the following:
- Provides a healthy and encouraging reunification process
- Faster permanency (Reunification, Permanent Guardianship, or Adoption)
- Reduction in likelihood of re-abuse
- Improved well-being
- Mends broken relationships in the family
- Trauma informed Judge and multidisciplinary team
- Reduces trauma and abuse for Children
Eligibility Criteria for the Early Childhood Court Program
Cases with the following criteria shall be identified as potential participation for ECC :
- Families where children have been sheltered as a result of an allegation of abuse, abandonment, neglect, violence or substance abuse.
- The case involves a family with a child or children ages 0-5 years who are adjudicated dependent with the primary goal of reunification and placed in out-of-home care. This population was chosen because of the profound and lifelong impact of adverse childhood experiences, including child abuse and neglect, during the time of increased brain development.
- The parent(s) consent to the petition for adjudication of dependency and agree to participate in ECC.
- The parent(s) have the capacity and liberty to participate in the intensive interventions, which include monthly hearings, frequent visitation, and weekly treatment.
Families may be excluded from participation in ECC for reasons including, but not limited to:
- The parent has severe uncontrolled mental illness or a severe intellectual disability that would prevent him or her from participating in therapy.
- Cases with egregious maltreatment where the perpetrator is unknown or current/ potential criminal charges related to the case may also be excluded.
- The parent is incarcerated for an extended period of time.
- The parent is otherwise unable to commit to intensive intervention.
- It is ultimately the decision of the court which cases will be accepted for ECC services.
Message From the Judge
- In creating Early Childhood Court (ECC), the Florida Legislature has recognized that children under the age of five, accrue to 50% of children in out of-home care. Studies have also shown that healthy attachment and early brain development is crucial to a child’s future well-being. In addition, early trauma has shown to have lifelong impacts on children and can be a pipeline to a multitude of societal problems. When I was assigned to Okeechobee dependency court, I immediately started researching and focusing on what we could do to help the children in dependency. This program will give Okeechobee citizens access to resources that are often unavailable to them.
The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court programs are judicially supervised treatment programs for defendants charged with a crime and who have a substance use or mental health disorder. Our program’s goal is to help those affected with a mental health/substance use disorders that led them into the criminal justice system, and help them live a law-abiding life.
Saint Lucie County Adult Drug Court
This program includes regular court appearances before Judge Charles Schwab. Defendants will also be required to follow and complete a treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Outpatient/inpatient treatment
- Transitional housing placement (e.g., sober living)
- Random drug testing
- Counseling/therapy
- Educational/employment programs
- Self-help groups
- Medication management
Eligibility for the Saint Lucie County ADC Program
There are two ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Diversion upon entering a plea: For those who are eligible by statute, some defendants can enter the program as a diversion. When a defendant successfully completes the ADC program, their plea is withdrawn, and their criminal charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, the Judge may terminate further participation and impose a sentence. Defendants can expect to participate in the program for a duration determined by the court based on their needs, progress, and participation.
- As a Condition of Probation: The presiding Judge may sentence a defendant to probation with a special condition that they participate in ADC, comply with all its requirements, and successfully complete the program. If a defendant does not successfully participate or complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed. Successful completion of the program does not dismiss criminal charges; however, early termination of probation may be considered.
If you are a defendant interested in Adult Drug Court and believe you may be eligible, please consult with your lawyer about your options.
Saint Lucie County Veteran's Treatment Court
The Saint Lucie County Veteran’s Treatment Court (VTC) program is a judicially supervised treatment program for those people charged with a crime who have previously served in the United States Armed Services. Our program’s goal is to help those affected with a mental health/substance use disorder that led them into the criminal justice system. The program requires a total commitment to remain clean and sober as well as leading a law-abiding life.
This program includes regular mental health court appearances before Judge Jeffrey Hendriks. Defendants will also be required to follow and complete a treatment plan that may include some or all of the following:
- Outpatient/inpatient treatment
- Transitional housing placement (e.g., sober living)
- Random drug testing
- Counseling/therapy
- Educational/employment programs
- Self-help groups
- Medication management
Each defendant upon entering the program will be assigned a mentor. Mentors will accompany defendants to court and be someone who the defendant can reach out to for help outside the courtroom. Mentors help maintain a supportive relationship, enhancing the likelihood the defendant will remain in treatment and improve chances of success and sobriety.
Eligibility for the Saint Lucie County VTC Program
There are two ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Diversion upon entering a plea: For those who are eligible by statute, some defendants can be eligible to enter the program as a diversion, which means when the defendant completes the VTC program successfully, their plea is withdrawn and their criminal charges are dismissed. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, the Judge can terminate further participation in the program and impose a sentence. Defendants can expect to participate in the program for a duration determined by the court based on the defendant’s needs, progress, and participation.
- As a Condition of Probation: The presiding Judge may sentence a defendant to probation with a special condition that the defendant participate in VTC, comply with all its requirements, and successfully complete the program. If a defendant does not successfully participate or complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed. If a defendant successfully completes the program, their criminal charges are not dismissed; however, early termination of their probation can be considered.
If you are a defendant who is interested in Veteran’s Treatment Court and believe you may be eligible to participate in the program, please consult with your lawyer about your options for your case.
Saint Lucie Mental Health Court
The Saint Lucie Mental Health Court (MHC) program is a court-supervised treatment-based program available to those with pending felony or misdemeanor charges and who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness or intellectual disability as their primary diagnosis. This is a therapeutic-based treatment program that provides case management, therapy, and other wrap-around services to enhance treatment for the mental health diagnosis, substance use disorder, and/or vocational rehabilitation. Engagement in all aspects of therapy helps to improve the defendants’ overall quality of life by promoting independent living, ultimately increasing public safety and reducing crime. After successfully completing the program, the participant will have developed the skills needed to live a more productive and crime-free life within the community.
Eligibility for the Saint Lucie County MHC Program
There are four ways participants may be eligible to enter the program:
- Incompetent to Proceed or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Defendants who are adjudicated incompetent to proceed in their criminal case or are found not guilty by reason of insanity can be placed on conditional release and ordered into mental health court as an added condition.
- Diversion: Once a defendant successfully completes the program or graduates from Mental Health Court, their criminal charges are dismissed. If a defendant does not successfully complete the program, the presiding judge can proceed to sentencing.
- As a Condition of Probation: To enter Mental Health Court as a condition of probation, the sentencing judge in the case must sentence the defendant to probation with a special condition that the defendant comply with all program requirements and successfully complete the program. Once a defendant successfully completes the program, the criminal charges are not dismissed, but early termination of probation can be considered. If the defendant does not successfully complete the program, a violation of probation can be filed in the case.
- As a Condition of Bond: A judge may order that a defendant participate in Mental Health Court as a condition of bond. This gives a defendant more supervision as their case proceeds through traditional court. This is not a disposition of the case, but a condition of release.
If you are a defendant who is interested in Mental Health Court and believe you may be eligible to participate in the program, please consult with your lawyer about your options for your case.
For any questions regarding Mental Health Court – Please contact Office of the Public Defender – Client Services Division at (772) 337-5691