“To reduce juvenile crime and drug use through therapeutic  interventions, collaborative community partnerships and intensive judicial supervision of court-involved youth and families thereby improving juvenile and family functioning and community safety.”

• What is Delinquency Drug Court?
  • The 15th Judicial Circuit’s Delinquency Drug Court (DDC) targets youth on Probation who have committed drug-related offenses and/or have a history of substance abuse. The DDC is committed to the goal of reducing juvenile crime and drug use. Success requires both the youth and family’s participation throughout the program.

 

• Who Qualifies?
  A youth is eligible to enter the program if he/she:
  
  1. Is between ages of 12 - 17 (will have at least 18 months before turning 19)
  2. Resides in Palm Beach County
  3. • Is Currently on Probation for any crime that is NOT a 1st degree Felony, a sex crime or a crime involving a firearm and a Violation of Probation has been filed to include one of the following:
       1. failing a random drug screen
       2. Refusal of a random drug screen
       3. Failure to attend outpatient treatment
       4. Failure to complete a JET assessment
     OR
     
     
     • Is currently on Probation for any crime that is NOT a 1st degree Felony, a sex crime or a crime involving a firearm anda Violation of Probation has been filed and information has been received identifying the youth as having a substance abuse issue(s)
     OR
     • failed to complete the Youth Court diversion program and information has been received identifying youth as having a substance abuse issue
     OR
     • Meet criteria as outlined in F.S. 985.345:
       1. Has not previously been adjudicated for a felony;and
       2. Is charged with a felony of the second or third degree for:
          1. Purchace or possession of a controlled substance under Chapter 893;
          2. Tampering with evidence;
          3. Solicitation for purchase of a controlled substance;or
          4. Obtaining a prescription by fraud
  4. Referral by one of the following:
     1. The State Attorney's Office
     2. Defense Counsel
     3. DJJ Probation Officer
     4. Delinquency Drug Court Team member
     5. Juvenile Judge
     6. School District contacts JPO
• Consideration for Team Review:
  1. Youth is deemed a drug dealer or profiteer as opposed to a drug user/abuser
  2. Youth is incapable of benefiting from the program due to serious mental health issues
  3. Youth is prescribed mood altering drugs that will test positive when drug tested;doctor is unable to prescribe an alternative medication that does not test positive
  4. Office of the State Attorney has confidential information that would disqualify him/her from participation in the Delinquency Drug Court
  5. A responsible family member or other advocate should be willing and able to participate in court hearings and treatment activities consistent with the program design


*An exception(s) to the Eligibility Criteria can be referred to and reviewed by the Team



• What Are the Program Components?
  • Delinquency Drug Court is a three-phase program lasting a minimum of eight months.  Participants will work with treatment providers to develop treatment plans and will receive individual and group counseling.  Other program components include: regular court appearances, frequent and random urinalysis, written assignments, and attending school daily.  Progress in the program is reviewed regularly by the Drug Court Team.

• Administrative Office of the Court
• Office of the State Attorney
• Office of the Public Defender
• Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
• Department  of Juvenile Justice
• Palm Beach County School District
• Office of the Clerk and Comptroller
• Youth Court
• Treatment providers