Administrative Order No. 2-31.1

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR HARDEE, HIGHLANDS AND POLK COUNTIES, FLORIDA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2-31.1

AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE PRE-TRIAL DETAINEES

ARRESTED FOR CHAPTER 893 VIOLATIONS

WHEREAS, this Circuit has implemented a Substance Abuse Pre-Trial Intervention Program (PTI) and has set up various criteria for admission into that program; and

WHEREAS, it is the intention of this court to have persons eligible for the PTI Program screened and admitted into the program as soon as practicable; and

WHEREAS, this court has a Pre-Trial Services Program that screens all persons arrested and brought to the Polk County Jail to determine whether they are eligible for pre-trial release and can screen alleged violators of Chapter 893 to determine if they meet the legal requirement of the PTI program; it is

ORDERED THAT detainees brought to the Polk County Jail solely for a first time misdemeanor or a first time felony of the third degree for purchase or possession of a controlled substance under Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, are eligible for pre-trial release under supervision of the Pre-Trial Release Program.

Administrative Order No. 2-31.0 is hereby VACATED.

DONE AND ORDERED on this 16th day of April 2004.

RONALD A. HERRING, Chief Judge