Articles Posted in pretrial

After a first DUI arrest in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey or Dade City, many people hear about a program called DROP. It is run by the State Attorney’s Office for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers both Pinellas and Pasco counties. DROP can offer a potential reduction from DUI to reckless driving,…

After a first DUI arrest in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview or Plant City, many people ask whether Hillsborough County has a program for first-time cases. The State Attorney’s Office has one called RIDR, short for Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism. It can offer a potential reduction from DUI to reckless driving, which may be negotiated by an…

A first misdemeanor arrest in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview or Plant City usually brings one urgent question: is there a way to resolve this without a conviction? In Hillsborough County, one possible path is the Misdemeanor Intervention Program, known as MIP. It is a potential alternative to criminal prosecution that may be negotiated by an experienced…

Someone arrested for the first time in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, or Pinellas Park often hears the letters “PTI” within days, from a friend, a relative, or someone met in a jail hallway. Pinellas PTI is real, and it is not the only option. Pinellas County has a number of diversion and pretrial intervention programs.…

A first arrest in Tampa, Plant City, Brandon, or Riverview usually brings a flood of worry, and one hopeful question high on the list: isn’t there some kind of program for first-timers? In Hillsborough County, the short answer is yes. There are a number of diversion and pretrial intervention programs here. Whether one fits a…

Earlier today, Paul Manafort was ordered detained by a federal judge after his bond was revoked for violating the terms of his pretrial release. Pretrial detention can have a significant impact upon the strategy employed during a case, as well as the ultimate outcome. One big consideration in a criminal case is whether a defendant…