Alternative Courts

Domestic Violence Court | Drug Court | Mental Health Court | Teen Court

Domestic Violence Court


Due to a dramatic increase in the number of domestic violence cases, a separate Domestic Violence Court was created. The goal of the Court is to ensure that all appropriate persons involved in criminal domestic violence receive rehabilitative assistance in the form of a 29 week Certified Batterer’s Intervention Program. This program is designed to address the issues of jealousy, communication, control, anger, tension reduction, and the cycle of abuse. A Domestic Relations Pre-Trial Intervention Program has been established through the Salvation Army Probation Department to offer counseling and early intervention treatment services to individuals who have been arrested for a misdemeanor act of domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Court FAQ's

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM?
Individuals may be considered for the Pre-Trial Intervention Program if they are a first-time offender charged with a battery offense against a spouse, partner, or other person with whom a close personal relationship is maintained. They must be willing to admit there is a problem and to seek counseling for violent behavior. The victim of the battery must not have sustained severe injury sufficient to require serious medical care. You will be required to attend a Certified Batterer’s Intervention Program for a minimum of 29 weeks and will pay $50.00 per month for the costs of supervision.

WHAT DO I DO ONCE I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE PRE-TRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM?
The Salvation Army Corrections Department, who will supervise you while you are in the Pre-Trial Intervention Program, will give you a Notice to Report to the Salvation Army Probation Office for execution of the Domestic Violence Deferred Prosecution Agreement, which is to be signed within ten days of acceptance into the program. They will provide you with a list of qualified certified counselors/agencies and direct you further.

Drug Court


Drug Court is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for nonviolent offenders of certain drug related crimes. The defendant is required to plead guilty or no contest to the crime and appear regularly before the Court to monitor compliance with the conditions of the program. Frequent drug testing is required along with attendance at counseling and 12 step meetings. The program length is determined by individual progress, but will not be less than 12 months. Successful completion of the program will result in the charges being dismissed.

Drug Court FAQ's

WHY WAS A DRUG COURT CREATED?
The goal of the Hernando County Drug Court is to unite the judiciary, law enforcement, treatment providers and the community in a program that allows eligible defendants to receive drug treatment and support services so that they can conquer their addiction, thereby improving their lifestyle and reducing crime.

WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT AND SUPPORT DOES DRUG COURT PROVIDE?
If accepted into the Drug Court program, a defendant will receive three levels of treatment plus an aftercare program, if needed.

Level One Treatment is intensive outpatient treatment lasting a minimum of eight weeks. During this phase, each participant attends an orientation session. Psychosocial assessments and initial treatment plans will be completed. Participants are required to attend counseling and AA/NA meetings three times per week. Urine testing is provided a minimum of two to three times weekly on a random basis; and the participant is required to attend a Court Status Hearing weekly.

After successfully completing Level I treatment, the treatment plan for each participant is reviewed and specific goals are developed for each participant. The participant will continue to participate in counseling at least twice a week. Random urine testing is conducted once or twice a week and participants must meet attendance goals prior to progressing to the next level. Vocational and educational assessments occur to identify individual needs and to refer participants to specialized resources. Bi-weekly attendance at Court Status Hearings is required, as well as attendance and participation three times a week at a community support group, such as AA or NA. Level II is a minimum of 22 weeks.

Level III treatment is a minimum of 22 weeks. Regular participation is required during this phase in group or individual counseling, depending on the participant’s needs as demonstrated by the treatment plan. It is during this phase that emphasis will be placed on case management and continued participation in fellowship groups such as NA and AA. Focus is given to the participant returning to the work force or other vocational needs, as well as for those who are dependent on family for housing, to encourage them to seek independent living. Level III treatment continues until the participant has met specific goals consistent with the treatment plan and has demonstrated a drug-free lifestyle. Group counseling shall be required a minimum of once a week, with regular random urine drug screens. All services and frequency of contact depends on the overall progress of the participant.

HOW CAN I BECOME A PARTICIPANT IN DRUG COURT?
If you have been charged with a drug-related crime and feel you can benefit from the Hernando County Drug Court Program, you can obtain an application form from the Hernando County Jail, from the office of the Public Defender or from the office of the Alternative Courts Coordinator at the Hernando County Courthouse. The completed application must be filed with the Alternative Courts Coordinator at the Courthouse. Your application will be considered and you will be scheduled for a hearing before the Judge of Drug Court for a determination as to your eligibility.

For additional information about the Hernando County Drug Court program, contact:

ALTERNATIVE COURTS COORDINATOR
20 N Main Street - Room 242
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 540-6279

Mental Health Court


Mental Health Court is a special part of the Hernando County Circuit Court. It is a court supervised program for non-violent, mentally ill, criminal offenders who reside in Hernando County, who need treatment and other services, and who choose to participate in Mental Health Court instead of having their cases proceed in the regular court process.

Mental Health Court FAQ's

WHY WAS MENTAL HEALTH COURT CREATED?
Mental Health Court was created to improve the court system's ability to identify, assess, evaluate and treat mentally ill offenders by providing Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys with better information so that they may make more informed decisions about how to balance the need to preserve public safety with the individual treatment needs of offenders. Mental Health Court furnishes intensive case management and regular supervision to participants with a focus on accountability and monitoring of the participants' performance to reduce recidivism, and encourage mentally ill offenders to build successful lives.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
The Hernando County Mental Health Court Treatment Team prepares a treatment plan for you based on an assessment of your needs for mental health treatment, substance abuse or alcohol treatment, case manangement services, and housing. In order to participate in the Mental Health Court, you must agree to comply with your treatment plan.

HOW LONG WILL I BE INVOLVED IN MENTAL HEALTH COURT?
Mental Health Court is a Four-Phase program that lasts up to 12 months. It may take longer for some participants. The amount of time you spend in Mental Health Court is determined by your participation and by your progress. While you are participating in Mental Health Court, you will be required to follow your treatment plan, including taking medications prescribed for you by your treating psychiatrist, primary care physician, or nurse practitioner; abstain from alcohol and from all non-prescribed or illegal drugs; submit to random drug and alcohol testing; participate in substance abuse or alcohol treatment; and lead a law abiding life.

For additional information about the Hernando County Mental Health Court Treatment program, contact:

ALTERNATIVE COURTS COORDINATOR
20 N Main Street - Room 242
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 540-6279

Teen Court


Teen Court is a program that involves young people, ages 10 to 17, in the sentencing of their peers. It is a prosecution alternative for first time offenders, also ages 10 to 17, who have admitted guilt to a misdemeanor crime and have expressed the desire to make better decisions in the future. Young people serve as the prosecuting attorney, the defense attorney, the bailiff, the court clerk and as jurors. A local volunteer attorney presides as Judge and is the only adult directly involved in the Court proceedings.

Teen Court FAQ's

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF TEEN COURT?
The purpose of Teen Court is to interrupt the developing pattern of criminal behavior in juveniles by promoting self-esteem, motivation for self-improvement and forming a healthy attitude toward authority. The offenders assume responsibility for their behavior and accept the consequences of their actions through community service work, serving on the Teen Court jury and any punishment sanctioned by a Teen Court jury of their peers.

Teen Court provides an educational experience for the offender and teen volunteers. The teens are given “hands-on” experience with the legal process, become familiar with the Court system and learn about various career opportunities through the community service they perform.

Teen Court enables young people a unique challenge and opportunity to demonstrate to adults and themselves their capacity for self government and responsible citizenship.

HOW DOES TEEN COURT WORK?
Cases heard in Teen Court are crimes such as shoplifting, possession of alcohol, criminal mischief and many other misdemeanor offenses. Sources of referral are law enforcement, Department of Juvenile Justice and the State Attorney’s Office.

The teen offender comes before Teen Court having acknowledged guilt. The offender and their parent/guardian meet with the Teen Court Coordinator for a pretrial interview to go over the rules and guidelines of the program. Once the teen has been accepted into the program, a Waiver of Speedy Trial is signed.

In the Court session, after the teen clerk calls the case, the Judge explains the offense committed. The teen defense and prosecution attorneys then present the case to the teen jury through the testimony of the offender, the incident report and a pretrial information sheet compiled by the Coordinator. After carefully listening to the facts, the teen jury deliberates the case and decides a constructive sentence for the offender.

The offender and their parent/guardian then meet with the Coordinator to sign a contract to complete the sentence they have received from the teen jury. Once the offender completes their sentence, a Successful Completion report is sent to the State Attorney’s Office, Department of Juvenile Justice and the referring agency. If the offender does not complete their sentence or rejects the teen jury sentence, then their case is returned to the appropriate referral source for prosecution.

WHEN IS TEEN COURT?
Teen Court is held every Monday evening in Courtroom "D" of the Hernando County Government Complex. All volunteers must sign in by 5:30 PM. The actual court session begins promptly at 6:00 PM. Attire must be appropriate for court. Shorts are not allowed in the courtroom. Shirts may not have any writing, slogans or logos and must be able to be tucked into pants or skirt.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEEN COURT VOLUNTEERS?
Must be between the ages of 10 and 17
Must be in good academic standing
Must abide by the rules of the program
Must sign and respect the "Oath of Confidentiality"
Must demonstrate maturity and sensitivity

HOW CAN I BECOME A TEEN COURT VOLUNTEER?
Student volunteers interested in serving as jurors, prosecutors, defense attorneys, bailiffs and clerks are always needed. Training sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the year.

For additional information about the Hernando County Teen Court Program, contact:

Teen Court Coordinator
20 N Main Street - Room 251
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 540-6263

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