Introduction

Drop your DUI? If you’re facing a DUI charge in Pinellas County, Florida, there’s a unique opportunity for rapid resolution through the D.R.O.P. Program. Understanding the eligibility criteria and the application process is crucial in successfully navigating through your case. The State Attorney has introduced a voluntary Diversion Program aimed at swiftly resolving first-time misdemeanor DUI and BUI offenses. This supervised initiative mandates participants to fulfill statutory DUI or BUI sanctions, encompassing substance abuse treatment and random substance abuse testing. Approval from the court is necessary for the recommended sanctions and dispositions.

Table of Eligibilty for the D.R.O.P. Program in Pinellas County, FL

Eligible Cases	Yes or No
Breath or blood sample does not exceed .150	Yes
Crash with bodily injury or significant property damage	No
Minor children in the vehicle	No
Accompanying Leaving the Scene of a Crash charge	No
Accompanying felony charge	No
Pending charges or current supervision/release status	No
Prior DUI/BUI conviction or similar offense	No
Valid driver’s license on the date of the offense	Yes
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)	No

 

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The DUI Rehabilitation of Offenders Program

D.R.O.P. stands for DUI Rehabilitation of Offenders Program. It’s a comprehensive diversion program designed for first-time DUI and BUI offenders. This supervised program involves completing statutory DUI or BUI sanctions, including substance abuse treatment and random testing.

Eligibility Criteria for D.R.O.P.

1. • Breath or Blood Sample Limit: To qualify for D.R.O.P., your breath or blood sample should not exceed .150.
     Learn more about DUI/BUI laws in Florida

• • No Crash with Bodily Injury or Significant Property Damage: D.R.O.P. is intended for cases without severe consequences.
    Explore crash-related statistics and laws in Florida

• • No Minor Children in the Vehicle: Cases with minor children present may complicate eligibility for D.R.O.P.

• • No Accompanying Leaving the Scene of a Crash Charge: The absence of a Leaving the Scene of a Crash charge is a key criterion.
    Learn more about hit-and-run laws in Florida

• • No Accompanying Felony Charge: D.R.O.P. is tailored for misdemeanor DUI and BUI offenses. Our team can help clients understand the distinction between misdemeanor and felony charges in Florida. Sometimes our defense clients are offered reduction of a felony charge to misdemeanor  offenses.

• • No Pending Charges or Current Supervision/Release Status: Applicants must not have any pending charges and should not be under any form of supervision or release.
    Check your criminal case status in Pinellas County

• • No Prior DUI/BUI Conviction or Similar Offense: Individuals with a clean record regarding DUI/BUI offenses are eligible for D.R.O.P.

• • Valid Driver’s License on the Date of the Offense: Having a valid driver’s license at the time of the DUI/BUI offense is a fundamental criterion.
    Verify your driver’s license status in Florida

• • No Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Individuals holding a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) are ineligible for D.R.O.P.
    Learn about DUI penalties for commercial drivers in Florida

Conclusion

Understanding the eligibility criteria is essential for those considering the DUI Rehabilitation of Offenders Program in Pinellas County. By meeting these criteria, individuals can take advantage of a voluntary program designed to address first-time DUI and BUI offenses comprehensively. For further information and legal assistance, consider consulting DUI2Go.com or visiting the linked government websites. Remember, eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis, and seeking professional advice is recommended to navigate the legal process effectively.

Summary of Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for D.R.O.P., you must meet specific criteria:

• Breath or blood sample does not exceed .150
• No crash with bodily injury or significant property damage
• No minor children in the vehicle
• No accompanying Leaving the Scene of a Crash charge
• No accompanying felony charge
• No pending charges or current supervision/release status
• No prior DUI/BUI conviction or similar offense
• Valid driver’s license on the date of the offense
• No Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

D.R.O.P. Application Process

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To apply for D.R.O.P., follow these steps:

1. Submit the required documents at or before the second pre-trial hearing.
2. We help you complete out necessary legal filings:
   • DROP Application
   • Statement of Prior Record
   • Waiver of Speedy Trial
3. Include a $50 money order or cashier’s check payable to the State of Florida.
4. If applicable, provide driver record and court documents for prior DUI/BUI arrest.

List of Pinellas DUI Forms

• DROP Application
• Statement of Prior Record
• Waiver of Speedy Trial
• DROP Class Verification Form

Things to Know

Complete the required 20 community service hours at an equivalent location in your county or state. Bring the DUI Program Class Verification Form to DUI School for documentation of successful completion.

Why Choose Casey the Lawyer at DUI2Go.com?

Let us help you 813.222.2220

When facing a DUI charge, having the right legal representation is crucial. Casey the Lawyer at DUI2Go.com has a proven track record of success in handling DUI cases in Pinellas County, Florida. Call 813-222-2220 to discuss your case and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

DUI Rehabilitation of Offenders Program (D.R.O.P.)

If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence, you may be eligible for the DUI Rehabilitation of Offenders Program (D.R.O.P.). You need to apply for this program at or before your case’s second pretrial hearing.

To be eligible for this program, you will be required to perform three conditions in the time frame stated in the D.R.O.P. contract. Those three conditions are as follows:

1. Successful performance of 20 community service hours
2. Successful completion of a FLHSMV-approved DUI School
3. Successful completion of the M.A.D.D. Victim Impact Panel

Like Pr Trial Intervention PTI applications, there is a nonrefundable $50 application fee. The 20 community service hours must be with providers on the attached approved list and cannot be bought out.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

ALL CASES are evaluated on an individual, fact-specific basis, notwithstanding the below criteria. A defendant’s eligibility is determined at the sole discretion of the State Attorney and may be based on relevant factors not mentioned below.

• No cases involving Defendants with a breath or blood sample over 0.150 B.A.C.; no B.A.C. extrapolation is permitted
• No cases involving crashes with bodily injury or significant property damage, or cases that involve minor children in the Defendant’s vehicle
• No cases involving Defendants with accompanying or pending felony charges or on any form of supervision
• No cases involving Defendants with prior commission(s) of similar offenses or who have received prior traffic-related diversion programs
• No cases involving Defendants who did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the offense or who have a CDL

TIER 1 DIVERSION CONDITIONS*

B.A.C. LEVELS 0.120 OR BELOW & DRUG DUIs

TIER 2 DIVERSION CONDITIONS*

B.A.C. LEVELS ABOVE 0.120 AND AT OR BELOW 0.150 & BREATH TEST REFUSALS

*Subject to approval or modification by the Court