Included in this handbook is very important information that you will need to know for your journey through the Desoto Case Management Court. If you have questions, ask your assigned Counselor or any other available staff. You are responsible for knowing and complying with all the rules and regulations described here.
No person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination under any program or activity receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance and administered by the Department.
Program Length: The Case Management Court is an 8-month to 16-month curriculum. The length is dependent upon which track the client is on.
The last four months in the program must consist of abstinence from all form of alcohol, drugs and any mind-altering chemicals. If you should relapse at any point of the last four months in the program, additional time will be imposed to assure that you have 90 days clean and sober prior to graduating.
New law violations, threatening behavior, and exhaustion of community resources can lead to program termination.
Phases: The Case Management Court program has four distinctive phases. Each phase has mandated requirements that clients must comply with.
Fees: Upon signing the full contract, you required to set up a payment plan with the Desoto County Clerk of Court, 115 E. Oak St., Suite 104, Arcadia, FL 34266. You will also be responsible to pay $15 treatment court fee per week or perform 2 public service hours per week.
Court Attendance: Court is every other Monday at 3 pm (unless otherwise noted) at the Desoto County Courthouse, 115 E. Oak St., Arcadia, FL 34266. All participants must remain in court the entire proceeding. Work and/or school schedules must be submitted for extenuating circumstances. If you test positive for alcohol or drugs, you must attend the next four (4) consecutive court sessions.
Courtroom Rules: Clothing must be appropriate (see the section titled “Appropriate Attire for Court & Office” (no drug/alcohol/sex references, and no hats or sunglasses); cameras, food, beverages, and gum chewing are forbidden. Turn off cell phones, radios, and pagers. Cell phones and any other electronic devices are subject to be taken if it’s not respectfully turned off at all times inside the courtroom.
Sanctions: Case Management Court has a graduated sanction approach for rule infractions. Sanctions may include but are certainly not limited to: essays/research projects, community service work, jury box court observation, increased drug testing, frequent court appearances, curfew, electronic monitoring, offender work program, residential placement and jail. The judge makes all final rulings pertaining to sanctions.
Jail: The court can sentence you to jail for any infraction, especially for non-compliance. Normally you will be handcuffed and taken straight from court.
Public Service Hours: Public service hours may be performed in lieu of the treatment court fee or may be assigned as a sanction. All hours must be documented and filled out and signed by the facility supervisor. A list of various work locations is available in the office; all hours can be verified at any time. Appropriate documentation is required for proof of hours; public service forms are available in the Case Management Court office.
Probation: You may be sentenced to probation while participating in Case Management Court. If that is the case, after signing your contract, you are under the supervision of probation (either misdemeanor or felony). You must make the required contacts with your assigned probation officer and adhere to all your probationary terms, conditions and financial obligations. If you plan to leave the metropolitan area overnight for either business or pleasure, you must first obtain permission from your probation officer.
Public Defender’s Office: If you don’t have your own attorney, have permission of the court, and if you qualify, you may be assigned an assistant public defender. You must see him/her before you sign your contract.
Counseling: You will be assigned a counselor, and you will be required to schedule an initial 1:1 appointment for a full assessment to be completed. Furthermore, an individualized treatment plan will be developed; appointments are generally about 30 minutes to one hour.
Group: You must attend all designated groups recommended by your assigned counselor, which includes one Phase Group. However, you can attend groups of your choice to further meet treatment requirements with your counselor approval. For accountability purposes; attendance, promptness and participation is a must. Any changes to your weekly group schedule can only be adjusted by your counselor or the program director. Confidentiality must be maintained within the group. The use of cd/IPod/mp3 players, pagers, cell phones, text and social media messaging, other electronic devices, and outside reading materials are not permitted during group. Being disrespectful and using profanity shall not be tolerated nor threatening behavior and angry outbursts. Such behavior may result in being asked to leave the group and/or facility. It’s not permitted to leave the counseling/group sessions for any reason, such as to provide a urine screen, to make personal phone calls, cellular texting/social media, etc.
Sign in on the electronic Kiosk in the lobby. Group will begin at the assigned time. No one will be admitted once the door has closed. If you sign in for group, you must be available when the group is called. If you are not in the lobby, you will not be admitted into group after the facilitator has started. You are expected to drop or use the restroom well before group begins or after group is completed. You will not be admitted once the door is closed. You are not allowed to sign in for anyone other than yourself. If you do, neither of you will be given credit for the group.
Support Meetings: You must attend support meetings. The required number of meetings depends on which phase you are in. Chairpersons/facilitators at the meetings must sign your meetings report/reaction sheets, which you must fill out in full, including what you have learned. Meeting reports/reaction sheets are due every Friday by 4 pm. You can submit them directly to your counselor or case manager.
Sponsorship: You must get a sponsor to enhance recovery and support network. Your sponsor must call your counselor to be verified. Sponsors must have at least one year of clean time, and be of the same gender. You must obtain a sponsor during Phase III. You must have your sponsor re-verified prior to moving to each next phase. You cannot advance to the next phase without obtaining a sponsor.
Case Management: While in Phases I and II, you must meet with the case manager weekly. The case manager can be seen by appointment or when you come into the office for drug screen/groups/individuals. You can receive comprehensive coordinated services to assist with problems involving housing, employment, education, childcare, domestic violence, and medical insurance, etc. The Case Management Court strives for each participant to enhance their total wellness.
Confidentiality: The counselors are forbidden by law to disclose that you are a Treatment Court client unless you sign a Release of Information.
Parking: There are parking spots reserved for treatment court clients in front of the Desoto County Probation building. Additional parking is also available in the back of the building.
Being Late: All participants must be on time, being late for any treatment activity is not tolerated and admittance may not be granted. You are subject to a sanction from the Judge if you fail to keep scheduled counseling, group sessions, and drug testing requirements.
Sign-In Sheet: A sign-in sheet is provided in every group session. You must sign in to get credit for the group attendance. The sign-in sheet is put out 15 minutes prior to the start of the group. Groups are limited to 10 participants.
Behavior: You must act and speak appropriately in the Treatment Court office and on the building premises. Inappropriate and disrespectful behavior is not tolerated and will result in sanctions and possible termination. Bringing weapons or drugs into the office, fighting, or other serious violations can, furthermore, result in termination and/or additional criminal charges. You may never enter the inner door without permission from staff. If no one is in the front office, please be patient and someone will be with your shortly. Do not knock on the window/door.
Absences: Attendance and full participation are mandatory! All absences are unexcused unless pre-approved by your counselor, program coordinator, and/or Judge. Maintain communication with your counselor. If you cannot reach your counselor, speak to the program director or another counselor. Leaving a voicemail/text message does not excuse you from any program and treatment activity.
Holidays: You will be notified if the office is closed during the holidays. On holidays all scheduled meetings/groups held in the Treatment Court office will be cancelled. If the office is closed on a day that you normally attend group, you must plan to attend group on another day.
Visitors: You may not bring visitors beyond the inner door. Exceptions may be made for small children who are accompanied by their parents for 1:1 sessions; however, children are not allowed in groups. Former program graduates may visit and attend groups anytime.
Attire: You may not wear sunglasses. Also, you may not wear clothing with images or words about alcohol or drugs or with lewd pictures or profanity, or clothing that is too revealing. If you come dressed inappropriately, you will be turned away (see the section titled “Appropriate Attire for Court & Office”).
Electronics: Cell phones, pagers, mp3 and iPods must be turned-off in group and counseling sessions. You may not wear headphones, text nor use social media of any type at any time. Electronic devices must be turned off or placed on silent mode.
Profanity: Inappropriate language and excessive profanity are not permitted.
Food and Beverages: You may not have food or drinks inside the group rooms. Please be courteous and throw all trash in the trash cans.
Travel Requests: If you plan to travel out of Desoto County overnight, you must first request permission from the Case Management Treatment Court staff and Probation (if applicable). A travel request form (located in the lobby) must be completed in its entirety and submitted to staff at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to travel dates. The request must include travel dates, destination, and the purpose of travel. The Judge has final say as to whether this request will be approved. In some situations, you may be required to bring and test with a monitoring device (Ex. PAM, SCRAM, or GPS). If approved to travel, you must submit to a drug screen within 24 hours before and after return. It is your responsibility to meet with probation before you leave to obtain a travel permit. If you are required to take a monitoring device, it is also your responsibility to obtain and set up that device prior to departing. Any changes in your request must be immediately reported to Case Management Court staff. Failure to do so may result in a sanction.
All individuals entering the courtroom/office shall be dressed appropriately, clean, and neat. Dress that is disturbing and distracting in court is inappropriate. This is a court of law, and the clothes and appearance must be safe and not disruptive to the judicial process.
Any prescribed medications, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter cold and headache remedies, etc., must be brought in to be copied and verified by a staff member. You must bring these to the office if you either just took them or plan to take them. Some might not be approved.
Illegal Drugs: You may not take any illicit drugs (cocaine, crack, marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, crystal meth, K2, Spice, Kratom, etc.)
Alcohol: Alcohol is forbidden. Alcohol is considered a drug, and drug-free also means alcohol-free. Moreover, drinking violates your supervision. Nyquil, Sudafed, cooking wine or any other products containing alcohol is not permitted.
Controlled narcotic/medications: You may not take any controlled medication (OxyContin, Lortabs, Methadone, Hydrocodone, Valium, Xanax, Phenobarbital, etc.). If there is a special circumstance and you are permitted to take a narcotic medication (short-term only), you must bring in the prescription to be verified and copied by a staff member.
Psychiatric Medications: You must see the nurse practitioner for an initial evaluation. If you choose to be prescribed any medications for mental health reasons including antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medicine) you must follow up regularly with the nurse practitioner.
Other Prescribed Medications: If you take antibiotics, blood pressure pills, allergy medications, or any other non-controlled prescriptions, you must report them to the ARNP as well as bring them in so they can be logged by the nurse and urinalysis technician.
Over-the-Counter Medicine: You may take certain over-the counter remedies. You must communicate with staff as some over-the counter products are banned from the program, i.e. Nyquil, Sudafed. You must call staff and bring in the bottles or boxes as soon as possible for all such products. Many over-the-counter medications are abused for their effects.
Food & Supplements: All vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, energy supplements, body building supplements, and similar products must be brought in for approval by the urinalyses technician before you take them. Some of these will not be approved including all supplements containing creatine.
Verbal honesty: You should report all forbidden drugs including alcohol that you used since your last drop before you drop. If you have not already told staff, tell the person supervising your drop. It will not be considered verbal honesty if you report using after you drop. Honesty may reward a lesser sanction.
Hours: You must drop between the hours of 8:30am & 4:30pm, Monday-Friday. (Must be in office by 4:30pm.)
Random Drops: Routine drug testing is random. You must call every day, Monday through Friday between 5:30am and 12pm. It’s imperative that you listen to the entire recording! You must report to the Treatment Court office to give a specimen if your number is called, please listen carefully.
Missed Drops: Missed drops are considered positive drops and not excused, so plan ahead as much as possible and maintain communication with staff.
Diluted Drops: Diluted samples are considered positive. Drinking large amounts of excessive fluids (“over loading,” i.e. water, coffee, tea, soda) is one technique in an attempt to manipulate test results. It’s also highly recommended to have a balanced diet. Creatine is sometimes used to mask diluted drops, and drops with high creatinine levels are invalid. Supplements with creatine are forbidden.
Falsification: Attempts to pass your drug test by using masking agents, another person’s urine, etc., will be stiffly sanctioned, and you may be terminated from the program.
Observation: A staff member will accompany you into the restroom to observe your drop. You must follow all instructions to ensure the drop is properly observed.
Contested Results: If you deny a positive drop, the sample may be retested. If it is again positive, your sanction may increase.
Failed Attempts: If you try to drop but can’t, you may not leave the premises until you are successful. You may return to the lobby to drink water, but you may not leave the building area. If you leave after many failed attempts, it is considered a positive drop.
Surprise Drug Testing: You may be sent for a drug test at any time by the Judge or any team member.
Purses and Coats: You may not hold purses, briefcases, packages, cell phones, or anything else when you drop. You may place these items on the chair inside the restroom. Also, you may not wear coats or other bulky clothing when you drop.
Check Your Cup: Every drop, check your cup and be sure that the lid is properly secured.
Insufficient Specimens: If you can’t provide a sufficient urine sample (30mL), the cup will be discarded. You can’t add to it. You must try again.
Phase Requirements: Standard 12-month curriculum
Phase Promotion: You must be in full compliance, be current on program fees, attending & participating with all assigned individual sessions, groups and support meetings, have a sponsor, gainfully employed and testing negative.
8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday
9 am-12 pm & 1 pm-4 pm, Monday-Friday There are no drug screens between 12 pm-1 pm
(941) 749‑3666
All participants must call the automated drug test line between 5:30 am-11 am