Frequently Asked Questions

You have the legal right to not say anything and to speak with an attorney before you speak to the police. You do need not to tell the police anything except your name and address. You can decide what you want to say when you go to court based on what your lawyer recommends and you both agree upon. If you have an attorney, request to see him/her immediately. If you can't afford one, request a Public Defender. If you are being coerced into signing anything, do not do so and tell your attorney what occurred.

If you are questioned while you are in custody without being read your rights, whatever statements that you make are not allowed to be used as evidence. Also, any evidence that would not have been found without your statement may not be used as evidence. Not being able to use this evidence may result in the charges being dismissed. If you believe your rights have been violated, you need to contact an attorney right away.

Drug court is a combination of the criminal justice system and medical treatment programs to manage drug crimes. Oftentimes, sending a drug offender to jail is not effective. This is especially true for first-time offenders. The focus of drug court is the rehabilitation of the individual. It is an option in which the prosecutor, defendant, and the court work together to try to achieve an outcome that results in the greatest good for all parties. Once the drug court program has been successfully completed, charges or sentences are often reduced or dismissed entirely.

Both the state of Florida and the federal government use grand juries. It is a group of people that a prosecutor brings together for the purpose of gathering and reviewing information when criminal activity is suspected. The evidence is examined and witnesses testify. When this process is completed, the grand jury decides if there is enough evidence to warrant charging the defendant with a drug crime.