First Offender Drug Program
Table of Contents
1. Program Information 2
2. Program Eligibility List 3
3. Program Entry Process 4
4. Court Contact Information 5
5. Sample of Felony Supplemental Plea Agreement 6
6. Sample of Misdemeanor Supplemental Plea Agreement
7. Program Application
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Primary Mission and Purpose
To improve the overall quality and efficiency of the criminal courts by diverting low risk/low needs first-time drug offenders to a court-supervised program that will enhance public safety, reduce crime, hold offenders accountable, increase sobriety among drug offenders, reduce costs to our community, and ultimately reduce congestion in the criminal court dockets.
Primary Program Requirements
In order to be considered for the First Offender Drug Program (FODP) a defendant must be approved by the Criminal District Attorney’s Office. The individual in the First Offender Drug Program is a first time offender who would be considered a “self-corrector.”
The First Offender Drug Program is designed to be minimalistic, and defendants will receive minimum supervision. Defendants are required to provide the following at entry:
1) Proof of Education (HS Diploma or equivalent, transcript or proof of current enrollment in high school, GED program or college); and
2) Pay program fees in full.
If a defendant is unable to pay in full at the beginning of the program, all fees are expected to be paid at least ONE week PRIOR to graduation date.
ï There are no progressive sanctions.
ï Any violation is cause for immediate removal from the program.
ï Termination from First Offender Drug Program means that the defendant’s case will proceed to formal sentencing based upon the original plea.
ANY VIOLATION OF PROGRAM CONDITIONS OR FAILURE TO MEET ALL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN TERMINATION.
Program Cost (Programfee covers cost of all testing and classes)
Felony $550 180-day program Urinalysis 2 x per month
2 hair tests
Short term education class
Misdemeanor $350 90-day program
Urinalysis 2 x per month Short term education class
LIST OF ELIGIBLE OFFENSES
The Following Offenses may be Eligible for FODP:
1. Possession of Controlled Substance, under 1 gram
2. Possession of Controlled Substance, 1-4 grams
3. Possession of Controlled Substance under 2 ounce
4. Possession of Marihuana under 2 ounces
5. Possession of Marihuana, 2-4 ounces
6. Drug Free Zone, Controlled Substance under 28 grams
7. Drug Free Zone Marihuana 2-4ounces
8. Forging or Altering Prescription
9. Possession of Dangerous Drug
10. Diversion of a Controlled Substance
11. Attempt of any above listed offense
Applicant cannot have been convicted, have current or past community supervision or deferred adjudication, nor currently have any pending case for offenses other than Class C misdemeanors.
ENTRY PROCESS
STEP 1: A defendant speaks with his/her attorney or the attorney speaks with the client about participating in the First Offender Drug Program.
STEP 2: A defendant and his/her attorney fill out the one page application on this website (http://tcweb.tarrantcounty. com/direct/site/default.asp ) and email the application to CDA-FODP@tarrantcountytx.gov .
A COMPLETED APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 90 DAYS OF CASE FILING.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
STEP 3: The Assistant Criminal District Attorney approves or denies defendant for the First Offender Drug Program and e-mails the decision to FirstOffenderDrugProgram @tarrantcounty.com.
STEP 4: The First Offender Drug Program Administrative Assistant will notify the Attorney of Record and the program ‘s felony (372°a) or misdemeanor (CCC2) court coordinator of defendant ‘s approval or denial. If approved, the court coordinator will set the plea date and time and notify the Attorney of Record, the Criminal District Attorney’ s Office, Court Clerk, and the Case Manager.
STEP 5: Defendant will appear in the appropriate court, enter guilty plea, and formally commence the First Offender Drug Program.
STEP 6: The program’ s felony (372°a) or misdemeanor (CCC2) court coordinator will request transfer of the case(s) to the appropriate court (D372 or CCC2).
STEP 7: The program’ s felony (372°a) or misdemeanor (CCC2) court coordinator will set the case for final disposition. 180 days for felony, and 90 days for misdemeanor.
Program Requirements
MISDEMEANOR FIRST OFFENDER DRUG COURT-County Criminal Court No. 2
Defendants are scheduled two (2) appearances in court. Defendants will have an admission court date and a date for dismissal. Court Coordinator will set the dismissal court date the day the defendant is admitted and notify Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Case Manager and Attorney of Record.
On admission day, defendants will:
1. Report to Case Manager Friday at 8:00 AM to submit a UA
2. Court is Fridays at 9:30AM
3. Complete plea agreement; and
4. Complete program’s admission paperwork.
ï The length of the misdemeanor program is 90 days.
ï The cost of the misdemeanor program is $350, which includes all testing and classes.
ï The participant will provide 2 clean Urinalysis each month.
ï The participant will complete a short term education or chemical dependency class.
If the defendant violates any term or condition of the program, a termination letter is completed by the Case Manager and signed by the presiding judge . Court Coordinator will immediately notify the Assistant Criminal District Attorney and Attorney of Record with the setting date for the punishment hearing.
TERMINATION FROM THE FIRST OFFENDER DRUG PROGRAM WILL RESULT IN A SENTENCING HEARING WITH PUNISHMENT SET BY THE COURT WITIDN THE FULL RANGE OF PUNISHMENT.
If the defendant successfully completes the program, on the dismissal court date, the Assistant Criminal District Attorney will present to the Judge a Motion to Dismiss the case.
Program Requirements
FELONY FIRST OFFENDER DRUG COURT- 372″d District Court
Defendants are scheduled one (1) appearance in court. The scheduled appearance is for admission to the program.
On admission day, defendants will:
1. Report to Case Manager Monday at 2:00 PM to submit a UA
2. Report to court at 3:00 PM;
3. Complete plea agreement; and
4. Complete program’s admission paperwork.
ï The length of the felony program is180 days.
ï The cost of the felony program is $550, which includes all testing and classes.
ï The participant will provide 2 clean Urinalysis each month.
ï The participant will provide 2 clean hair drug tests.
ï The participant will complete a short term education or chemical dependency class.
Ifthe defendant violates any term or condition of the program, a termination letter is completed by the Case Manager and signed by the presiding judge . Court Coordinator will immediately notify the Assistant Criminal District Attorney and Attorney of Record with the setting the date for the punishment hearing.
TERMINATION FROM THE FIRST OFFENDER DRUG PROGRAM WILL RESULT IN A SENTENCING HEARING WITH PUNISHMENT SET BY THE COURT WITHIN THE FULL RANGE OF PUNISHMENT.
Ifthe defendant successfully completes the program, the Assistant Criminal District Attorney will present to the Judge a Motion to Dismiss the case. A copy will be given to the defendant on a scheduled date in the Drug Court offices. Judge Wisch does not see the defendant for dismissal if he or she successfully complete the program.
Court Contact Information
MISDEMEANOR FIRST OFFENDER DRUG COURT-CCC2 (6th Floor)
Judge Carey F.Walker
Court is Fridays at 9:30AM (unless otherwise noted)
Coordinator: Mary Chaisson /CCC2 /817-884-1340 mlchaisson@tarrantcounty. com
FELONY FIRST OFFENDER DRUG COURT- D372 (6th Floor)
Judge Scott Wisch
Court is on Mondays at 3:30 PM (unless otherwise noted)
Coordinator: Lorrie Parham /D372 /817-884-2995 lparham2@tarrantcounty.com
PLEA ADMONISHMENTS, WAIVERS AND AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION INTHE FIRST OFFENDER DRUG PROGRAM
The Defendant has pleaded Guilty in this case and, along with his/her attorney and the attorney for the State, has executed written plea admonishments that include a judicial confession and various waivers.The plea recommendation set forth below is agreed to by the Defendant, his/her attorney and the State’s attorney,as evidenced by their respective signatures below.
1. The Defendant understands that he/she have the right to an indictment by a grand jury in a felony case. After being fully informed of his/her rights, the defendant believes that an indictment is not in his/her best interest and the defendant hereby waive his/her rights to a grand jury indictment.
2. The Defendant understands that he/she has the absolute right to a speedy trial under the United States and Texas Constitutions and under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. After being fully informed of his/her rights, the defendant believes that a speedy trial is not in his/her best interest and the defendant hereby waives his/her Constitutional and statutory rights to a speedy trial. The defendant further waives any right to move for discharge under the speedy trialprovision prior to trial.
3. The Defendant understands that he/she has the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses against him/her under the United States and Texas Constitutions and under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. After being fully informed of these rights, thedefendant hereby waives his/her Constitutional and statutory rights to confront and cross-examine witnesses against the defendant.
If the defendant is charged with possession of marihuana, a dangerous drug or any other controlled substance, the defendant specifically waives his/her right to confront witnesses to the possession or testing of the drugs,and his/her right to contest any drug testing results related to this charge.
4. The Defendant and his/her attorney state to the Court that there are no other charged offenses arising out of the course of conduct which resulted inthis prosecution still pending ina court of record.
5. The Defendant having pleaded GUilTY understands that he/she is further ordered to follow all First Offender DrugProgram requirements as a condition of bond.
6. THE DEFENDANT UNDERSTANDS THAT TERMINATION FROM THE FIRST OFFENDER DRUG PROGRAM WILL RESULT IN SENTENCING BY THE COURT WITHIN THE FULL RANGE OF PUNISHMENT.
The Defendant initials and verifies under oath that he/she:
admits the allegations contained inthe information or indictment to wit I did commit the offense of _
is guilty of the instance offense and all lesser included offenses
admits that if charged with an offense of possession of marihuana,a dangerous drug or any other controlled substance, he/she also admits and stipulates that the substance in his/her possession was
has not previously been charged with a drug related offense
has no other pending criminalcharges
has not participated inar’o/Prior diversion programs
has no active warrants
has no current or prior violation of protective orders
waives the right to expunction for one year from the date of the program completion
willreport to his/her case manager as and when directed
will report for hair testing and/or urinalysis as and whendirected
will complete a short term education or chemical dependency class
Based upon review of the case and the above verification,the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s office agrees to the admission of Defendant into the First Offender Drug Program.
