Pretrial Diversion in Kissimmee and Osceola County

An arrest does not always have to end in a conviction. Florida has pretrial programs that, for people who qualify, can end with the charges dropped. Attorney Chad Seibel, a former prosecutor, can tell you whether one may be available in your case.

​

How Diversion Works

A diversion program works much like probation, but it happens before the case is resolved. You complete conditions such as classes, community service, costs, drug or alcohol testing, or treatment. If you finish successfully, the charge is dropped. Because a completed program ends without a conviction, it may also be possible to expunge the arrest record afterward.

​

Common Programs

• Pretrial Diversion: run by the State Attorney’s Office, generally for first-time offenders.

• Pretrial Intervention (PTI): authorized by § 948.08, Florida Statutes, for certain eligible charges.

• Drug court: a court-supervised treatment program for eligible drug charges.

• DUI diversion: the Ninth Circuit State Attorney’s Office offers a pretrial program for some first-time DUI cases. It does not stop the separate DHSMV administrative license suspension, which has its own 10-day deadline.

​

Who Qualifies

Eligibility depends on the charge, your prior record, and each program’s current criteria, and admission is never guaranteed. Some charges are excluded altogether.

​

Talk to a Lawyer First

Before you agree to any plea, ask whether a program may be available in your case.

​

Before you agree to any program or plea, get advice on your options. Call or text 407-846-8008 for a free, confidential consultation.

​

​

​

Attorney Chad M. Seibel, Of Counsel at Perez LaSure Law. Office in Kissimmee. Consultations and meetings available throughout Florida by appointment. Hablamos español. Atendemos em Português.