LEON COUNTY PROBATION-Community Service

Community service is work performed at a nonprofit agency. The client will be assigned to a single location to complete this condition. Hours of availability are contingent upon each agency’s business hours. Both programs require a one time $30.00 nonrefundable fee.

The work program is under the direct supervision of the county’s Public Works Department. Clients are advised hours of operation are 6:45 am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday and they select which days they are available to work. The work program entails 10 hour days of manual labor on a Leon County work crew, supervised by a foreman from the Division of Operations. A $35 fee will be assessed for each client that has a unexcused absence and they will not be allowed to schedule future dates to work unless the fee is paid.

Administrative Order 95-1 authorizes the State Attorney’s Office to operate a Misdemeanor Diversion Program in accordance with Florida Statute 939 and 944. The defendant must be a first time offender of an eligible misdemeanor offense, attend an educational program that helps to divert the defendant from committing other crimes, perform ten hours on the Work Program and pay $180.00 in fines and program fees. The following categories of misdemeanor crimes are eligible: Disorderly Conduct, Disorderly Intoxication, Petit Theft, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor, Possession of Cannabis, Open Container Violation, Loitering/Prowling, Unlawful Use of a Driver License, Unlawful Display of a Driver License, Littering, Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Open House Party.

The diversion program is ninety (90) days, although this term may be extended at the discretion of the Misdemeanor Diversion Program Coordinator.

Upon successful completion of the program a "No Information" is filed with the clerk, dismissing all charges.

The coordinator provides assistance to the State Attorney’s Diversion Program by scheduling and verifying work days performed. The coordinator has discretionary power granted by the SAO to convert work program days to community service if there is a documented medical condition that would prohibit their participation.

Each month the coordinator converts the total number of work program days and community service hours performed by clients multiplying by minimum hourly wage to calculate cost savings to Leon County.