If you have been arrested for a crime in South Carolina there are a few programs that may help you if you are a first time offender. Part of what we do as Charleston criminal defense attorneys involves working with prosecutors to get first time offenders enrolled in these programs.
PTI is a diversionary program designed for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes. The program allows the defendant to be diverted from court and enter into a program consisting of counseling and guidance, community service work and restitution. Successful completion of the program requirements will allow the defendant’s arrest record to be expunged. The goal of the program is to give first-time offenders a second chance.
*A person can participate in PTI ONLY ONCE
Who May Be Eligible:
– Those arrested for a non-violent crime.
– Must be 17 years old, or if 16 or under, must have been charged as an adult
– Must be no evidence of significant prior arrests or criminal history.
– The individual poses no detectable threat to society
– The person is unlikely to be involved in further criminal activity
– The person is employed, disabled, or is enrolled in school
– The person is likely to respond quickly to rehabilitative treatment
– Justice to the offender and the State will be served by placing the offender in an intervention program instead of the traditional criminal process
*The Solicitor Must Agree To PTI
Cost:
– $100 Application Fee
– $250 Participation FEE
Requirements:
– Give the program any information on pending charges against you and your prior history
– Pay back the victim of your crime for losses incurred if there is a victim
– Pay all program fees
– Keep all appointments promptly as scheduled for you by PTI personnel
– Agree to commit no more crimes
– Have had no prior participation in a PTI program
– Submit to random drug testing if required
– Be employed full time or enrolled in school full time
– Actively take part in the program set forth by the case manager. This may include client financed counseling at outside agencies or other educational services.
– Attend a prison tour if scheduled by the PTI Staff
– Remain in the program a minimum of 90 days up to a maximum of 1 year
– Must have no new arrests while enrolled in PTI
– Remain in the state while the charges are pending against you, unless PTI is notified
*If you enroll and are accepted into the program, the Solicitor will agree to hold the charges against you from going to trial. As long as you are in the program and in compliance, your case will not be returned to court.
*If you fail to complete the program for whatever reason or are charged with another offense, you will be terminated from the program and your case will be returned to court for prosecution.
If you have been arrested in the Charleston area contact a Charleston criminal defense lawyer at Anderson & Schuster, Attorneys at Law, LLC to make sure your rights are protected. If you have been charged with an offense in the Charleston area and you think you might be eligible for PTI we will work with the prosecutor and do our best to get you enrolled in the program. Our consultations are free, and our office is conveniently located off of I-526 in Mt. Pleasant.
