Description

The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Adult Drug Treatment Court (ADTC) is a specialized court established to address not only the problems leading to a participant’s entry into the criminal justice system, but also the barriers impeding their treatment and recovery. The ADTC team works collaboratively in developing individualized treatment and supervision plans to meet participant needs.   
 

History

The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Drug Court Program began in 1992 under the direction of former Chief Judge F. Dennis Alvarez with the establishment of the Drug Pre-Trial Intervention (DPTI) Court. Although the program had no state or local funding at the time, Judge Alvarez’s commitment led to the first court session on June 22, 1992, during which three defendants were admitted into treatment.

The initiative emerged during the early years of the national drug court movement across the United States. Two years later, in 1994, former Circuit Court Judge Donald Evans established Florida’s first Post-Adjudication Drug Court, creating a dedicated felony division (Division “Y”) to manage these cases. The drug court program, primarily funded through the State of Florida’s Problem-Solving Court appropriations, partners with community-based providers such as Agency for Community Treatment Services (ACTS), Ibis Behavioral Health (formerly DACCO, Cove and Gracepoint), Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, North Tampa Behavioral Health, Phoenix House, Riverside Recovery, Steps to Recovery, Tampa Crossroads, The Vet Center, WestCare, and many others who offer specialized treatment services.

In 2026, the two drug court divisions, the DPTI Court and the Post-Adjudication Drug Court, were consolidated into a single division and renamed the Adult Drug Treatment Court (Division “W”). Leadership of the program has transitioned through several judges since its inception, beginning with Chief Judge Alvarez and followed by Judge Evans. Circuit Court Judges Jack Espinosa, Jr., Vivian Corvo, Denise Pomponio, and Elizabeth Rice have also presided over these problem-solving courts.

Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Scionti currently presides over the Adult Drug Treatment Court (Division “W”) in addition to presiding over Veterans Treatment Court (Division “V”) and Adult Mental Health Treatment Court (Division “M”). Judge Scionti has extensive experience presiding over problem-solving courts that help participants suffering from mental health and/or substance use disorders, while ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice.

The history of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Drug Court Program reflects steady growth, evolving leadership, and steadfast commitment in addressing drug-related offenses through treatment and rehabilitation.