Court Alternatives

Pre-Trial Intervention

Pre-Trial Intervention is a diversionary program in South Carolina designed for first-time offenders charged with non-violent offenses. It includes a prison tour, community service and programs specific to the criminal charge such as alcohol education. Participants only have one shot at PTI anywhere in the state and must closely adhere to the program’s requirements in order to be successful.

To qualify, participants must be referred by the court. To enroll, send or drop off the following:

  • a completed application (available on this website or at any of our Beaufort, Hampton or Colleton courthouse offices)
  • all other information on the matter dealing with the pending charge and any prior charges
  • a cashier’s check or money order for $100. You also can by clicking the “Pay Online” button on this page. We do not accept cash or personal checks.

 

Applying for the program does not guarantee acceptance. Once you have applied, it can take 6-8 weeks to receive your orientation notice. Please do not contact our office unless more than 8 weeks have passed and you have yet to receive the letter.

Out-of-state applicants must submit the $100 application fee and the $250 program fee at the time of application.

You must agree to:

  • pay restitution to the victim for any losses (if applicable)
  • pay the $250 participation fee upon being accepted
  • keep all appointments scheduled by PTI personnel, including any programs or classes you are required to attend
  • not engage in any criminal activity
  • random drug screenings
    complete all assignments designated by the director of PTI

For more information, contact our PTI staff at 843-779-8477.

Mail Checks:

Pre-Trial Intervention
Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Post Office Box 1880
Bluffton, SC 29910

Intervention Resources

Traffic Education

The Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office offers a Traffic Education Program in lieu of points on your driving record for offenses carrying less than four points (no DUI/DUAC or reckless operation). To qualify, you must be referred to the program by the court.

Once referred to the program, you have 45 days to complete the following:

  • Fill out the application and contract.
  • Four-hour driving education course provided by the National Safety Council. Contact Steve Sweeney at 803-242-0778.
  • Complete four hours of community service with any non-profit organization. Obtain a signed document with contact information for the organization.

When you have completed the class and community service, send or drop-off the following:

  • application
  • signed contract
  • court referral
  • certificate of completion for defensive driving
  • verification of completed community service
  • cashier’s check or money order for $280. We do not accept cash or personal checks.

Traffic Education Program
Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Post Office Box 1880
Bluffton, SC 29910

Failure to complete the program requirements and return the forms, verifications and fee within 45 days will result in your case being rescheduled for court.

For more information about the program, please contact Shannon Horton at 843-779-8477 or [email protected].

Alcohol Education

The Alcohol Education Program is designed to combat underage drinking and the high-risk behavior that goes with it. In South Carolina, an alcohol charge conviction may result in fines, incarceration, suspension of a driver’s license, loss of financial aid/scholarships and a criminal record that may have lingering effects on your ability to seek employment. This program is offered as an alternative to a conviction, and includes guidance, education and community service.

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 20, and be referred to the program by the court. Only certain alcohol-related charges qualify, including minor in possession of beer/alcohol, open container, possession of a fake or altered ID, public disorderly conduct, littering, etc. This program is not open to anyone charged with a DUI/DUAC.

In Beaufort County, enrollment is held at 3 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month at our offce within the Beaufort County Courthouse, 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC, with the exception of legal holidays. In the other counties we serve, it is scheduled on an as-needed basis, so be sure to contact the program director to setup an appointment.

Please arrive 15 minutes early and bring the following:

  • Driver’s license or government-issued ID
  • Social Security Card or verification of SSN
  • Court referral
  • $250 cashier’s check or money order

 

There are additional costs for the program. Beaufort County participants will also be required to pay $125 to the Beaufort County Alcohol Drug Abuse Department on the day of your scheduled class. Participants from other counties will be required to pay a $100 fee for their alcohol abuse classes.

If you live out-of-state, mail us a $250 cashier’s check or money order along with a copy of your court referral and driver’s license. You will then receive instructions for successfully completing the program.

Alcohol Education Program
Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Post Office Box 1880
Bluffton, South Carolina 29910

For more information, contact Shannon Horton at 843-779-8477 or [email protected].

Alcohol Education Resources

Adult Multi-Disciplinary Court

When we stepped in to take over operation of the Drug Court in 2009 from a private entity, it only was averaging eight new participants per year. We gave the program a total overhaul and successfully relaunched it as the Adult Multi-Disciplinary Court.

The goal is to address the underlying problems that are causing an individual to commit crimes so they become productive members of society.

Each person is carefully screened to undergo professional substance abuse and mental health treatment. Those who are unsuccessful in abiding by the court’s rigid requirements are transferred to prison.

The program has a 70 percent success rate.

A success story:

John was 23 years-old when he was convicted for possessing marijuana. He had just graduated from the University of South Carolina-Beaufort and had no previous criminal record. His plan was to make some money and to support his habit, which had started in his teenage years and continued while he went to college and worked in food service on the island.

A judge sentenced John into the Beaufort County Adult Multi-Disciplinary Court. If he failed to complete the program, he would go to prison for three years. He worked hard while in the program, continuing to work as a server at an upscale Hilton Head restaurant, while completing the stringent requirements of the court. His progression included 23 weeks of out-patient drug treatment, attendance at drug and alcohol support groups and routine court appearances. John’s progress was exemplary.

He graduated from the court in 10 months, and has not relapsed. Because he was a first-time offender, his record was expunged in order to get him back on track for a productive life. He now manages a business.

More Information

Contact Teresa Pye at 843-790-6281 (office), 843-592-1854 (cell) or [email protected].