Asked 7/16/2016 – Waco, TX

In 2014 I was arrested in Waco, TX for an Adderall (controlled substance). I was 17, it was my first offense and i had a clean record up until then. This is the only legal trouble I’ve ever been in. I was charged with a felony but instead of trial I got entered into the Pre-trial Diversion Program. I began PTIP in December 2015, it is until December 2017. I am to pay for a drug test every 2 weeks this year, once a month next year, and $600 in fees. With permission from my bondsman and court appointed lawyer, I was allowed to move to Fayetteville, NC. I was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. I’m prescribed medication for both. My ADHD medication is the same exact medicine I was arrested for having in 2014. My lawyer and the person in charge of my program are both aware of my prescriptions and have copies. I am grateful for being in PTIP and I take full responsibility for my actions. I was young, dumb, and with the wrong crowd but thats no excuse. However, I have an 8 month old son and my partner is the only one employed. PTIP’s testing me for medicine I’m now prescribed and I’m spending money I need for my son and bills. Anyway to get my case dismissed? I’m just curious.

Answer

Financial hardship is not grounds for dismissal. You may return to court and request modification of the terms of your contract that you agreed to with the State. Until you become employed, however, that request will probably fall on deaf ears. You must find some manner of employment and show the State you are doing everything you can, but still can’t pay the fees that are owed. What you are asking for is to have the State dismiss a criminal case just because someone says they don’t have a job.