CLOSURE NOTICE: All Offices of the State Attorney in the First Judicial Circuit are closed January 21 and January 22. This is for the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton. Our offices will resume regular operations on Thursday, January 23rd. Please stay safe and warm in this snowy weather.

Deferred Prosecution

Office of State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit of Florida

Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under the Age of 21

If you have been arrested or cited for Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under the Age of 21, in Okaloosa or Walton County, Florida, and you are eligible*, you have two options:

  1. Appear in court on the date given to you in your citation.
  2. Avoid court and enter into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA)

*Eligibility is not guaranteed. Certain prior arrests and/or convictions can affect eligibility.

Enter into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement

To enter into a DPA, you must electronically apply for a DPA (available in next section). You must electronically sign your DPA once received, and do so before any scheduled court date listed on your citation or arrest form.

By entering into a DPA you will be entering into an agreement with the State of Florida for a period of three months, starting on the date the DPA is electronically signed and received. You will then be required to agree to the following conditions:

  1. Waive the right to a speedy trial

  2. Pay Courts Costs ($220.00 Okaloosa County / $250.00 Walton County)

  3. Pay $150 Cost of Prosecution

  4. Not violate any laws during the three month term

  5. Notify the Clerk of Court within ten (10) days of any change of address.

At the end of the three-month period, if all of these conditions are completed, the State of Florida will issue a No Prosecution (dismissal of charges). If you do not complete any of the conditions, the State of Florida will proceed with the prosecution of your case, and you could be required to appear in court in the county of the offense.

The decision you make should be made by you and/or through the advice of your legal counsel. No information on this page should be interpreted as legal advice. If you have obtained an attorney, then you should not contact our office and should not complete the application in the next section.

Register for DPA

To apply for a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA), first review our FAQ page after which you will be able to complete the 60 second application.

Review FAQ Page
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