Drug court is the next stop for a 25-year-old former Cortez man charged with driving under the influence.
Twelfth Circuit Judge Andrew D. Owens Jr. Nov. 3 ordered the case against Kirby Allman transferred from the criminal division to the diversion program.
Holmes Beach police arrested Allman for DUI in February. He was observed driving a Texas tag without headlights or taillights, according to the HBPD report.
Prior to the case transfer, the state upped the charge against Allman to a DUI after a prior conviction.
Allman allegedly told the officer he had moved to Cortez three months ago and wasn’t aware that his lights didn’t work.
Allman was ticketed for violating nonresident requirements, having no proof of insurance, expired registration and no vehicle lamps. The tickets are pending in other cases.
Drug court is used by the 12th Circuit to reduce the jail population and educate and treat alleged offenders.
Participants waive their right to a speedy trial, submit to drug tests and must appear in court as scheduled.
Allman’s first appearance in drug court was Nov. 10 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.