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1. How long will it take before I know if my case has been accepted into PTI?

On average, it takes between four and six weeks to get a case accepted into the program. However, that time can vary depending on several factors, including the number of charges, the number of victims and whether or not there is any restitution that will be owed. Generally, the more charges you have and the more victims who are involved, the longer it takes to get a case accepted.

2. Will you call me or send a letter?

We will send a letter to the mailing address you provided when you applied to the program. The letter will tell you if your case was accepted or rejected. If accepted, you will have 5 days to contact your case manager to set up your initial appointment. If you fail to show for your initial appointment your case will be returned to court for prosecution. It is very important for you to notify us if you change your address after you have applied to the program.

3. When do I have to pay the $250 program fee?

A program fee of $125.00 will be due at your initial appointment and the remaining $125.00 will be due 30 days from the initial appointment. We recommend that you do not wait until you receive your acceptance letter to start setting aside money for this fee. You should begin preparing to pay this fee immediately after you apply to the program. We only accept money orders or certified cashier’s checks.

4. If my application for PTI is rejected, what happens next?

If you receive a letter stating that your PTI application has been rejected, you are responsible for contacting the court where your charge originated to find out your new court date. If you have a magistrate or municipal charge, the name of the court is listed on your ticket under the heading of trial officer. If you have a General Sessions charge, you may call the Solicitor’s Office at 864-596-2575.

5. If I pay my $100 application fee and then my case is rejected because of some prior convictions or because I have been through PTI before, can I get my money back?

The application fee is non-refundable. Before we accept any money from a defendant, we ask detailed questions about any possible prior convictions or prior PTI participation. If you are unsure about your prior criminal history, we ask that you conduct your own background check before paying the application fee.

6. I applied to PTI and paid my application fee, do I have to appear in court?

You must attend your court date (s) until you have been accepted into PTI. The PTI office cannot excuse you from any court dates. You will need to appear for your court date and take a copy of your PTI application fee receipt to show that you have applied to the program.

7. I applied to PTI in Spartanburg County, but I just got a new job in another county/state. Can I transfer my PTI case?

We do not transfer cases; however we can make arrangements to handle them long-distance. If you live out of the county/state, please contact your PTI intake counselor and provide him/her with your new address and telephone number.

8. If I am accepted in the program, what will I be required to do?

Program requirements vary based on your charge(s), but generally, participants are required to complete community service work, attend counseling/education, attend a prison presentation, take random drug screens, pay restitution and attend case management appointments. Your specific program requirements will be given to you at your first appointment with your counselor. Counseling is a separate cost from PTI fees. Click Here for a Table Detailing Costs

9. What happens after I complete all of my program requirements?

Once you complete your requirements a new background check will be performed and if there have been no new arrests, we will submit your case to the courts for dismissal. Upon dismissal of your charges you will be eligible to apply for an expungement to remove from public record (s) for an additional fee.

10. Does the expungement really destroy all of my information?

The expungement order will be mailed to the respective criminal agencies to remove any records related to that charge; it is the responsibility of each agency in the removing of its records. This process can take up to 10 -12 weeks. Unfortunately we are not able to expunge media related info or data off the internet. Law enforcement, prosecution agencies and detention/correctional facilities are not obligated to destroy records under state law; however the
information is not for public dissemination.

11. How long do I have to pay for my expungement?

There is no time frame on paying for your expungement; however please note that your background record will reflect the arrest charge along with dismissal date until the expungement process is completed. Expungement payments must be made in full, no payment arrangements.