CroSSroadSforfloridakidS ’ TriBuTeToThirTeenThCirCuiTS ’ JuVenileSPeCialTyCourTS
Trial & litigation Section
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provider ( s ) — therapy for mental health and / or substance abuse ; medical care ; and obtaining employment . We have had several youth that have not returned to their trafficker and are thriving in school or have graduated . We know most victims only choose to leave “ the life ” when they choose , and a victim is only “ rescued ” when they decide to leave ‘ the life ’. That is the purpose of OPTION Court — to provide the victim an opportunity / option to accept services and / or assistance . We impose no penalties when the victim chooses not to engage . We open the door for the victim to take the chance to get out from under the stranglehold of the trafficker and have the chance for a better life . There is usually a very small window of time to do so .”
OPTION Court holds monthly staffings and hearings for each child . Stakeholders are the State Attorney , Public Defender , Children ’ s Legal Services , DJJ , Juvenile Justice , School District , a variety of case managers ( Court , dependency ), Guardians ad Litem , Attorneys ad Litem , treatment service providers ,
Survivor Mentors , and Missing Child Specialists . In Court , Judge Bauman praises the accomplishments of victims , and questions them as to their needs . His staff maintains a clothing closet at the courthouse , because they know kids in foster care run and when they return their clothes are gone .
Judge Bauman has become an expert on human trafficking , and makes time to educate local , state and national entities about Florida ’ s unfortunate status as the third leading state in the country with respect to human trafficking and how to spot and help trafficking survivors . He also created a primer called “ Human Trafficking 101 .” In his courtroom , talking to the survivors is where Judge Bauman really makes a difference , and breakthroughs happen .
To date , 343 cases involving over 70 kids have been heard in OPTION Court .
Crossroads For Florida Kids attorneys are proud to represent children in Juvenile Mental Health Court and OPTION Court , and thankful to Chief Judge Ron
Ficarrotta and Circuit Judge Robert Bauman for their founding initiatives in creating these courts that promote the delinquency goal of rehabilitation . In January 2023 , Circuit Judge Michael Scionti succeeded Chief Judge Ficarrotta as head of JMHC . Welcome Judge Scionti !
Crossroads For Florida Kids depends upon HCBA pro bono attorneys , who donate their skills or money , to help make sure children in these Courts are represented . If you would like to join in our mission , please contact us at Rosemary @ crossroadsfloridakids . org . n
Authors : Rosemary Armstrong – Crossroads for Florida Kids and Chad Moore – Morgan & Morgan
Trial & Litigation Section Luncheon
onJanuary26 , Trial & litigation Sectionmembersreceivedaspecial updatefromthehonorablewilliamJung , districtJudge , unitedStatesmiddle districtofflorida . wethankJudgeJung fortakingthetimetospeaktoourSection .
Thank you also to our luncheon sponsor :
m a r - a p r 2 0 2 3 | H C B a L a W Y E r
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