HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 28, No. 2 | Page 12

F R O M
T H E
S T A T E
A T T O R N E Y
An d re w H. Wa r re n - St at e At t o r n ey fo r t h e T h i r t e e n t h Ju d i c i a l Ci rc u i t
A Smart Change for Juvenile Justice
in Hillsborough County
F
The program is an evidenced-based, smart alternative to arrest
and detention of juveniles for first-time minor offenses, allowing
for early intervention into delinquency.
or too long, our juvenile justice system
in Hillsborough County has been
ineffective: It’s been too focused on
a reflexive system of arrest and
detention — especially for minor,
non-violent misdemeanors — and not enough on
targeted treatment and rehabilitation, and reducing
recidivism. It hasn’t worked. Our system must take
a more innovative approach — one that considers
the long-term impact of how we prosecute our
youth, one that breaks the cycle of juvenile
recidivism, and one that is designed to keep our kids
on the right path, all while keeping public safety as
a number one priority.
On August 1, 2017, Hillsborough County took
an important first step towards that goal. The
State Attorney’s Office was honored to lead the
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© Can Stock Photo / gajdamak
NOV - DEC
2017
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HCBA LAWYER