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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
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effort to expand and make permanent in Hillsborough
County the Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program,
commonly referred to as the juvenile civil citation
program. It is an evidenced-based, smart alternative to
arrest and detention of juveniles for first-time minor
offenses, allowing for early intervention into delinquency,
and holding youth accountable with targeted and
immediate sanctions. Studies have shown that a youth is
up to 50 percent less likely to reoffend after completing
a civil citation program, because it significantly reduces
the likelihood of the youth escalating into the juvenile
justice system.
There is another significant benefit of the juvenile civil
citation program: It makes economic sense. The average
cost to prosecute a juvenile is $5,000. 1 To incarcerate
a juvenile costs approximately $55,000 annually. 2 By
contrast, the average cost to enroll a juvenile in a civil
citation program is less than $400. 3 It reduces costs to
taxpayers, and allows our office to focus more resources
on those violent and repeat crimes that pose the greatest
threats to public safety.
Here’s how the program works: Officers issue civil
citations for first-time offending youth for any
misdemeanors, other than thirteen enumerated more
dangerous offenses, like DUI or a lewd and lascivious act,
unless there is an immediate and material threat to public
safety. The youth, along with a parent or guardian, will
then meet with a caseworker to assess appropriate
sanctions, including drug treatment, restitution,
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2017
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HCBA LAWYER
community service, specialized classes, supervision, or
others. Once the juvenile successfully completes the
sanctions, the citation is closed without referral to the
State Attorney’s Office. If the juvenile does not
successfully complete the sanctions, the case is then
referred to the State Attorney’s Office for a charging
decision. Ultimately, this program allows good kids who
have made a mistake to be held accountable and receive
appropriate sanctions without an arrest or conviction
record following them for years to come, hindering their
ability to go to college, join the military, or find a job.
Our office was pleased to work with our criminal justice
partners in making this program a part of the permanent
fabric of our community. But make no mistake, change
takes time, sustained involvement, and community
support and engagement. This first step has been critical,
and we will monitor the success of the program for
expansions or adjustments in the future. Interceding in
delinquency early not only reduces crime over time, but it
gives our youth a greater opportunity for a productive and
positive future — a goal to which we are dedicated.
American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section,
State Policy Implementation Project, 2, available at
https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administra
tive/criminal_justice/ spip_civilcitations.authcheckdam.pdf.
2 Justice Policy Institute, Calculating the Full Price for Youth
Incarceration (December 2014), available at
www.justicepolicy.org.
3 American Bar Association, State Policy Implementation
Project, supra note 1, at 2.
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