F R O M T H E T H I R T E E N T H J U D I C I A L C I R C U I T C H I E F J U D G E J u d g e R o n a l d F i c a r r o t t a- C h i e f J u d g e f o r t h e T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t
Juvenile Offenses Can Result in Positive Outcomes
The goal( of the program) is to minimize progressive involvement in the juvenile, and ultimately adult, justice system.
My last article focused on the work done in our Dependency Divisions, which seek positive outcomes for children whose families are in turmoil. But the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court is able to affect children’ s lives in a number of other ways, as well. I will now shine the spotlight on one of those other ways: our Juvenile Diversion Program( JDP).
JDP provides community-based alternatives to formal court processing of eligible juvenile offenders. Diversion is facilitated by the court’ s JDP case managers and specialists who conduct evidencebased risk assessments and cater sanctions and referrals to the youth’ s individual needs. It is meaningful to convey that the children are held accountable for their actions; however, the goal is to minimize progressive involvement in the
juvenile, and ultimately adult, justice system.
© Can Stock Photo / Medclips
No one contests the impact an arrest can have on a young life. Arrest history can minimize educational and professional opportunities, with consequences that can last a lifetime. There is great interest across the state of Florida in implementing comprehensive arrest-avoidance programs. In August, the Thirteenth Circuit’ s court partners entered into an inter-agency agreement to expand our Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program( JAAP).
The prior JAAP program, which was launched in 2011, permitted the issuance of citations, in lieu of arrest, for nine types of juvenile offenses. Last August, the court partners entered into a Delinquent Act Citation Pilot program, a one-year program permitting citations to be issued for first-time juvenile possession of cannabis( 20 grams or less) or possession of drug paraphernalia. The pilot was successful, with 222 children receiving citations under the pilot. Overall, 54 percent of pilot participants successfully completed the program, and another 19 percent are still active in the program as of October of 2017. Success is also demonstrated by the $ 2,105 collected in restitution and the 4,123 hours of community service completed because of the JAAP program’ s existence. Imagine how much more can be accomplished with nearly all misdemeanor offenses qualifying for diversion.
Delinquency court has a purpose, but addressing the needs of children who are new to the juvenile justice system and facing minor offenses is rarely one of them. I am confident that accountability accompanied by targeted services has the potential to impact children in a positive way. The court and our juvenile justice partners have the ability to combine sanctions with services that fit the needs of the children we encounter. Their future success rests in our efforts.
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