1. SAVING FUTURES Juvenile Civil Citations Florida League of Women Voters
Juvenile Justice Committee
Charlotte Nycklemoe, Chair
January 2018

2. More info available at http://www.lwvfl.org/issue/juvenile-justice
MISSION STATEMENT
The League of Women Voters of Florida seeks to improve outcomes for at-risk youth in Florida by supporting and influencing best practice policies through education and advocacy.
More info available at

3. Agenda Civil citations defined Why civil citations matter Next Steps
Discussion
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4. Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)“
Civil citation is vital to DJJ’s efforts to reform the juvenile justice system by giving first-time misdemeanor offenders the opportunity to participate in intervention services at the earliest stage of delinquency. Diverting first-time misdemeanants through civil citation will save millions of dollars that would otherwise be spent if youth were arrested and required to go through formal delinquency processing. ”
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
Source:

5. Rules and criteria should be equalized throughout Florida!
Who decides which common youth misbehavior is eligible for Juvenile Civil Citations and those offenses that should result in an arrest?
Each County decides separately
Municipalities, law enforcement agencies and school districts can decide whether to participate
Rules and criteria should be equalized throughout Florida!

6. Statute 985.12 Civil Citations Excerpts from Statute
Local Level………’The civil citation or similar diversion program shall be established at the local level with the concurrence of the chief judge of the circuit, state attorney, public defender, and the head of each local law enforcement agency involved’.
Law Enforcement Officer……’Under such a juvenile civil citation or similar diversion program, a law enforcement officer, upon making contact with a juvenile who admits having committed a misdemeanor, may choose to issue a simple warning or inform the child’s guardian or parent of the child’s infraction, or may issue a civil citation’.
Maximum of 3 citations/child…..’Use of the civil citation or similar diversion program is not limited to first-time misdemeanors and may be used in up to two subsequent misdemeanors’.

7. Civil Citations are NOT a “get out of jail free” card

8. Sanctions for a Civil Citation
Community service hours
Restitution
Letter of apology to the victim
Possible counseling or treatment
Fine or administrative cost
Risk assessment

9. Eligibility Requirements
Petit Theft
Assault and/or battery (non-aggravated)
Drug offenses (marijuana-related)
Loitering and prowling
Trespassing
Vandalism
Disorderly Conduct
Alcohol Offenses

10. Source: http://www. djj. state. fl

11. Additional Civil Citation Process Points
Saves the police time from having to arrest the child and take them to the JAC
Children do not repeatedly miss school for court appearances
If the child completes the sanction, they will never have to appear in court
Parents do not have to keep taking off work for court appearances

13. Juvenile Civil Citations Across Florida
61%
Eligible Youth
Oct. 2017
To update pie chart, right click and select “Edit Data”
Source:

14. Why civil citations matter

15. Nonprofit, independent think tank based in St. Petersburg
There now is overwhelming data that juvenile civil citations generate superior results – increasing public safety, improving youth outcomes, and saving taxpayer money.
Recidivism for juvenile civil citation – 5%
Post-arrest diversion programs for civil citation –elibible offenses – 9%
Caruthers Institute
Nonprofit, independent think tank based in St. Petersburg
2016 Stepping Up Report

16. Child will not have an arrest record or criminal record.
The recidivism rate for reoffending is extremely low after a civil citation.
Child will not have an arrest record or criminal record.

17. Arrested children can be suspended or expelled from school.
Children who are arrested can be suspended or expelled from school.

18. STOP THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE

19. “Do you have a criminal record?”
A criminal record can impact applying to college, obtaining affordable housing, and securing a job.

20. Start a Juvenile Justice Committee in your League
Actions You Can Take
Meet with local law enforcement, judges, and attorneys to learn more about civil citation usage in your community
Start a Juvenile Justice Committee in your League
Assist with Action Toolkit Creation

21. January 22-26: Children’s Week in FL Legislature
Mark Your Calendar
Opportunities to Raise Awareness
January 22-26: Children’s Week in FL Legislature

22. THANK YOU. League of Women Voters, Collier County Charlotte Nycklemoe
lwvcolliercounty.org
lwvfl.org/issue/juvenile-justice