The Adolescent Population of Florida
Florida's population of 10 to 17-year-olds
decreased 2% between 2006 and 2010. As of August 2010,
Florida's population of 10 to 17 year-olds was estimated to
be approximately 1.85 million.
Most Frequent Juvenile Offenses
- Misdemeanor theft was the most common
reason for referral to the Department. During FY
2009-10, there were 16,516 delinquency referrals where
the most serious offense was misdemeanor theft.
- Burglary is the felony offense committed
most often by juveniles. During FY 2009-10, there were
11,831 delinquency referrals where the most serious offense
was burglary.
"Moving in the Right Direction"
The majority of the Department's key indicators of
public safety and delinquency in Florida are trending in the right
direction. There are fairly substantial reductions in almost every
major offense category, including the most serious juvenile
offenses. Results shown here show the positive impact of following
the Department's strategic plan. The following section summarizes
these trends.
Overall Juvenile Delinquency Rates in Florida
Today, Floridians are substantially less likely to
be the victim of crime involving a juvenile than at any other time
since the Department started tracking this statistic in 1990.
- Florida's juvenile crime rate is down from 80
delinquency referrals per 1000 juveniles during FY 2005-06 to 65
delinquency referrals for every 1000 juveniles during FY
2009-10.
Referrals and Youth Received
The Department received fewer delinquency referrals
last year than at any point since 1990.
- During FY 2009-10, DJJ received 121,689
delinquency referrals representing 75,382 youth.
- Since FY 2005-06, the number of referrals is down
19% from 150,396 to 121,689 and the number of youth referred for
delinquency is down 20% from 94,141 to 75,382.
Serious and Violent Juvenile Delinquency (offenses that declined)
During FY 2009-10, the Department received 35,823
delinquency referrals where a felony was the most serious offense, down
25% from 47,976 felony referrals received during FY 2005-06.
- Auto Theft referrals decreased 51%, from 3,071
during FY 2005-06 to 1,510 in FY 2009-10.
- Aggravated Assault and Battery decreased 31% from 10,371
during FY 2005-06 to 7,158 in FY 2009-10.
- Armed Robbery decreased 5%, from 1,022 during FY 2005-06 to
972 in FY 2009-10.
- Sexual Battery referrals decreased 21%, from 737 during FY
2005-06 to 582 in FY 2009-10.
- Attempted Murder/Manslaughter referrals decreased 38%, from 79
during FY 2005-06 to 49 in FY 2009-10.
- Burglary referrals decreased 7%, from 12,676 during FY 2005-06
to 11,831 in FY 2009-10.
Juvenile Drug Referrals
- Felony Drug (non-marijuana) referrals declined 44%, from
4,333 during FY 2005-06 to 2,427 in FY 2009-10.
- Felony Marijuana referrals declined 27%, from 1,487 during FY
2005-06 to 1,089 in FY 2009-10.
- Misdemeanor Marijuana referrals declined 10%, from 8,822 during
FY 2005-06 to 7,907 in FY 2009-10.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia referrals declined 5%, from 806
during FY 2003-04 to 846 during FY 2009-10.
Secure Detention Utilization
The overall utilization of the Department's secure detention
facilities declined in four of the past five years.
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, statewide utilization of
secure juvenile detention declined 33%.
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, admissions to secure
detention declined 25%.
Probation Placement Trends
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, the number of delinquency
cases disposed to a probation service declined by 14%.
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, the number of individual
youth assigned to a probation service declined by 19%.
Residential Placement Trends
During FY 2009-10, judges committed 5,476 individual juveniles
to residential commitment facilities, down 33% from 8,205 during FY 2005-06. The
number of girls committed to residential facilities has declined faster than
boys. Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, the number of boys committed to the
Department declined 32% while the number of girls declined 40%.
Juveniles Transferred to Adult Court
The number of delinquency cases in Florida
transferred to adult court declined 5%, from 3,828 during FY
2007-08 to 3,622 in FY 2009-10.
Types of Delinquency for Male and Female Youth
Youth in Florida, both males and females, are less violent and
are committing less serious offenses than in the past.
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, the number of male youth
charged with a felony offense declined by 25%.
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, the number of male youth
charged with a violent offense declined by 23%.
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, the number of female youth
charged with a felony offense declined by 28%.
- Between FY 2005-06 and FY 2009-10, the number of female youth
charged with a violent offense declined by 26%.
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