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The Future of Juvenile Justice


DJJ is working to revise Florida statutes to incorporate into law best practices for the juvenile justice system. We welcome your input on this important initiative.

October 25, 2012

We would like to inform the Boards and Councils work group that a work group meeting will be held in Tallahassee on Monday, December 10th from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss the future role of juvenile justice boards and councils with you. If you are unable to make the trip a conference call line will be open for you to listen in. A meeting agenda will be sent out prior to the meeting.

 

What: DJJ’s Boards and Councils work group meeting 

When: Monday, December 10th 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

           Training Center, Suite 1318, Alexander Building

           2020 Capital Circle Southwest

           Tallahassee, FL 32399

Call in: 1-888-670-3525 then 4208427822# (Participant Code)

 

October 12, 2012

Regular work group meetings and conference calls will resume in May after the 2013 legislative session. For more information on DJJ's current reform efforts and Town Hall meetings please visit our Roadmap page here.

July 27, 2012 

 

Conference calls have been scheduled for August 15th and August 16th.

 

Call in number: 1-888-670-3525   Passcode: 4175164979 then #

  

August 15th

August 16th

1:00-1:30 Education

11:00-11:30 Boards and Councils

1:45-2:15 Juvenile Records

11:45-12:15 Diversion and Alternative Sanctions

2:30-3:00 Judicial Process

 

 

June 15, 2012

 

Thank you for your interest in the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s (DJJ) initiative to incorporate best practices into state law and to continue our efforts to reform the juvenile justice system. After considering the responses we have received so far, we believe it is important not to limit this project to one legislative session. While there may be revisions prepared in advance of the 2013 legislative session, the careful consideration of other more substantive issues will warrant an extended timeline into the 2014 legislative session. We have established a process for you to follow so that your voice and all others with a stake in reform may be heard as we craft proposed revisions for the Florida Legislature to consider. 

 

Here is how the process will work:  

 

We have identified key issues to target for proposed revision.  An oversight committee will be formed in late summer to review the work done as a result of input from stakeholders, providers and the public that share the vision of improving the juvenile justice system.  We have identified six working groups for each juvenile justice issue. These working groups will represent various juvenile justice stakeholders, including our boards and councils, and will review subjects and issues for inclusion in any proposed changes to state law. If you have expressed an interest in being involved in this project we will be reaching out to you.  We will also post on the website scheduled work group meetings as dates are selected.  These work groups will cover broad areas within the juvenile justice system and will be tasked with drafting statutory revisions that will codify best practices into law.   

 

 Because input from all juvenile justice stakeholders is extremely important AND critical to this process, we have dedicated this page on our website to this reform effort. Please use the form on this webpage to identify which areas of the juvenile justice system in which you are interested. Text boxes are dedicated to each part of Chapter 985 and Chapter 984, Florida Statutes.

 

 In the first text box you can identify what the issue(s) you think needs to be addressed. The second text box is for you to provide specific recommendations on how to address the stated issue or concern. You may also send your comments to us via letter. Please remember that all comments and information you submit to DJJ on the form, or by any other correspondence, become public record under state law.  

 

You are not required to identify yourself, but if you want DJJ to contact you with any questions regarding your comments or if you would like to receive updates on this initiative please complete the fields below. 

 


Please enter your First and Last Name, First Name listed first. Ex: Joe Doe
Please enter the Organization Name.
Please enter your Email Address.
Please enter your phone number. Enter the format (###)###-####.
Please enter the Phone Extension.
Please enter a mailing address.
Please enter address Apt/Suite Information.
Please enter City.
Please enter Zip Code.
Below are six (6) juvenile justice topics which will be discussed over the coming months. Please select your level of interest in each topic from the associated drop down menus. If you are interested in additional juvenile justice topics please use the text boxes below to comment.

Florida’s juvenile justice statutes are divided into thirteen parts in Chapter 985, and related provisions governing Children and Families in Need of Services are included in Chapter 984 . A brief description of each part is provided below to help you decide where your comments are best suited.

PART I:
General Provisions (ss. 985.01-985.039) 
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Specifies the juvenile justice system’s purpose and intent; provides definitions; and addresses the right to counsel, whether court hearings are open to the public, victim’s rights, punishments for violating court orders, and the responsibility of parents and legal guardians to reimburse the department for costs of care and supervision.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.01). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART II:
Records and Information (ss. 985.04-985.047) 
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Identifies who may receive and share juvenile information; specifies which records are confidential; directs how records will be maintained; and, requires certain records systems.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.04). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART III:
Custody and Intake; Intervention and Diversion (ss. 985.101-985.16)
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Addresses custody and intake procedures including, photos, fingerprints and release; authorizes diversion programs and assessment centers; establishes civil citation as an alternative to custody; identifies juvenile probation officer responsibilities; and, provides the state attorney with discretion to file cases.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.101). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART IV:
Examinations and Evaluations (ss. 985.18-985.195)
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Authorizes medical, psychiatric, psychological, substance abuse, and educational examinations and treatment services; permits evaluations to determine a youth’s fitness for court proceedings; allows for the temporary transfer of youths with mental health or substance abuse issues for diagnosis and evaluation purposes.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.18). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART V:
Detention (ss. 985.24-985.275)
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Specifies when detention is appropriate, when it is not, and provides time limitations; details detention intake, risk assessment, and the scheduling of hearings; addresses transfer and release; and provides for the detention of children escaping from the custody of the department.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.24). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART VI:
Petition, Arraignment, and Adjudication (ss. 985.318-985.35)
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Provides the means and methods by which juvenile court is accessed, including how a case is filed and how parties are notified of court proceedings; protects persons ordered to appear in court from being fired; provides youths with notice of their rights; authorizes participation in pretrial intervention and drug court programs; and provides for hearings to resolve cases.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.318). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART VII:
Disposition; Postdisposition (ss. 985.43-985.494)
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Provides the means and methods by which juvenile cases are disposed, beginning with  assessment of a child’s risks and needs before any court proceeding; specifies dispositional alternatives; gives the court discretion to require probation, restitution, or residential commitment, as well as post-release options; addresses violations of supervision or conditions of release, and permissible punishments; authorizes the department to prepare youths  for adulthood and return to their communities; addresses juvenile correctional facilities, felony offenders and sexual offenders.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.43). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART VIII:
Authority of the Court Over Parents or Guardians (ss. 985.511-985.514)
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May require parents to pay for legal representation; obligates parents to accept court-ordered agency assistance; authorizes the court to require attendance at parenting classes, participation in family counseling, performance of community service and payment of restitution.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.511). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART IX:
Appeal (ss. 985.534-985.536)
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Provides the means and methods for taking an appeal from juvenile court.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.534). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART X:
Transfer To Adult Court (ss. 985.556-985.57)
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Specifies when transfer to adult court is required and permitted; provides criteria for judges to utilize juvenile sanctions, rather than adult sanctions, when a youth is tried as an adult; and authorizes youths sentenced to the Department of Corrections to be transferred to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice in certain instances.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.556). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART XI:
Department of Juvenile Justice (ss. 985.601-985.694)
Click Here to Read More>>


Provides requirements for the administration of the juvenile justice system; identifies funding sources; requires prevention services along with educational and vocational training opportunities; authorizes rulemaking; specifies contracting powers; requires staff training; creates local advisory bodies; and details shared county-state responsibilities.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.601). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART XII:
Miscellaneous Offenses (ss. 985.701-985.731)
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Protects youths from sexual misconduct while in department custody; prohibits certain items in juvenile detention or residential facilities; provides penalties for escape from juvenile detention or residential facilities; provides notification requirements when sheltering or assisting minors.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.701). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

PART XIII:
Interstate Compact on Juveniles (ss. 985.801-985.8025)
Click Here to Read More>>


Authorizes states to assist each other in returning juveniles to their home states, including Florida, and allows for supervision of offenders in their home states; authorizes the Governor to enter into agreements with other states for specified purposes; creates the Interstate Commission for Juveniles.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 985.801). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

CH. 984 CINS/FINS: Children-in-Need-of Services and Families-In-Need-of-Services
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Provides for round-the-clock crisis counseling and shelter for runaway, ungovernable, troubled and/or habitually truant children and their families; specifies court procedures.
Enter the specific statute that you are commenting in the section (Ex: ss. 984.01). 200 characters is the allowed limit.
NOTE: For multiple statute numbers, please separate with commas.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.
3500 characters is the allowed limit.

Miscellaneous:


3500 characters is the allowed limit.

If you have any questions or comments about this initiative, please contact us at comments@djj.state.fl.us, or at 2737 Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399.

Please remember that correspondence sent to that email address or to any other DJJ email or mailing address become public record under Florida law.


© 2012 Florida Department of Juvenile Justice


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