SAVING FUTURES Juvenile Civil Citations Florida League of Women Voters Juvenile Justice Committee Charlotte Nycklemoe, Chair January 2018 https://unsplash.com/photos/Vo1mMhWj2zU

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 http://www.lwvfl.org/issue/juvenile-justice

Agenda Civil citations defined Why civil citations matter Next Steps Discussion Speaker Tips: Depending on the audience, remember to introduce yourself and the League. Consider adding a personal anecdote here or elsewhere in presentation.

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: http://www.djj.state.fl.us/partners/our-approach/florida-civil-citation

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!

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’.

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

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

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

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

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

Juvenile Civil Citations Across Florida 61% Eligible Youth Oct. 2017 To update pie chart, right click and select “Edit Data” Source: http://www.djj.state.fl.us/research/reports/reports-and-data/interactive-data-reports/civil-citation-dashboard/cc-dashboard

Why civil citations matter

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

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.

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

STOP THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE

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

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

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

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