Juvenile law in Florida governs how the state handles individuals under 18 who are accused of committing crimes. The system is designed to focus more on rehabilitation than punishment, although serious offenses can still carry harsh consequences. Here are key points about juvenile law in Florida:
Age of Jurisdiction
- Juveniles are defined as individuals under 18 years old.
- Florida courts retain jurisdiction over a juvenile until they turn 19, and in some cases, up to 21 if they are under Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) supervision.
Types of Juvenile Offenses
- Delinquent acts: Crimes committed by minors that would be crimes if committed by adults
- Status offenses: Acts that are only illegal because of the youth’s age (e.g., truancy, curfew violations).
Arrest and Diversion
- Law enforcement can arrest or issue a civil citation.
- Diversion program(s) are commonly used for first-time or non-violent offenders to avoid formal charges.
Detention
- Juveniles may be held in detention centers
Juvenile Court Process
- No jury trials—cases are heard by a judge only.
- If found guilty (adjudicated delinquent), the judge may impose sanctions such as:
- Probation
- Commitment to a residential program
- Restitution
- Counseling or community service
Transfer to Adult Court
Florida is one of the states that most frequently tries juveniles as adults, through:
- Direct file (prosecutor files in adult court), or
- Indictment (for serious crimes like murder).
Sealing and Expungement
- Juvenile records are not automatically sealed in Florida.
- Many juvenile records can be expunged, especially if the youth completes a diversion program.
- Some serious offenses (especially those transferred to adult court) may remain on the record.