April 7, 2011

Staff Analysis of Florida Senate Bill 997, Juvenile Civil Citations

The legislation goes into effect on July 1, 2011. It requires local entities—counties and municipalities—to establish civil citation programs and other diversions for first-time, low-risk juvenile offenders. Previously, Florida law permitted local entities to establish such programs, but they were not required to do so. Under a diversion program, a law enforcement officer can offer a civil citation requiring up to 50 hours of community service to juveniles who admit to committing a misdemeanor. The state Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will develop the guidelines for the civil citation program, which include intervention services that are based on proven civil citation or similar programs in the state.