The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) today released a report analyzing juvenile civil citation use and the prosecution of first-time misdemeanors. Both the use of juvenile civil citation for first-time misdemeanors and the formal processing of those cases offers important intervention and accountability at the earliest stage of juvenile delinquency.
This report is the latest iteration of a series of reports released by the department, including an analysis of case processing times and an analysis of the prosecution of serious juvenile offenses. These reports result from the department’s commitment to data-informed decision-making across the juvenile justice service continuum, a cornerstone of its newly released strategic plan, Pathway to Impact.
Civil citations are useful to ensure public safety by deterring first-time offenders and immediately holding them accountable for their actions. They allow the department and its law enforcement partners to effectively direct time and resources towards higher-risk juvenile offenders who pose a greater risk to public safety. Civil citation allows youth to receive sanctions, assessments, and intervention services to address the issues driving their behavior while holding them immediately accountable for their actions. Florida has led the nation in implementing juvenile civil citations, which have proven to be a highly effective tool to reduce further youth involvement in the juvenile justice system. During Fiscal Year 2020-2021, over 80% of youth successfully completed their civil citation programs, with only 4% reoffending in a 12-month period.
For youth charged with a first-time misdemeanor, diversion, the most common sanction for a first-time misdemeanor charge, and probation, the second most common, ensure youth accountability and offer access to services designed to address their specific needs and provide effective interventions to keep them from moving deeper into the juvenile justice system. A youth is not held accountable or provided treatment for their actions when first-time misdemeanor cases arenon-filed, meaning no charges are formally filed, or nolle prosequi, meaning the State Attorney’s Office decided not to pursue the case after charges are filed.
“This report highlights what research unequivocally demonstrates—that immediate accountability and early intervention in the lives of young people is essential to prevent juvenile crime while enhancing public safety,” said DJJ Secretary Eric Hall. “Taking intentional and responsible actions that help to keep children out of the juvenile justice system safeguards their future by preserving opportunities and empowers them to lead successful lives.”
The analysis conducted by DJJ covers the period between November 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022, to provide a full year of data and permit adequate time for the processing of cases that were formally handled. The results show the following:
- Statewide, 68% of first-time misdemeanants received civil citations.
- The circuit with the lowest civil citation issuance rate was Circuit 3 with 17%.
- The circuit with the highest civil citation issuance rate was Circuit 6 with 90%.
- Statewide, the rate of non-file and nolle prosequi outcomes for first-time misdemeanor referrals was 29%.
- The circuit with the lowest rate of non-file or nolle prosequi for first-time misdemeanors was Circuit 2 at 9%.
- The circuit with the highest rate of non-file or nolle prosequi for first-time misdemeanors was Circuit 9 at 66%.
- Statewide, the rate of no civil citation, non-file, or nolle prosequi for first-time misdemeanors was 9%.
- The circuit with the lowest rate of no civil citation, non-file, or nolle prosequi for first-time misdemeanors was Circuit 17 at 1%.
- The circuit with the highest rate of no civil citation, non-file, or nolle prosequi for first-time misdemeanors was Circuit 9 at 39%.
A copy of the full report can be found here.
