Senate bill would expand civil penalties for juvenile criminal cases

TALLAHASSEE — A bill that could lead to more juveniles receiving civil citations for misdemeanor crimes, rather than getting arrested, is moving ahead in the Florida Senate.

The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee this week unanimously approved the measure (SB 378) by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah.

Garcia’s bill would eliminate part of state law that says juvenile diversion programs are only available to first-time misdemeanor offenders. That would allow civil-citation and other diversion programs to be used in second or subsequent offenses.

Over the past four years, the use of civil citations in Florida has increased from seven to 59 of the state’s 67 counties. But James Myles, executive director of St. Petersburg’s Bethel Community Foundation, said 13,000 juveniles were arrested in Florida without the option of a civil citation last year.

Not everyone hailed the measure. Samantha Padgett, general counsel of the Florida Retail Federation, said her group supports the civil-citation program but that there should be some limit on the number of chances given to offenders.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/senate-bill-would-expand-civil-penalties-for-juven/nkgsF/