Florida Criminal Lawyer Blog

As noted in a recent St. Petersburgh Times article, Florida has the highest rate in the nation of locking up children for life even when the crime did not result in death. The state also transfers more children to the adult prison system and tries more juveniles as adults. At its highest point in the mid-nineties, Florida had around eight thousand transfers.

Burglary was the crime that most commonly got juvenile offenders into the adult justice system. Florida is among the 15 states that give prosecutors "direct file," that is, the ability to put juveniles into adult court at their discretion. Florida statutes dictate that for certain violent crimes, like murder, prosecutors must direct file or seek indictment. Aside from those cases, prosecutors generally look at the defendant's circumstances, particularly when they are a repeat offender, to determine if they should be charged as adults.

Despite high crime rates in the 1990's, Miami Dade County is now seen as a national model for effective juvenile justice, because the county focuses on getting services for first-time offenders based on needs rather than their crimes.

Source: Florida leads nation in locking up kids in adult jails, TampaBay.com, November 12, 2009

Continue reading "Broward County Juvenile Attorney Explains Why Children End Up in Adult Jails " »

According to statistics from Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice, the number of youths charged with violent felonies dropped 7% statewide between fiscal year 2003-2004 and 2007-2008. The decrease was 2% in Broward County, 12% in Palm Beach County, and 13% in Miami-Dade County. The drop in juvenile crime rates came despite a rise in population.

Crime experts attribute the decrease to better support programs for teens and a general drop in crime levels, including teenage crime. Another factor may be the departure from zero-tolerance policies from the past. For instance, instead of automatic arrest an officer can now turn minors over to the wrath of their parents.

While overall statistics show a drop in juvenile crime, several recent incidents in South Florida show that teens are still committing violent crimes. Last month, a 17-year-old Miami student stabbed a teen classmate to death at Coral Gables High School. And in 2008, a 12-year-old Lauderhill boy bludgeons his infant cousin to death with a baseball bat.

Brutal cases aside, juvenile crime down in South Florida, figures show, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 14, 2009

Continue reading "Broward Juvenile Lawyer - Data Shows Juvenile Crime Down in South Florida" »

In previous blog posts, Broward County Juvenile Lawyer Brian S. Leifert has explained how to manage a criminal record and given general background on criminal records in the United States. In this post, our South Florida criminal attorneys will discuss special forms of criminal records.

For instance, the United States justice system handles the criminal records of juveniles differently than the records of adult offenders. Most states, including Florida, treat anyone under the age of 18 as a juvenile offender. As long as the juvenile offender has not committed another crime, their records are usually sealed once the person reaches 18 years of age so that the person can get a fresh start as an adult rather than having their juvenile records follow them throughout their lives. The record can be kept open if there are additional crimes committed.

However, juvenile offenders are sometimes tried as an adult, and if the defendant is convicted, then the crime is entered on their record as if they were an adult. The person would then have to follow the same process as other adults if they would like to get their record sealed.

Another distinction is when a juvenile is convicted of a sexual offense such as rape, sexual assault, or inappropriate touching. All sex offenders, regardless of age, must register with the state sex offender registry in addition to having the offense added their record. The registries are accessible by anyone so that parents can be aware of registered sex offenders living in their area.

Special Forms of Criminal Records, HowStuffWorks.com

Continue reading "Broward Juvenile Lawyer Discusses Criminal Records for Juvenile and Sex Offenders" »

Three women were arrested last week in connection with a West Palm Beach stabbing. They are charged with aggravated assault. According to a report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff, Avia Pugh, 26, and Theresa Philmore, 33, were attacked last Thursday evening and treated for stab wounds at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Witnesses led police to the home of Shantoria Lindsey, who is the mother of two of the stabbing suspects and godmother to the third. Mikeria King, 18, and Denisha Camble, 19, are in Palm Beach County jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Both Camble and King have prior arrests. King was arrested last November on theft and traffic charges, according to jail records. Camble was arrested last year for larceny, criminal mischief, and failure to appear on a shoplifting charge. The third suspect is a 14-year-old who was turned over to juvenile authorities.

3 teens charged with stabbing 2 women west of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Post, March 23, 2009

Continue reading "Palm Beach Juvenile Attorney - 3 Juveniles Charged in West Palm Beach Aggravated Battery" »