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Study: Duval in top 3 of Florida counties for most juvenile arrests

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new study found most Florida counties are still not using arrest alternatives for juveniles as much as proponents say they should.

The nonprofit Caruthers Institute found in its study that three-quarters of Florida counties earned an "F" grade when it comes to providing an alternative to arresting juveniles them for common youth misbehavior.

Duval is one of the top three counties in the state when it comes to the number of juvenile arrests. Duval, Hillsborough and Orange counties totaled more than 2,000 in 2016.

“Our youth, they’re getting jailed, they’re getting their chances taken away from them because of some things they’re just getting locked up for,” said Leofric Thomas Jr with the mentoring group Straight and Narrow Project.

It's something that needs to change, Thomas said.

“We teach them, educational, social and community ways to be better with their peers, with their schools and also change the narrative people write about them,” Thomas said.

It’s a narrative for which State Attorney Melissa Nelson is trying to write a different ending. Her office sent Action News Jax this statement:

“The data for this study was collected prior to State Attorney Nelson’s arrival in January. Since then, our office worked with 21 other law enforcement agencies in the Fourth Judicial Circuit and juvenile justice stakeholders to reform the civil citation process and expand its use. This partnership was finalized in May, when stakeholders from each agency signed a new Memorandum of Understanding for issuing citations to qualified juvenile offenders.

"(The news release and pictures from that event can be found at http://www.sao4th.com/new-juvenile-civil-citations-agreement-finalized/. The release also details the different changes.)
The policy change also was acknowledged on Page 8 of the Caruthers report, under the 'Key Findings' heading:

“Notably, in May 2017 Duval adopted a new memorandum of understanding, led by its newly-elected state attorney and agreed to by all law enforcement agencies to expand its use of civil citation.

"Early results, for example, in Duval County have been promising. According to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, 39 percent of eligible youth received citations in April of this year. In May, it was 51 percent, June and July 70 percent, and August 67 percent.

"This partnership has already resulted in increased issuance and we believe this will continue in the years ahead."

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office introduced the program to City Council members.

“This is something that we’re trying to push. We think it’s a good opportunity for the young people for minor offenses,” Undersheriff Pat Ivey said.

Meanwhile, Thomas said everyone deserves a second chance.

“It’s important, to have a second chance, because not everyone is their mistake,” Thomas said.

Nelson said the citation program is already working. In April 2017, 39 percent of eligible youth received citations, in May 51 percent, June and July 70 percent and in August, 67 percent.