Keeping kids out of the Juvenile Detention Facility and away from the cycle of incarceration is one of the major accomplishments of the civil citation program.
The program was expanded nearly two years ago thanks to memorandums of understanding by local law enforcement agencies and the state attorney’s office.
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The secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, Simone Marstiller, said the program has been successful.
“Kids will be kids sometimes and they make mistakes and they deserve second chances,” said Marstiller.
“It’s much more effective to catch them early, show them the consequences of their actions yes but teach them that this is not the direction that they want to go in.”
It’s now been two years since the civil citation program was expanded. On Thursday, leaders got together to hold a panel discussion about its progress.
According to the state attorney’s office, there was a 58 percent decline in juvenile arrests in 2018 compared to the year before.
The number of civil citations increased by 42 percent in 2017.
Handing out civil citations to juveniles who commit misdemeanors is a big change in attitude and it’s something that Roselyn Parker appreciates.
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“Maybe that will keep them from doing it again,” said Parker.
Those who qualify would get a ticket instead of handcuffs, but they must also go before an accountability board to answer for their actions.
“For misdemeanors civil citation is a great way to keep them from escalating their criminal activity,” said Marstiller.
Following its expansion, the state attorney’s office said 96 percent of youth did not re-offend within a year of completion.
If a juvenile has a gun, or is part of gang then that teen is disqualified from receiving a civil citation.