If your child has been arrested for a juvenile charge in Pinellas County, or any surrounding county in central Florida, then contact a St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney at the Morris Law Firm. Melinda Morris is available to has specific experience in defending juveniles with criminal offenses.
As a former a prosecutor, Melinda Morris served in the juvenile division with the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. She prosecuted a range of very serious juvenile criminal offenses from investigation through trial. Additionally, Ms. Morris received special training on prosecuting juvenile crimes from the State of Florida.
This inside knowledge is of critical importance and can benefit the defense of your loved one's case. Read more about specific issues related to juvenile defense in the following pages:
These cases are unique and having an experienced St. Petersburg juvenile lawyer who understands the nuances of Florida law can make a big difference in your child’s future. It is advantageous to act fast and pursue favorable options such as dropped charges or a diversion program, which if successfully completed will result in the charges being dismissed.
After an arrest for an offense, your child will most likely go to a Juvenile Detention Center where they will be assessed by Department of Juvenile Justice officials and can be detained until they see a Judge for a detention hearing / First Appearance. These hearings are held at 8AM seven days a week.
The Morris Law Firm is a full service criminal defense firm that will:
Strive To Minimize Your Court Appearances:
It may be possible to resolve your case without your appearance in Court or the need for a trial.
Investigate, Assess & Analyze Your Case:
With experience as a Former State Prosecutor, we will assess the case against your child and explain the possible outcomes.
We will research all legal issues in your child's case and pursue the best possible resolution for your child.
Negotiate on Your Behalf:
With our local knowledge of the State Attorney’s Office, we will immediately communicate with the Prosecutor and negotiate on your child's behalf. In many cases the Prosecutor has the discretion to file reduced charges, or to not file charges at all.
Prepare Your Defense:
We will strive to file any necessary motions to dismiss or motions to attempt to exclude evidence in an effort to maximize your child's opportunity for a positive outcome.
We will represent your child at any necessary pre?trial hearings, pre?trial motions, and at trial.
Conclude Your Case:
We will continue to advocate your child's case at sentencing, to attempt to reduce any negative impact on them.
If possible, we will work on your child's behalf to have their records sealed or expunged.
Both the adult and juvenile justice systems rely on the same laws in Florida. That is: a crime is a crime, regardless of how old a person is when it was committed. The difference is the sanctions imposed and the philosophy behind each system. The juvenile system focuses more on intervention, rehabilitation and prevention, while the focus of the adult system is punishment and prevention.
The Morris Law Firm can defend your child or dependent minor against Juvenile Offenses including:
All Felonies / Misdemeanors;
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) - which including Florida's zero tolerance provisions with a lower legal limit of .02;
Boating Under the Influence (BUI);
Drug Offenses (including possession of marijuana to more serious offenses such as possession with intent to sell or trafficking)
Traffic Offenses - including reckless driving and fleeing and eluding;
Assault / Battery
Burglary / Robbery / Theft - including petit theft or shoplifting, and more serious grand theft charges, robbery or burglary;
Be sentenced to confinement in a Juvenile Detention Center (Residential Commitment)
Be confined to house arrest and/or probation
Lose their Driver’s License
Be subject to a curfew
Face fines
Be required to perform community service
Be subject to random drug testing
Be required to attend substance abuse evaluation and treatment
Be required to attend anger management counseling
Be required to attend theft prevention counseling
Be required to pay restitution
Have a permanent criminal record (if charged as an adult)
The purpose of Florida's juvenile justice system is to protect society more effectively by attempting to rehabilitate, not just punish, children who commit crimes. Children in Florida are persons under age 18. Juvenile courts in Florida work with law enforcement, prosecution and defense lawyers, and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in devising rehabilitation plans for children in trouble with the law. The courts will try to ensure that the child learns from his or her experience and returns to the community as a productive citizen, without having suffered permanent harm.
Children who are referred to the juvenile court have many of the same rights as an adult charged with a crime. You and your family should understand those rights.
Florida Statute Section 958.03 defines various terms related to the term "youthful offenders" including:
"Youthful offender" is defined as any person who is sentenced as such by the court or is classified as such by the department pursuant to s. 958.04.
"Community control program" is defined as a form of intensive supervised custody in the community, including surveillance on weekends and holidays, administered by officers with restricted case loads. Community control is an individualized program in which the freedom of the offender is restricted within the community, home, or noninstitutional residential placement and specific sanctions are imposed and enforced.
"Department" means the Department of Corrections.
"Court" means a judge or successor who designates a defendant as a youthful offender.
"Probation" means a form of community supervision requiring specified contacts with parole and probation officers and other terms and conditions as provided in s. 948.03.
Direct File to Audit
There are two types of direct file: mandatory and discretionary. A direct file is a transfer to adult court by the prosecutor. The juvenile court judge has no authority to prevent the transfer and no hearing will take place. This means that these juveniles have been transferred lacking the benefit of a judicial hearing, so there has been no judgment by an unbiased judicial officer that there are services in the adult system for them, or that they are unsuitable for services in a juvenile court.
Mandatory direct files branch from Florida’s state law requiring that for certain crimes a juvenile 16 years and older be tried as an adult. The law allows no exception.
Discretionary direct file law allows the prosecutor to file charges for certain crimes against a juveniles 14 years or older in adult court. The decision to send a discretionary case to the adult court is the decision of the prosecutor. A judge cannot reverse a prosecutor's discretionary decision to direct file a case. The prosecutorial decision to direct file a discretionary case is non-reviewable and non-appealable. If the prosecutor chooses to direct file, the charging document will be filed in adult criminal court.
In most cases juvenile possession of marijuana charges are charged as adult drug charges. All drug offense consequences can be far reaching, including but not limited to: negatively affecting employment, military, or academic status; prohibition from attending school or recreational activities; ineligibility to have your record sealed; and if convicted a mandatory two (2) year driver’s license suspension.
Both the adult and juvenile justice systems rely on the same Possession of Marijuana laws in Florida. That is: a crime is a crime, regardless of how old a person is when it was committed. The difference is the sanctions imposed and the philosophy behind each justice system. Florida's Juvenile Justice System focuses more on intervention, rehabilitation and prevention, while the focus of the adult system is punishment and prevention.
If the juvenile is going to be tried as an adult for Possession of Marijuana, the case will be heard in adult criminal court. All the same rules of the criminal court apply. While the juvenile system is specifically interested in rehabilitation, that is not the case with the adult criminal system. The Morris Law Firm's mission is to prevent juveniles from being tried as adults.
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice - The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice mission is to escalate public safety by decreasing juvenile criminal behavior through operative prevention, intervention and treatment services that support families and turn around the lives of troubled minors.
Pinellas County Regional Juvenile Detention Center - The detention center houses 120 children in a secure facility being detained by the circuit court while waiting trial, sentencing or placement in various commitment facilities. The Juvenile Detention Center is located at the following address:
Juvenile Detention Center for Pinellas County5255 140th Avenue North, Clearwater, FL, 33760
Overview of Delinquency Process - The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice website provides valuable information on the Intake process of juvenile law violators. If you child is in trouble with the law visit the FDJJ website to get a clear understanding of the Intake process.
Detention Services FAQs - Visit The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice for frequently asked question related to Juvenile Detentions Services.
Probation and Community Intervention FAQs - Visit The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice for frequently asked questions about Juvenile Probation and Community service sentencing.
If your child is brought in for questioning, should he or she cooperate with law enforcement?
Yes and No. A good general rule is to tell your child that if taken to the police station as a suspect, he or she should be cooperative, but not answer questions about particular offenses until you are there to help. Anyone taking a child into custody must try to notify the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian. Florida law says a child can be questioned outside the presence of his or her parents. However, in deciding whether a confession will be admitted as evidence against the child, the judge will consider whether the child fully understands his or her constitutional rights, and whether the parents should have been present to advise the child.
Children do have the right to consult a juvenile lawyer before making a statement or answering questions, but in cases of minor offenses, it may not be necessary. However, if your child is charged with a major crime, such as a very serious property offense or a crime against a person, for which he or she could be tried as an adult, or if your child is currently under any type of court supervision, you and your child should certainly consult with a criminal defense lawyer before speaking to the police.
Your child can be taken to the county jail and held to be fingerprinted and photographed upon a reasonable belief that he or she has committed a crime. These records should be kept separately, are not available to the public, and should be destroyed at specific points in time or by court order. The police are then required to release your child to you or another responsible adult relative, or DJJ Intake for the purpose of releasing your child to you or detaining your child in a secure juvenile detention facility.
Can your child be put in jail?
No, unless your child has previously been tried and convicted in adult court, or is being transferred to adult court for the first time. If your child is held in jail, he or she must be separated from adult inmates by sight and sound.
Your child can be placed in "detention care" pending a court hearing. The DJJ Intake Counselor will determine if detention is necessary based on specific criteria. Detention may include "secure detention" (physical restriction in a DJJ detention facility); "non?secure detention" (placement in a physically nonrestrictive residential facility supervised by DJJ); or "home detention" (placement at home with DJJ supervision).
If your child is detained, a reasonable effort must be made to notify you. A child may not be detained for more than 24 hours without a hearing before a judge to determine the need for continued detention. Once a child is placed into detention, an adjudicatory hearing (trial) must begin within 21 days. There is no right to a bail bond in juvenile proceedings.
If the police charge your child, what procedures follow?
Information concerning the charges will be furnished to the DJJ and to the state attorney for review. A counselor from DJJ will contact you and your child and arrange a conference to discuss the charge and your child's background.
Your child should refrain from answering questions about involvement in the actual crime, because this conversation can be used in court in many instances. DJJ will make recommendations to the state attorney concerning appropriate ways to handle the matter. These recommendations are advisory only; the state attorney will make the final determination as to whether or not formal charges (a delinquency petition) will be filed against your child.
In many parts of Florida, including St. Petersburg and Clearwater in Pinellas County, less serious offenses are handled by diverting the child from the formal judicial process into programs designed to remedy the situation without the need for court action. You should inquire about these programs.
Are all law violations by children handled in juvenile court?
No. If your child commits a violation of law pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle, other than a felony traffic offense, the charges will be referred to the same court that handles traffic and motor vehicle offenses committed by adults.
Provisions in Florida law allow the prosecutor with the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office to transfer certain charges and certain children for prosecution in the criminal courts. A child, joined by his or her parents, has a right to demand to be tried as an adult. Cases also are referred to other programs outside juvenile court for resolution, such as a community arbitration program or a diversion program.
Does your child have the right to be represented by an attorney?
Yes. Florida law provides your child the right to be represented by a defense lawyer at all stages of any juvenile court proceeding. If the judge determines that you are financially able to do so, you have an obligation to provide an attorney for your child.
If you are not financially able to hire your own juvenile criminal defense lawyer, the court may appoint a public defender to represent your child. If a public defender is appointed, the court can assess a fee for the public defender's services against you as your child's parent or guardian. Any lawyer is obligated to represent your child's best interests and not necessarily the parent's wishes.
Does your child really need an attorney in delinquency proceedings?
That is a question your child, in consultation with you, will have to answer. Remember that your child's attorney will represent the child's interest. Discussions about the case between your child and his or her attorney are confidential. The criminal defense attorney will be as cooperative as possible with the parent(s), but cannot violate confidences between the attorney and your child.
If a delinquency petition is filed against your child, it is wise to have a criminal defense lawyer experienced in representing children in juvenile court determine whether there is a legal basis for the charge as well as whether the legal requirements were met before the charges were filed. This is even more important when the state attorney is seeking prosecution against your child in adult court.
Does your child have a right to a trial in juvenile court?
Yes and No. There is no constitutional right to be tried as a child merely because of age. A child may demand to be tried as an adult or may be transferred for prosecution as an adult under certain circumstances.
If a delinquency petition is filed against your child and he or she pleads not guilty, a trial will be held before a juvenile court judge. If the child is prosecuted as an adult, the trial will be the same as an adult criminal proceeding.
What is a "treatment plan?"
Florida law provides that a child who has had a delinquency petition filed against him or her can make a contract with the judge to be placed voluntarily under the supervision of DCF without admitting guilt. The child gives up the right to a speedy trial and agrees to obey specific conditions.
The judge promises that if the child complies with the conditions, the delinquency petition will be dismissed and the child's record will be wiped clean. If the child does not comply, the delinquency petition can be brought up again. The child will need the help of an attorney and the DCF counselor to prepare the required documents. The treatment plan is an excellent way for a child to "pay for the crime," without retaining a record in juvenile court. The plan must include the state attorney's consent to defer prosecution.
What happens if your child is found guilty?
If your child pleads guilty or is found guilty, the judge will go on to the dispositional phase of the delinquency proceeding to determine what should be done for your child. At the disposition hearing the court is required to consider a report prepared by DCF which contains information on your child and his or her background. The court is required to discuss the offense with your child and give everyone present, including the victim, you, your child, your child's attorney, the prosecutor, the arresting officer, and representatives of DCF and your school system an opportunity to comment on the offense and an appropriate disposition.
Many times a child is placed on probation, called community control, with specific conditions the child must obey. For children charged with serious offenses or who have a record of serious offenses, commitment to DCF may be ordered. The child is then placed in the custody of DCF. Commitment may be to a program in which your child still remains at home, or to a program in which your child is temporarily removed and placed in a residential facility.
A finding of guilt in a juvenile proceeding can later be used by the court in sentencing in adult court for subsequent criminal convictions under certain circumstances.
Do you have any liability for delinquent acts committed by your child?
You may. Florida law allows the juvenile court to order you to pay restitution to the victim of up to $2,500 for each criminal episode in which your child is involved. In these cases, your liability is limited to the actual damages plus court costs.
Additionally, another provision of Florida law allows the victim to sue you outside of juvenile court for damages done to his or her property by your child. You may wish to consult with an attorney if it appears an effort will be made, either in juvenile court or in a separate lawsuit, to hold you financially liable for damages done by your child.
Are juvenile court records confidential?
Yes. Juvenile records should be kept separate and apart from other court records. Accessibility is limited to the child, his or her attorney and parents, DCF, law enforcement, some school personnel, and some correctional staff.
They should never be accessible to the general public. Even the records of related agencies are not accessible without permission of the court. As with police records, there is also a provision for their destruction at specific points in time. Victims also have a right to the information and reports.
Does this mean the media cannot publish your child's name?
No, it does not. Juvenile court hearings are open to the public unless closed by the court. The press is free to publish any information gathered at a public hearing. Florida law also permits the police to release the name and address of a child 16 years of age or older who has been arrested for a felony.
Morris Law Firm represents youth facing charges throughout Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole and nearby areas. Juvenile charges are a very sensitive matter to parents and young offenders. Contact the Morris Law Firm today to learn more about how we can defend your child's future.
Morris Law Firm 111 2nd Avenue Northeast #515 St. Petersburg,FL33701
727-388-4736 (Phone)
877-353-8404 (Toll Free)
727-388-9639 (Fax)
The information you obtain via this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney directly for advice regarding your individual situation. Receipt or viewing of information on this website, or corresponding via contact form, email, or other methods does not create an attorney-client relationship. Copyright 2012 - 2013 Morris Law Firm | Attorney Website Design by Internet LAVA
Morris Law Firm
727-388-4736 (Phone)
877-353-8404 (Toll Free)
727-388-9639 (Fax)
