FL H0095

Changes language in Florida Statutes section 985.12 to make civil citations discretionary rather than mandatory for law enforcement officers encountering juveniles who admit to committing misdemeanors.

Law enforcement officers may issue civil citations to first-time misdemeanor offenders and assess up to 50 community service hours plus required participation in intervention services such as family counseling, urinalysis monitoring, and substance abuse or mental health treatment.

Civil citation programs must be established at the local level with agreement from the chief judge, state attorney, public defender, and local law enforcement agencies.

Requires agencies operating civil citation programs to report outcomes to the Department of Juvenile Justice and clarifies that issuing a civil citation is not considered a referral to the department.

Effective date: July 1, 2014.