NCJ Number
237148
Date Published
2011
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This presentation on shackling of youth in the Florida juvenile justice system was given at the National Conference of State Legislatures Kids are Different - Age and Gender Distinctions in the Juvenile Justice System in November 2011.
Abstract
This presentation discusses the issue of shackling juvenile offenders involved in the Florida juvenile justice system. The presentation was given at the National Conference of State Legislatures Kids are Different - Age and Gender Distinctions in the Juvenile Justice System held in Orlando, FL, from November 1-4, 2011. The first part of the presentation covers Florida's Rules of Court (Fla. R. Juv. P. 8.100 (2011)) that deal with the presence and treatment of juveniles during delinquency proceedings. The second part of the presentation covers a decision by the Supreme Court of Florida regarding amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. The proposed amendments deal with changes to notification procedures used in delinquency proceedings and the addition of a new subdivision in the rule providing that physical restraints may not be used on juveniles during juvenile court appearances unless the court finds that the use of the restraints is necessary. The proposed amendments were adopted on January 1, 2010. The third part of the presentation is a report from the Florida State Senate detailing a policy analysis of the shackling of youth in the State's juvenile courts. The report discusses administrative and court rules that address shackling procedures, case law that protects the rights of juveniles, and current shackling practices and procedures used in Florida's juvenile courts.