Juvenile Delinquency in Florida
Juvenile delinquency is a sad part of the American legal system. When youth start down the wrong path it is imperative that steps are taken to get them back on track. Juvenile delinquents miss important experiences that their crime-free peers will enjoy, such as completing school in a timely manner and other staples of youth.
What leads young people to commit crimes? The most common theories are that youth commit these offenses when they are bored, and especially when they are influenced negatively by peer pressure. Some studies look to influences from their parents and older siblings as possibly influencing youth to perform illegal acts.
No matter the cause, when a youth commits a crime and is punished for it, they suffer. While almost any crime can be committed by someone underage, there are quite a few crimes that stand out as those that are most often the reason a young person is being referred to the juvenile court. These crimes are usually addressed with a service requirement, a fine, or possibly detainment within a juvenile facility.
Most Common Underage Crimes in Florida
· Youth taken into the legal system are most often charged with misdemeanor theft.
· Similarly, for all the juveniles that were brought in on felony charges a majority were accused of a burglary felony.
· Out of drug offenses, misdemeanor marijuana referrals are the most common reasons for youth being brought to court.
In the state of Florida delinquency prevention programs targeted at the youth appear to be making a difference. Although the overall population of underage Floridians has increased, the juvenile crime rate has decreased across the board.
Youth Crimes That Have Decreased
· Felony and misdemeanor narcotic offenses.
· Sexual assault
· Aggravated assault and battery
· Auto theft
· Murder
· Armed robbery
The Florida public is less likely to be affected by a juvenile crime today than it ever has been in the past ten years. This positive trend leaves hope for the future.
