Juvenile Charges In Florida: How The Process Differs From Adult Criminal Court
When a child is arrested, most parents are thrown into a system they have never seen before. If you are searching for a juvenile defense attorney Valrico FL, you are likely trying to understand how the juvenile process in Florida works and how it differs from adult criminal court.
This article is a general, parent focused overview of the structure of Florida’s juvenile system. It is not legal advice and it cannot tell any specific family what they should do. For guidance on your child’s situation, it is important to speak directly with a juvenile defense attorney.
Darrin Johnson Law handles juvenile defense cases from Valrico and Lakeland throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida area and focuses on protecting both the child’s rights and long term future.
Different goals for juvenile and adult systems
Florida law treats juvenile delinquency cases differently from adult criminal prosecutions in several important ways:
Juvenile cases are handled under a separate part of the Florida Statutes, with their own definitions and procedures.
The Department of Juvenile Justice and the courts generally emphasize rehabilitation, services, and supervision rather than long term punishment.
Hearings are held before a judge, not a jury, and the language used is different terms like “adjudication” and “disposition” instead of “conviction” and “sentencing.”
That does not mean juvenile cases are simple or that consequences are minor. They can affect school, driving privileges, future opportunities, and in some cases can lead to more serious outcomes. A juvenile defense attorney can walk you through what is at stake in your child’s specific case.
What often happens after a juvenile arrest in Florida
While every case is unique, parents often see the following general steps:
Law enforcement contact and referral
After an arrest or citation, law enforcement typically refers the case to the Department of Juvenile Justice for screening and assessment.Detention screening and possible detention hearing
Officials evaluate whether the child should be held in secure detention, placed on home detention, or released to a parent or guardian while the case moves forward. If detention is recommended, there is usually a short timeline for a detention hearing where a judge reviews the decision.Intake and assessment
The system may conduct risk and needs assessments, looking at school performance, prior history, family situation, and other factors that might relate to services or supervision.Formal charges and court dates
The State Attorney’s Office decides what charges to file in juvenile court. Parents and youth then receive notice of upcoming hearings.
Throughout this process, parents have the right to seek counsel for their child. The Juvenile Defense page at darrinjohnsonlaw.com explains that the firm represents minors in a wide range of cases, including theft, drug charges, assault allegations, underage alcohol related offenses, and school related incidents.
Hearings in juvenile court detention, adjudication, disposition
The juvenile system has its own set of hearings. Three common terms you may hear are:
Detention hearing
A detention hearing is where a judge decides whether a child should stay in secure detention, be placed on home detention, or be released while the case continues.Adjudicatory hearing
This is similar in concept to a trial, but without a jury. The judge hears evidence and decides whether the state has proven that the juvenile committed the charged delinquent act.Disposition hearing
If the court finds that the youth committed the act, a later disposition hearing focuses on what services, supervision, or placement are appropriate, usually trying to choose the least restrictive setting that still addresses safety and accountability.
A juvenile defense attorney can help parents understand what each hearing is about, what information will be important, and what questions to raise about services, schooling, and long term impact.
Diversion programs and rehabilitation focused options
One major difference between juvenile and adult systems is the frequent use of diversion and alternative programs.
Florida’s juvenile justice materials and court resources explain that, in some cases, eligible youth may be steered toward:
Community based diversion programs
Counseling or treatment services
Community service or restorative programs
Successful completion of certain diversion programs may allow some youth to avoid a formal adjudication of delinquency for that case, depending on the program and the underlying charge.
There are also specific juvenile diversion expungement and early expungement options in Florida law that can apply to some young people who complete approved diversion programs and meet other conditions.
The details of eligibility, deadlines, and effects are technical and change over time, so this article cannot tell you whether your child qualifies. That is a conversation to have with a juvenile defense attorney who works regularly with these programs.
Records, sealing, and expungement general ideas
Parents are often surprised to learn that juvenile records do not always disappear automatically at 18. In Florida:
Many juvenile records are automatically expunged at age 21 or 26, depending on the youth’s history and classification, but there are important exceptions.
Some records can be sealed or expunged earlier through specific processes if statutory criteria are met.
Even sealed or expunged records can remain visible to certain agencies in limited situations, such as some law enforcement or sensitive employment checks.
Because records rules are complex, it is important not to assume that a juvenile case will leave no trace. A juvenile defense attorney can explain how different outcomes may affect records and what options might exist in the future to limit access.
Why talk with a juvenile defense attorney Valrico FL early
The Law Office of Darrin E. Johnson, PLLC, in Valrico, represents juveniles and their families throughout the Tampa Bay region, including Lakeland and surrounding communities.
Parents often contact a juvenile defense attorney early to:
Understand what each hearing means and who will be involved
Learn what services or evaluations the court might consider
Ask about school notifications, driving, and other practical impacts
Discuss long term concerns about records, college, and employment
This article is meant to give you a framework so that terms like “detention hearing” or “disposition” sound less foreign when you hear them. It cannot tell you what your family should do in any particular case.
If your child is facing juvenile charges in Florida, the safest next step is to talk directly with a juvenile defense attorney who can review the specific charges, history, and goals, then explain options tailored to your child and your family.
