FCCB Supports Juvenile Justice Measure Limiting the Transfer of Children to Adult System

Ingrid Delgado, FCCB associate for respect life and social concerns, joined juvenile justice advocates, parents and lawmakers at a press conference to encourage juvenile justice reform.

Of grave concern to the FCCB is the transfer of children to the adult criminal justice system. Children must be at least 14 years old to be transferred by the processes of direct file and judicial waiver. But a child  of any age could be tried as an adult in Florida through the indictment process.

"We recognize this practice is rare as 98% of transferred children are direct filed, but our laws should not allow the possibility of such young children to be sent to the adult system," said Delgado.

The FCCB thanks Senator Powell and Representative Alexander for filing legislation the would establish a minimum age of 14 to indict children as adults.