The Adolescent Population of Florida

Florida's population of 10 to 17-year-olds decreased half a percent between FY 2010-11 and 2012-13. For FY 2010-11, Florida's population of 10 to 17-year-olds was estimated to be approximately 1.84 million, and 1.83 million during FY 2012-13.

Most Frequent Juvenile Offenses

• Misdemeanor simple assault or battery was the most common offense juveniles were arrested for during FY 2012-13.   There were 11,885 delinquency arrests where the most serious offense was misdemeanor assault or battery.
• Burglary was the most common felony offense.  During FY 2012-13, there were 8,874 delinquency arrests where the most serious offense was burglary.

"Moving in the Right Direction"

The majority of the Department’s key indicators of public safety and delinquency in Florida are trending in the right direction.  There are fairly substantial reductions in almost every major offense category, including the most serious juvenile offenses.  Results presented here show the positive impact resulting from the implementation of the Department’s strategic plan. The following section summarizes these trends.

Overall Juvenile Delinquency Rates in Florida

Florida's juvenile crime rate is down from 59 delinquency arrests per 1,000 juveniles during FY 2010-11 to 46 delinquency arrests for every 1,000 juveniles during FY 2012-13.

Arrests and Youth Received

• During FY 2012-13, DJJ received 83,494 delinquency arrests representing 50,803 youth.
• Since FY 2010-11, the number of arrests is down 23% from 108,407 to 83,494 and the number of youth arrested for delinquency is down 24% from 66,419 to 50,803.

Serious and Violent Juvenile Delinquency (offenses that declined)

During FY 2012-13, the Department received 26,484 delinquency arrests where a felony was the most serious offense, down 17% from 31,891 felony arrests received during FY 2010-11.

• Aggravated Assault and Battery arrests declined 20% from 6,391 during FY 2010-11 to 5,113 in FY 2012-13.
• Armed Robbery arrests decreased 13%, from 808 during FY 2010-11 to 706 in FY 2012-13.
• Sexual Battery arrests decreased 6%, from 812 during FY 2010-11 to 765 in FY 2012-13.
• Murder/Manslaughter arrests decreased 52%, from 88 during FY 2010-11 to 42 in FY 2012-13.
• Burglary arrests decreased 19%, from 10,910 during FY 2010-11 to 8,874 in FY 2012-13.

Juvenile Drug and Alcohol Arrests

• Felony drug arrests decreased 28%, from 2,721 in FY 2010-11 to 1,968 in FY 2012-13.
• Misdemeanor drug arrests declined 20%, from 8,489 during FY 2010-11 to 6,768 in FY 2012-13.
• Alcohol offense arrests declined 16%, from 1,416 during FY 2010-11 to 1,193 during FY 2012-13.

Secure Detention Utilization

Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13, admissions to secure detention declined 26%.

Probation Placement Trends

Fewer youth and cases are being disposed by the court to a probation service.

• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13, the number of delinquency cases disposed to a probation service declined by 11%.
• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13, the number of individual youth assigned to a probation service declined by 15%.

Residential Placement Trends

• During FY 2012-13, judges committed 3,067 individual juveniles to residential commitment facilities, down 33% from 4,585 during FY 2010-11.
• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13 the number of males committed to the Department declined 33%, from 3,941 to 2,658.
• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13 the number of females committed to the Department declined 36%, from 644 to 409.

Juveniles Transferred to Adult Court

The number of youth in Florida transferred to adult court declined 36% since FY 2010-11, from 2,391 to 1,535 in FY 2012-13.

Types of Delinquency for Male and Female Youth

Youth in Florida, both males and females, are committing less serious, violent offenses than in the past.

• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13, the number of male youth arrested with a felony offense declined by 18%.
• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13, the number of male youth arrested with a violent felony offense declined by 17%.
• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13, the number of female youth arrested with a felony offense declined by 14%.
• Between FY 2010-11 and FY 2012-13, the number of female youth arrested with a violent felony offense declined by 18%.

 

 

Last Updated: 1/16/14