HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 28, No. 2 | Page 12

F R O M T H E S T A T E A T T O R N E Y An d re w H. Wa r re n - St at e At t o r n ey fo r t h e T h i r t e e n t h Ju d i c i a l Ci rc u i t A Smart Change for Juvenile Justice in Hillsborough County F The program is an evidenced-based, smart alternative to arrest and detention of juveniles for first-time minor offenses, allowing for early intervention into delinquency. or too long, our juvenile justice system in Hillsborough County has been ineffective: It’s been too focused on a reflexive system of arrest and detention — especially for minor, non-violent misdemeanors — and not enough on targeted treatment and rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. It hasn’t worked. Our system must take a more innovative approach — one that considers the long-term impact of how we prosecute our youth, one that breaks the cycle of juvenile recidivism, and one that is designed to keep our kids on the right path, all while keeping public safety as a number one priority. On August 1, 2017, Hillsborough County took an important first step towards that goal. The State Attorney’s Office was honored to lead the Continued on page 11 10 © Can Stock Photo / gajdamak NOV - DEC 2017 | HCBA LAWYER