In the fiscal year 2000-2001, there were 51,325 delinquency referrals to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (Juvenile Justice) for felony offenses and 79,000 referrals for misdemeanor offenses. As high as these numbers appear, they are actually down from 1996-1997, when there were 59,295 felony referrals and 92,055 misdemeanor referrals. Speculation about what has contributed to this decrease in juvenile crime in the State invariably includes one of the more cutting-edge concepts implemented by the State of Florida in the mid-1990s – Juvenile Assessment Centers (JACs). JACs, which still operate in most areas of the State today, are prime examples of productive collaboration between state and local governmental entities in an area critical to the safety of our communities.
This Article will address several questions relating to JACs. First, this Article will describe which agency is responsible for JACs. Second, this Article will discuss why and how JACs were created. Third, this Article will explain how JACs are funded. Fourth, this Article will explain the current status of JACs and will focus on a specific model JAC. Finally, this Article will offer an opinion regarding the future of JACs.