The Pensacola journal., 1910-06-12
FLORIDA'S CRYING NEED FOR REFORM
IN JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURE.

Why should needless child be forced, IN the eyes OF
the law on the plane the hardened criminal Of
matuer years? Is conceivable that the motives
prompt the youthful impusive evl-doer prompt the
stern, premeditatve adult? Will any stretch of the i'm
agination admit of such illogical parallel?
The youthful mind is plastic impressonabe. En-
vironment oftimes shapes the young mind at variance
with the higher and nober ideals. Evil associates and
cheap literature the mischevious spirit in the boy
Normally, believe the average mind is inclined to the
right but while in the formative stage, it be influenced
either for good for evil according the environment
Admitting this, then present method of dealing
with the youthful offender correct humane Christian,
just? No-Florda like majority of its Christian sister
states makes discrimination between the child and
its father insofar the letter of the law goes We take
the 14year-old boy who dangerous and suspicious
character thrust him behind the bars with the murderer
thief and thug of ripper years. and there his is
tered the docket and trivial charge made against him
O. yes the chances he will be "exonerated' the
morning before the recorders the Justices court but
until he has spent short period jail with criminals
and the who arrested him has collected measly fee
for his benevolent services rendered society There is
blacker spot the fair of any commonwealth
than the Fee System in vogue in Florida to-day 1t is
egalized form of graft of the first 1t is
toned mechanism for the turning out of criminals 1t
takes the lily from the sunlight and repans it in the
dungeon, to grow UP poisonous weed 1t takes the
plastic conscience of youth dwarfs it, modS it the
criminals cast. Once jailed and tried as a common
Florida needs give this question serious consider
alton. We must reform methods of juvenile court
procedure Many have already blazed the way in
this reform and the result is most gratifying.
A juvenile court proper separate and distinct from
the other courts with fatherly sympathetic Judge in
charge necessary. In addition paid probation officer
is necessary adjunct whose duty it shall be keep his
eye the youthful offender when enency is granted by
the Judge and make occasional reports the conduct
the child or youth.
The typical is the place to take child
if would correct and reform him. The private room of
the Judge with only the parents of the child present.
would seem to be the most satisfactory idea.
The next legislature of Florida will be asked to take
action this matter in fact the governor we url-
derstand, will recommend that law of some kind
changing the present method of dealing with children
who err be passed.
The Federated Women's Clubs of Pensacola is doing.
much good work. aided by the Y NJ c. A. and the Asso-
ciaed Charities creating statewide sentiment against
the present number OF local ATTORNEYS have
volunteered their services draft such law as will best
suit Florida conditions. They will secure copy of the
various laws in operation in eastern and northern
most desirable statute.
The chances for passing such law are bright, but
unquestionaby will with determined opposition in
the clique whose pockets fattened by the present
nefarious Fee System. These will fight this reform to
the last ditch hence behooves who are in sympathy
with the move to keep the matter before the public
The Journal trusts and believes that everv paDer in
Florida will lend its unrelentins aid in this matter