Florida leads the nation in prosecuting juveniles as adults. Through a process called direct file, Florida prosecutors can try youth as young as 14 facing felony charges as adults. There are 21 felony offenses that can send 14- and 15-year-olds to the adult court system while juveniles ages 16 and 17 can be transferred to the adult system for any felony charge. Direct file allows prosecutors to charge juveniles as adults without input from a judge. 98% of juveniles in Florida who are tried as adults end up in the adult system through direct file.