Opinion ID: 1833546
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Adjudications of Delinquency

Text: As discussed above, the First District's recognition that a juvenile adjudication of delinquency will not give rise to the same consequences as an adult conviction unless the Legislature has expressly stated otherwise is supported by a long line of case law. The distinction between adjudications of delinquency and criminal convictions stems, in large part, from the consistent historical view that delinquent juveniles are not considered adult criminals. As this Court has recognized, the juvenile and criminal justice systems are separate and distinct and serve different purposes: A child offender, even after being adjudicated delinquent, is never held to be a criminal, even if the act would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. The key difference in approach lies in the juvenile justice system's ultimate aims. Juveniles are considered to be rehabilitatable. They do not need punishment. Their need lies in the area of treatment. P.W.G. v. State, 702 So.2d 488, 491 (Fla. 1997) (quoting In re C.J.W., 377 So.2d 22, 24 (Fla.1979)). It also appears that J.M.'s case illustrates the concerns underlying the judicial and legislative policy of treating juveniles differently. For example, the uncontroverted expert testimony presented to the trial court indicated that J.M. does not fit the profile of a sexual predator and that he has good prospects for rehabilitation. Obviously, subjecting him to the requirements of adult sexual predator notification and registration could jeopardize the attempt to rehabilitate him. [12] All of the experts who examined J.M., some of whom also performed civil commitment evaluations of adult sexual offenders for the State, testified that J.M. is likely to be rehabilitated and is unlikely to commit another sexual offense. From its order, it is also apparent the trial court had concluded that sexual predator designation was inappropriate in this case. [13]