Opinion ID: 1644479
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: DJJ Intake, Assessment, and Recommended Disposition

Text: Once E.A.R. was in custody, law-enforcement and DJJ personnel began the intake process, which involves the initial acceptance and screening by the [DJJ] of a complaint or a law enforcement report or probable cause affidavit of delinquency ... to determine the recommendation to be taken in the best interests of the child, the family, and the community. The emphasis of intake is on diversion and the least restrictive available services. § 985.03(27), Fla. Stat. (2007) (emphasis supplied); see generally ch. 985, part III, Fla. Stat. (2007) (addressing juvenile custody and intake). The DJJ accomplishes intake screening within a case management system, through which DJJ personnel assess the child's needs and risks and... determine the most appropriate treatment plan and setting for the child's programmatic needs and risks. The intake process shall result in choosing the most appropriate services through a balancing of the interests and needs of the child with those of the family and the public. The juvenile probation officer shall be responsible for making informed decisions and recommendations to other agencies, the state attorney, and the courts so that the child and family may receive the least intrusive service alternative throughout the judicial process. § 985.14(2), Fla. Stat. (2007) (emphasis supplied). For E.A.R.  and all juvenile offenders in Florida who face a delinquency petition and the anticipated prospect of custodial commitment  intake is the beginning of the process that ultimately produces the DJJ's predisposition report (PDR), in which the DJJ issues a professional recommendation for an appropriate disposition to the relevant circuit court. [11] As section 985.14(3)(a), Florida Statutes (2007), states: [Intake] shall begin with [1] the detention risk assessment instrument and decision, [ [12] ] [and] shall include [2] the intake preliminary screening and comprehensive assessment [ [13] ] for substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, retardation services, literacy services, and other educational and treatment services as components, additional assessment of the child's treatment needs, and classification regarding the child's risks to the community .... The completed multidisciplinary assessment process shall result in [3] the predisposition report. (Emphasis supplied.) To reach this professional disposition recommendation, [t]he intake process and case management system ... provide a comprehensive approach to assessing the child's needs, relative risks, and most appropriate handling, ... based on an individualized treatment plan.  § 985.14(4), Fla. Stat. (2007) (emphasis supplied). The treatment plan should provide the setting most appropriate to meet the child's programmatic needs and provide the minimum program security needed to ensure public safety.  § 985.14(3)(c), Fla. Stat. (2007) (emphasis supplied); see also § 985.43(1)(a), Fla. Stat. (2007) (substantially similar). The DJJ must provide a comprehensive evaluation and PDR concerning any child for whom a residential [i.e., custodial] commitment disposition is anticipated or recommended by an officer of the court or by the [DJJ]. § 985.185(1), Fla. Stat. (2007); see § 985.43(1)(a)-(b), Fla. Stat. (2007). The juvenile probation officer assigned to manage the child's case is responsible for coordinating the multidisciplinary assessment and producing the PDR. See § 985.145(1)(f), Fla. Stat. (2007). Based on (1) E.A.R.'s current felony offense, (2) his prior offenses, (3) his previous failure to appear for a court hearing, (4) his habitual truancy, (5) his status as a runaway, (6) his purported involvement as a gang member or associate, and (7) his then-current use of marijuana and alcohol, a DJJ probation officer recommended that he face a judicial delinquency petition, [14] and corresponding adjudicatory hearing, rather than a nonjudicial resolution such as juvenile diversion or probation. The probation officer further recommended that E.A.R. remain in secure detention pending his adjudication and disposition. The State Attorney's Office supported these recommendations. The juvenile court entered a detention order on January 31, 2007, and a later detention-status order on February 9, 2007, approving the DJJ and State Attorney's recommendation that E.A.R. be held in secure detention pending disposition. Also on January 31, 2007, the State filed a two-count delinquency petition alleging that E.A.R. uttered a forged instrument (count I) and committed grand theft of goods in excess of $300 but less than $5,000 (count II). [15] On February 9, 2007, E.A.R. pled guilty to uttering a forged instrument, and the State nolle prosequied the grand-theft charge. While in secure detention, the DJJ compiled E.A.R.'s comprehensive assessment and PDR. The comprehensive assessment and PDR revealed:  E.A.R.'s birth mother placed him in a mental institution at age 3, and he has been in and out of the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) ever since;  At age 5, E.A.R. began a series of placements in foster homes. At age 7, his birth mother requested custody, and he lived with her and his stepfather for approximately one year. E.A.R.'s stepfather was very violent and abusive during this time. E.A.R. was physically and sexually abused, and later returned to DCF custody;  At age 13, E.A.R. went to reside with his biological father in Texas. His biological father introduced him to illegal drugs. E.A.R. was removed from his father's custody and sent back to DCF in Florida;  E.A.R. ran away from foster care with a friend in December 2005;  During September of 2006, an adult female benefactor became E.A.R.'s legal guardian after her minor daughter introduced her to E.A.R. and explained that he was homeless;  E.A.R. admitted to a history of DJJ involvement;  E.A.R. admitted to a history of truancy, running away, and violating curfew;  E.A.R.'s guardian discovered drug paraphernalia in E.A.R.'s room;  In the guardian's home, [t]here [wa]s verbal intimidation, yelling, and heated arguments between family members;  E.A.R.'s probation officer reported [that his] longest period without `acting out' was 1 year, and he is a `good kid' but has developed a `living on the run mentality,' continuing to prefer to steal what he needs, and he will eventually `shut out' people [whom] he can trust;  E.A.R. had previously threatened his guardian in a physical manner and demanded that she provide him with money;  E.A.R. disclosed that he was a former gang associate or member;  The guardian reported that E.A.R. was previously a member of the Cripps [16] gang in Broward County, and that this organization used E.A.R. to sell and distribute drugs, but she believes that E.A.R. has cut his ties with this group;  E.A.R. also self-identified as a founder and member of a gang or group called Crazy White Boys (CWB);  E.A.R.'s MySpace.com webpage allegedly contained gang-related information, but neither the probation officer nor the guardian actually viewed the website first-hand;  E.A.R.'s probation officer believes that E.A.R. is a gang member because he is often in possession of a blue and white bandana;  E.A.R. has worked at several fast-food restaurants, but has not held any position for a very long period of time;  E.A.R. admitted to being a runaway, and to drinking beer and smoking marijuana since age 13;  E.A.R. stated that he is addicted to cigarettes and nicotine;  E.A.R. was psychologically evaluated on February 14, 2007, and exhibited symptoms consistent with depression;  E.A.R. experiences chronic headaches, perhaps as the result of nicotine withdrawal. He was previously prescribed low dosages of Adderall, [17] Wellbutrin, [18] and Risperdal; [19]  E.A.R. had been somewhat compliant during his juvenile probation, and he was courteous and cooperative during his interaction with law-enforcement and DJJ personnel;  E.A.R. admitted to having physically fought with others;  E.A.R. has not displayed empathy for his victims;  E.A.R. has not been previously confined in a residential-commitment program;  There are reports/evidence of violent outbursts, displays of temper, and uncontrolled anger indicating potential for harm not included in [E.A.R.'s] criminal history. The comprehensive assessment concluded by stating: Available records, [E.A.R.'s] self-report, collateral information, and this objective assessment indicated [that he] presents ... a risk of danger to himself or others. [He] is also likely a risk for violence and aggression based upon empirical data.... Collateral information indicated [that] he ha[s] an extensive criminal history since 2003.... He is likely at risk for recidivism.... Given his extensive history of criminal acts and associated past intervention failures, his history of absconding, his high risk to [reoffend], and possible ineffective parental management, it is recommended that he be placed in a structured and well-supervised secure facility. Discharge planning should incorporate ongoing therapeutic services. The assessment further recommended that E.A.R. receive mental-health and substance-abuse treatment during his residential commitment. The PDR stated that E.A.R.'s treatment should address his disruptive behaviors, such as attendance in an anti-theft course, education on appropriate coping skills, and instruction on how to avoid deviant behavior and peers. Consequently, the PDR specifically recommended a moderate-risk residential commitment pursuant to section 985.03(44)(c), Florida Statutes (2007), which states: Programs or program models at this commitment level are residential but may allow youth to have supervised access to the community. Facilities are either environmentally secure, staff secure, or are hardware-secure with walls, fencing, or locking doors. Facilities shall provide 24-hour awake supervision, custody, care, and treatment of residents. Youth assessed and classified for placement in programs at this commitment level represent a moderate risk to public safety and require close supervision. The staff at a facility at this commitment level may seclude a child who is a physical threat to himself or herself or others. Mechanical restraint may also be used when necessary. (Emphasis supplied.)