Direct File of Juveniles in Escambia County, Part I

On average, fewer than 20 juveniles per year are sent to Escambia County's Jail (from staff records request)

Tomorrow at the regular Board of County Commissioner's meeting, we have been asked to consider supporting a proclamation advocating an end to the practice of "Direct Filing" in Escambia County.

Direct Filing occurs when the State Attorney decides that a crime committed by a juvenile rises to the level that the perpetrator should  be sent directly to the adult criminal justice system.

There are guidelines that outline the type (s) of crime committed, along with the age of the perpetrator, that lead to a direct file to the adult system.

Some local civil rights/criminal justice activists believe the County Commission should send a proclamation to the legislature urging an end to this practice.

I have received multiple form-letter emails like this one:

"February 14, 2018

Jeff Bergosh

Escambia County Commissioner, District 1 FL

 Jeff Bergosh:

I am writing to thank you for considering a resolution that would affirm the county's support of treating children as children and keeping them out of the adult criminal justice system whenever possible. On Feb. 8th,  the Pensacola City Council voted "YES" to passing important reform to make our juvenile justice system more equitable, and I'm asking that you do the same on Feb. 15th.

Please follow the Pensacola City Councils’s lead and vote to end direct file.  Unlike the adult system, the juvenile justice system is designed to rehabilitate, and children are required to receive education services and remain close to their families. Children who remain in the juvenile court system are less likely to re-offend in the future, which keeps our communities safer and results in better outcomes for our youth. But it is bad for public safety and children's well-being to confine youth in adult jails, where they are far more likely to be physically and sexually assaulted or to commit suicide.

Our judicial district transfers more children to adult courts than any other in the state. It's time to make a change.

I hope you will vote "YES" on Feb. 15th on a direct-file resolution and support safer communities and better protections for our children.

Sincerely,

XXXXX  XXXXXXX"

Since this is coming tomorrow, I have spent some time looking into the issue and asking questions and I look forward to discussing this issue tomorrow with my peers.