#17 - Breaking Down the Juvenile Justice Systems in Florida, Podcast Part I

SUMMARY This episode of From Foster Care to Family Law – A Child Welfare Focus features Chris Seagrist, a Reform Specialist for the Department of Juvenile Justice. Chris gives a detailed explanation of the Juvenile Justice System and what the kids who get thrown into that system go through. Susan and Chris also talk about the causes of children being arrested and alternatives to them being prosecuted. They talk about the problems with child neglect that can cause kids to become delinquents. They also discuss how racism in America’s justice and law enforcement systems effects kids and the lives they lead. —————————— HIGHLIGHTS [00:59.87] Family Law Attorney Susan Chesnutt introduces Chris Seagrist her guest for this podcast. [01:25.29] Chris Seagrist tells us a little bit about himself and his background in criminal justice and his current role with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. [9:42.22] Chris Seagrist explains the different terminology that is used for juvenile infractions vs adult crimes. [15:13.16] How family life can impact kids that get into trouble. [25:18.37] Chris explains the “Rational Choice Theory” and how it is applied to adults and kids. [28:15.22] How are disadvantaged kids impacted when they get in trouble? [35:22.01] What are the criteria for determining if a child is taken into detention? —————————— QUOTES 3:18 “They (DJJ) have maybe 4% recidivism rate, which means a kid successfully completing the program. We’ll only re-offend 4% of the time. So that’s 96% success rate” 13:56 “Let’s say one of our kids gets assaulted or battered by another youth. We want to see justice, but that doesn’t necessarily have to mean arrest and program.” 18:30 “And I have explained to them, and I feel like I’m doing them (Her kids) a disservice, because I don’t want to tell them that by the way, this is a crime and you should call 911 on each other. But I have to tell them. Hey guys, you guys can’t hit each other because you literally could get charged with a crime” 29:11 “33, I think, percent of black men in Florida are a convicted felons or past convicted felons. They’ve been in touch with the criminal justice system that they’re going to have hard opportunities finding jobs, and the sad part about that is there’s still no evidence.” 38:00 “And everyone has to get an okay from mental health to step them down the ladder until they’re just normal youth in the facility.” —————————— RESOURCES Chris Seagrist – Phone: (772)-429-2121 Email: [email protected] Florida Department of Juvenile Justice: http://www.djj.state.fl.us/ Florida Department of Corrections: http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ Substance Abuse Awareness Center of Indian River County: https://sacirc.org/ https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/ https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/dcf-investigations-lawyer/ https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/criminal-law/