End troubling record of arresting children for minor offenses

Public Defender Robert Wesley speaking

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, my office held a press conference to discuss the troubling record of arrests of juveniles for minor offenses in the Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola counties. We have more arrests of juveniles – including the 5- to 10-year-old category – than elsewhere in Florida.

During that meeting I also explained that a civil citation is the best way to address these minor offenses and reminded everyone that starting Oct. 1 police will be required to issue civil citations to children, or to justify in writing why a child should be arrested.

Here’s news media coverage of that meeting.

Orlando Sentinel

WFTV

Central Florida News 13