The Umansky Law Firm

Everyone makes mistakes, and children are no exception. When your child makes a mistake as serious as breaking the law, whether a felony or misdemeanor, it is important that you find an experienced juvenile crime defense attorney to fight your case and try to get the lightest punishment possible for your child. Offenses committed in our youth can stay with us for a very long time and wreak havoc on our future success. Here is some interesting information about juvenile crime in the state of Florida.

Florida's population of 10 to 17-year-olds increased by 9% between 2002 and 2006, putting the population of that age group in the state at 1.9 million. But Florida’s juvenile crime rate is down from 87 delinquency referrals per 1,000 youths during 2002-2003 to 77 referrals during 2006-2007. During 2006-2007, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice handled 146,765 delinquency referrals, and during the same year, judges committed 7,187 juvenile offenders to residential delinquent treatment facilities; during 2003-03 the number of youths committed was over 9,000. Not surprisingly, juvenile crime, including violent offenses, peaks between 3-6 p.m. (when school lets out).

Violent Crime Statistics

Despite an overall decline in delinquency, serious juvenile offenses in Florida have increased over the last two years. During 2006-07, the Department received 48,471 felony referrals, up 4% from 46,363 felony referrals received during 2004-05.

Murder/Manslaughter referrals increased 70%, from 73 during 2002-2003 to 124 during 2006-07.
Attempted Murder/Attempted Manslaughter referrals increased 130%, from 36 during 2002-2003 to 83 during 2006-07.
Auto Theft referrals decreased 6%, from 3,304 during 2002-03 to 3,107 in 2006-07.
Burglary referrals decreased 6%, from 14,214 during 2002-03 to 13,396 during 2006-07.
Aggravated Assault and Battery increased slightly from 9,810 during 2002-03 to 9,869 during 2006-07.
Armed Robbery referrals increased 67%, from 800 during 2002-03 to 1,337 during 2006-07.

If your child has been charged with a felony or misdemeanor in Orlando or anywhere in Florida, please contact the Umansky Law Firm today to schedule your initial consultation.