Juvenile Drug Possession

[ring]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: florida
My 14 year old son was caught on school campus in possesion of marijauna and admitted to buying it on campus. He was not arrested however three weeks after the incident we recieved a letter from the juvenile justice department for an intake interview,what exactly does that mean?

[Mr. Knowitall]

It means that he's facing criminal charges for possession of marijuana on campus, in juvenile court.

[ring]

can he be arrested weeks after the fact?

[free9man]

They have until the statute of limitations for the charge expires to act on it. So yes, he can be charged 3 weeks after the fact. The police most likely had to do a report and forward to juvenile court. The JC reviewed the case to determine if they would pursue it. They chose to pursue it, did whatever paperwork they needed to do, and then notified his legal guardians of the intake interview. The system can occasionally take a bit of time to work through the processes. If he had been caught anywhere besides school with it, he probably would have gotten a slap on the wrist. He may still get a slap on the wrist, it's just going to be a little harder.

[BOR]

can he be arrested weeks after the fact?

If the Rules of Juvenile procedure allow for an arrest on such a minor charge, yes, he can be, otherwise he will be Summoned/Cited somehow. What exactly is an intake interview?

[ring]

not sure what an intake interview is but we are to meet with a probation officer although he is not on probation (and has never been charged) show school records and the officer interviews him and then decides from there what happens next...court, probation,couseling ect.

[free9man]

What exactly is an intake interview?

Guardians, juvenile and Juvenile Probation Officer have a sit down to discuss the case. Based on the interview, the JPO makes a recommendation to the DA on how to handle the case.

[BOR]

not sure what an intake interview is but we are to meet with a probation officer although he is not on probation (and has never been charged) show school records and the officer interviews him and then decides from there what happens next...court, probation,couseling ect.

As Freeman points out, it is probably a determination of "how to proceed" instead of an outright charge being filed.

This is a good system.

[ring]

As Freeman points out, it is probably a determination of "how to proceed" instead of an outright charge being filed.

This is a good system.

so does he stand a better chance of not being arrested by going through the intake interview?

[free9man]

so does he stand a better chance of not being arrested by going through the intake interview?

The JPO conducting the intake interview has 2 choices initially. One is non-judicial intervention, think of it as probation without the criminal record. There will likely be some fees involved, community service, etc... The other is, obviously, judicial intervention which would require your son be formally charged and have to appear in court.

If he doesn't show, the JPO will simply write "court intervention" on their paperwork and move on. Then a warrant may be issued or you may simply get a summons to appear in court.