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Juveniles Tried as Adults
Dear Friend:
Miami-Dade County leads the state and is among the nation's leader in the number of teenagers direct filed to adult court. Many of these youths have committed serious felony offenses, and the prosecutor has the power to decide whether a juvenile is to be transferred. Once transferred, these young people are held in adult jails, tried in adult court and may receive adult sentences such as probation or prison. However, studies show that juveniles handled in the adult system are much more likely to re-offend than those handled in the juvenile system.
Our citizens need to be aware of the implications of this important public policy debate. Toward that end, the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board (CRB) will convene a public forum, "Direct File: Juveniles Tried as Adults," during National Law Week.
| When: Friday, May 3, 2002, 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. |
| Where: Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 NW 1st St. Board of County Commission Chambers |
The panel will include a prosecutor, public defender, juvenile court judge, and policy analyst. Students from Miami High School's Law Magnet program will be in the audience. A question and answer period will follow. As Chair of the CRB Forums Committee, I will serve as moderator.
A flyer announcing the event is on the opposite side of this letter. Please feel free to copy and distribute it widely in your community. If you have any additional questions or comments, please call the Office of Community Relations staff members Amy Carswell or Femi Browne at (305)375-5730.
You may also email me at xavier@cortada.com or call me at (305) 858-1323. I look forward to seeing you at this important event.
Sincerely,
Xavier Cortada, Esq., Chair CRB Forums Committee