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Civil Citation


What is Civil Citation?
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice began the Civil Citation initiative as an effort to give first-time juvenile misdemeanor offenders the opportunity to participate in intervention services at the earliest stage of delinquency. In Seminole County, the Civil Citation program incorporates all county law enforcement agencies, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities, Prosecution Alternatives for Youth, and the Office of the State Attorney. An eligible offending youth is immediately given sanctions, and if successfully completed, their record of arrest is sealed.

All juveniles referred to the PAY program are required to attend an orientation. If the juvenile and his/her parents/guardian accept P.A.Y. services the case will be referred to one of several programs within P.A.Y.: Teen Court, a judiciary format where most of the participants are teens; or the Juvenile Alternatives Services Program (JASP) a service which addresses more involved cases (felonies) and can include counseling and/or drug assessment. The P.A.Y. office makes the final determination regarding the program to which the case will be assigned.

After the case is heard, guilt is determined, additional sanctions will be issued based upon the infraction. Sanctions vary with each case but are usually one or more of these:
  • Community Service Work
  • Restitution
  • Law Awareness Class
  • Drug Awareness Class
  • Domestic Violence Class
  • Counseling
  • Letters/Essays

Who is eligible for Civil Citation?
Some juveniles who have committed their first misdemeanor offense will be eligible for a Civil Citation with the exception of:
  • Any misdemeanor that involves the use of possession of a firearm;
  • Any misdemeanor that involves the exposure of sexual organs or other sexual related behavior, i.e. prostitution, lewd and lascivious behavior.
  • Any misdemeanor that is directly related to, or a part of, gang activity;
  • Any misdemeanor that involves fire setting;
  • Any misdemeanor that involves animal cruelty;
  • Eligible juveniles must take responsibility for the offense and agree to participate in the Seminole County Civil Citation process.
  • The issuance of a civil citation is at the discretion of law enforcement.

What are the benefits of Civil Citation?
The first- time offender juvenile does not proceed through a long prosecution process. The juvenile is screened for alcohol/substance abuse and mental health issues at the Juvenile Assessment Center. The juvenile is immediately given sanctions and objectives that are effective as soon as they are released from the Juvenile Assessment Center. The juvenile does not have a criminal record if all sanctions and objectives are complete

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Seminole County Sheriff's Office
100 Eslinger Way
Sanford, Florida 32773
Phone: (407) 665-6650