Studies | Juvenile Justice • The Caruthers Institute

Solution to arrests for common youth misbehavior: Prearrest diversions called “juvenile civil citations”

Florida leads the nation in the solution to effectively address common youth misbehavior called “juvenile prearrest diversion civil citations,” an alternative to arrests that increases public safety, improves youth outcomes and saves taxpayer money.

The Caruthers Institute conducts Florida’s most important annual study on the issue called “Stepping Up: Florida’s Top Prearrest Diversion Efforts.” The study is authored by Dewey Caruthers who is a national expert on the topic. To date in Florida, the Institute has conducted six statewide studies and nearly 300 county reports. Additionally, the Institute has conducted studies in other states on the topic. Studies are supported by national and state juvenile justice and children’s organizations that are identified in each report.