Judges: Robert A. Butterworth Attorney General
Filed Date: 9/12/1991
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 4/17/2021
Stephen A. Melnick Legal Advisor Boca Raton Police Department
QUESTION:
Does s.
SUMMARY:
Section
During the 1991 session, the Legislature created general guidelines for the release of individuals who are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Section
(9) A person who is arrested for a violation of this section may not be released from custody: (a) Until he is no longer under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s.
877.111 , or any substance controlled under chapter 893 and affected to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired; (b) Until his blood alcohol level is less than 0.05 percent; or (c) Until 8 hours have elapsed from the time he was arrested. (e.s.)
Delaying the release of an individual who has been arrested for DUI for eight hours is one alternative in releasing such an individual from custody.1 "Custody" is not defined for purposes of this act. Given its plain and ordinary meaning, however, custody refers to "[t]he care and control of a thing or person. . . . [or] the detainer of a man's person by virtue of lawful process or authority."2
In AGO 86-37, this office concluded that the county court, as the court having original jurisdiction over traffic violations, is authorized to exercise jurisdiction over juveniles charged with driving under the influence, unless the offense is punishable by law as a felony.3 As recognized in the opinion, s.
A court which has jurisdiction over traffic violations shall have original jurisdiction in the case of any minor who is alleged to have committed a violation of law or of a county or municipal ordinance pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle; however, any traffic offense that is punishable by law as a felony shall be under the jurisdiction of the circuit court.
In the event a juvenile is taken into custody for a criminal traffic offense and the juvenile does not demand to be taken before a magistrate, the arresting officer or booking officer is required immediately to notify the juvenile's parents, guardian, or responsible adult relative of the action taken.4 After making every reasonable effort to give notice, the officer may:
(a) Issue a notice to appear pursuant to chapter 901 and release the minor to a parent, guardian, responsible adult relative, or other responsible adult; (b) Issue a notice to appear pursuant to chapter 901 and release a minor pursuant to s.
If action is not taken pursuant to paragraphs (a)-(d), the minor shall be delivered to the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, and the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the parents, guardian, or responsible adult relative to take custody of the minor. If there is no parent, guardian, or responsible adult relative available, the department may retain custody of the minor for up to 24 hours.5
Thus, the Legislature has provided that courts with jurisdiction over traffic violations have jurisdiction in the case of a minor alleged to have committed a violation of law pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle.6 Accordingly, a minor who is charged with driving under the influence7 would be under the jurisdiction of the county court, unless the offense is punishable as a felony, in which case the proceeding would be transferred to the circuit court.8
Section
Section 39.038(5), F.S. (1990 Supp.), states:
Upon taking a child into custody, a law enforcement officer may deliver the child, for temporary custody not to exceed 6hours, to a secure booking area of a jail or other facility intended or used for the detention of adults, for the purpose of fingerprinting or photographing the child or awaiting appropriate transport to the department of as provided in subsection (4), provided no regular sight and sound contact between the child and adult inmates or trustees is permitted and the receiving facility has adequate staff to supervise and monitor the child's activities at all times. (e.s.)
Thus, there is a six hour limitation on the temporary custody of children at a jail or facility intended for the detention of adults. You state that the limitation on temporary custody in an adult facility is in compliance with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.10 The restriction appears to serve the purpose of preventing contact between juveniles and adults at an adult detention facility. There is no indication, however, that the six hour limitation operates to require the release of juveniles who are in custody after six hours have expired.
When juveniles are taken into custody, it is intended that they be maintained separately from adults.11 Section 39.038(5), F.S. (1990 Supp.), secures this separation in the event a juvenile is taken to an adult detention facility. This limitation on the custody of a juvenile in an adult detention facility may by given effect without infringing on the specific requirements regarding custody of juveniles in s.
Accordingly, it is my opinion that s.
Furthermore, s. 39.038(5), F.S. (1990 Supp.), may be given effect without conflicting with the custodial options contained in s.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Butterworth Attorney General
RAB/tls