Florida Group Includes Civil Issues In New Juvenile Legal Aid

A Florida group funding increased legal assistance for juveniles has extended that aid beyond law enforcement issues to help deal with family courts, citations and other civil matters, according to an Associated Press report. The move is significant because many legal aid efforts are more or less exclusive to criminal courts.

Organizers say the approach will prevent some juveniles from ever entering the foster care system and improve representation for those already in the system. They also note that help with citations will reduce the number of young people who enter the justice system.

See more on the story via Gainsville.com here.