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T <br />F <br />ti 9p�fpsr Ig.9 <br />CHIEF CP <br />U JUDGE N t Slltbmal ([irmft • ° �• ' y ti 468 <br />July 26, 1996 VERO BEACH. FL 32" <br />PHONE (407) 770-5050 <br />(407) 468-1460 <br />MEMORANDUM 96-171 <br />TO: Jim Chandler, Indian River County Administrator <br />Charles Vitunac, Indian River County Attorney <br />Honorable Jeffrey K Barton, Clerk of Courts <br />Peter Cheney, Martin County Administrator <br />Robert Guthrie, Martin .County Attorney <br />Honorable Marsha Stiller, Clerk of Courts <br />George Long, Okeechobee County Administrator <br />John D. Cassells, Okeechobee County Attorney <br />Laura McCall, Okeechobee County Attorney <br />Honorable Sharon Robertson, Clerk of Courts <br />FROM: Chief Judge L.B. Vocelle <br />RE: — Teen Court Ordinance <br />This past session the Florida Legislature passed Section 775.0833 allowing counties to adopt a <br />$3.00 assessment on violations of state criminal statutes, municipal and county ordinances and any <br />violation of Florida Chapter 316 in order to fund and operate Teen Court. Five percent (5%) of all <br />monies collected by the Clerk shall be retained by the Clerk as fee income, <br />As Chief Judge, I am requesting each county adopt an ordinance assessing the $3.00 in order <br />to fund Teen Court in all of the counties of our Circuit. I have attached a sample ordinance for your <br />consideration. St. Lucie County has already drafted an ordinance and has scheduled a public comment <br />date. <br />I feel Teen Court is an invaluable tool for both teaching juveniles about court and crime, plus <br />a tremendous diversionary program for first time juvenile misdemeanants. <br />Both myself and Court Administrator Tom Willis or Alternative Sanctions Coordinator Mark <br />Godwin will be happy to address your commissioners concerning this matter. <br />Judge L. B. Vocelle reviewed the program and advised that the <br />Florida Legislature has adopted legislation allowing County <br />Commissioners to authorize a $3.00 charge to be used to establish <br />a Teen Court. St Lucie County adopted an ordinance and they are <br />now asking Martin, Okeechobee and Indian River Counties to adopt a <br />similar ordinance. Judge Vocelle introduced Mark Godwin, the <br />deputy court administrator from St. Lucie County, and Judge Dan <br />Vaughn, County Judge from St. Lucie County. Judge Vocelle advised <br />that Judge Vaughn has been appointed chief judge to coordinate the <br />Teen Court, which he believes will be a most valuable tool plus a <br />tremendous diversionary program for juvenile delinquents. He spoke <br />with Roger Deering, Superintendent of Schools, who indicated he was <br />very much in favor of the program. <br />AUGUST 13, 1996 35 F"'' 778 <br />