North Florida lawmakers are holding a community meeting on juvenile justice in Jacksonville.
State Senator Audrey Gibson and Representatives Mia Jones and Reggie Fullwood convened the town hall, which is billed as an event to "Save Our Youth: Civil Citations In And Out of School."
The lawmakers are advocating for the increased use of civil citations for first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders.
Studies show this approach to juvenile justice can reduce the flow of students to the so-called "school-to-prison pipeline."
"We encourage our State Attorney's Office to look at this approach and work with us," says Gibson.
The town hall is scheduled for Thursday, September 12th at 6:00pm at Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus.
Panelists include Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, among others involved in education and criminal justice.
