Some Jacksonville advocates want to help teens avoid a lifetime label. That’s why they’re supporting Florida legislation that would keep juvenile arrest records confidential.
Even if a teen is exonerated after an arrest, just being arrested can often label a kid as “trouble" for the rest of their lives.
Since many employment and college applications require disclosing an arrest, it can be difficult, if not impossible, for a juvenile with an arrest record to find and keep a job, enroll in college, obtain scholarships, enlist in the military, get housing and more.
Roy Miller, President of the Tallahassee-based Children’s Campaign, is partnering with the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center on the juvenile arrest campaign and legislation being introduced this session in Tallahassee.
Miller said, "You’ve got tens of thousands of kids who are being affected by this, and we’re on a mission over the next two years to do something about it."
To hear Melissa Ross' entire interview with Roy Miller listen to today's episode of First Coast Connect on our website or subscribe to the First Coast Connect podcast in iTunes.
You can follow Melissa Ross on Twitter @MelissainJax
