Juvenile Arrest & Admission Process

The Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) is a centralized processing, referral and evaluation center for all juveniles arrested in Miami-Dade County. The center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To determine if your child has been arrested, please contact 305-755-6130.

Juvenile arrest information is secure and confidential.
 

Arrest Process

The law enforcement officer(s) safely and securely transport the individual to the JAC.
 

• Upon arrival, the officer and arrested youth meet with staff to conduct an intake, screening, and admissions process.
• The minor is asked if he or she is in a state of immediate crisis, has any complaint of pain or injury, or if he or she has a medical condition which needs immediate attention.
• If the juvenile has any injury or complaint of injury, or require crisis stabilization, the arresting officer must seek and ensure that the appropriate level of emergency health care or first aid is provided. Once appropriate clearances are obtained, the youth is admitted to the facility.

Admissions Process

• All youth are searched for weapons and contraband. In addition, all personal property, e.g., jewelry, book bags, pens, pencils, etc., are removed and placed into a safe and secured storage.
• The law enforcement officer provides the arrest information to staff to place into the youth's permanent record.
• Family members are immediately notified by phone about the youth's arrest.
• Youths are fingerprinted, photographed and go through a positive identification process.
• The entire process may take up to six hours depending on the severity of charge, the number of youth in custody, and 24-hour detention hearing court calendar mandates.
• The admission process identifies status, risk to re-offend, substance abuse and mental health and other personal needs and issues. Referrals are made to community based programs that are designed to meet the youth's individual needs based on the outcome of an evidence-based assessment.
• When processing is completed, the youth is released based on the outcome of the risk assessment instrument to their parents, legal guardian, responsible adult, shelter or placed in detention. If the youth meets the criteria for secure detention, they will be transferred to the Miami-Dade Department of Juvenile Justice Detention Center pending a 24-hour detention hearing.
• If the youth is not transferred to secure detention, a notice to appear in court at a later date will be provided at the time of release from the JAC.

Young Offenders Process (YOP)
 

The Young Offenders Process (YOP) is for minors arrested under 12 years of age.

The type of services received will be based on the minor and family interview, arrest charge and school records. The minor will receive an assessment to determine their mental health and social well-being.
 

Services include referrals for:
 

• Psycho-educational groups
• Substance abuse counseling
• Individual and family counseling
• Community service
• Case management
• Monitoring educational goals
  

The family receives case management services for approximately 3-6 months.