Fort Lauderdale Criminal Attorney Blog
The phone call no parent ever wants to receive. Your child has been arrested. Your mind races. You don’t know what to do first — call someone, drive somewhere, stay calm for your other kids, or simply take a moment to try to breathe.
Whatever you’re feeling right now — fear, confusion, anger, heartbreak — it’s valid. This is one of the hardest moments a family can face. But here’s what I want you to know before anything else: your child’s future is not defined by what happened today. The juvenile justice system in Florida exists, at least in theory, with rehabilitation in mind, not punishment. And with the right guidance, many young people who make serious mistakes go on to lead successful, fulfilling lives.
As a Fort Lauderdale juvenile criminal defense lawyer, I’ve walked many families through exactly this process. This guide is for you — the parent who just got that call and needs real, honest, plain-language information about what comes next in Broward County.
What Is the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC)?
When a juvenile is arrested in Broward County, they are not typically taken to a standard adult jail or booking facility. Instead, they are transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center, located at 3029 SW 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The JAC is the entry point for every juvenile who comes into contact with the Broward County juvenile justice system.
The JAC is a collaborative, multi-agency facility. Under Florida law, specifically Chapter 985, Florida Statutes — the Juvenile Justice Code — the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is responsible for receiving and processing arrested juveniles, assessing their needs, and determining an appropriate next step. The JAC is where that process begins.
Understanding what happens at the JAC, step by step, can help you stay calm, act strategically, and protect your child’s rights from the very first moment.
Step 1: Intake at the JAC
When law enforcement brings your child to the JAC, the intake process begins. Officers will transfer custody to JAC staff, and your child will be:
- Fingerprinted and photographed — yes, even as a juvenile
- Searched and have personal property inventoried
- Medically screened for any physical or mental health needs
- Assessed using a standardized risk and needs screening tool
This intake process is governed by § 985.14, Fla. Stat., which requires the DJJ to screen each child taken into custody to assess risk to public safety and the child’s needs for services.
What you should do right now: Try to locate your child. Call the JAC directly at (954) 357-5300. Staff can confirm whether your child is there and provide basic information. Do not wait to make that call — knowing your child’s whereabouts and status is step one.
Step 2: The Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI)
One of the most consequential things that happens at the JAC is the completion of the Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI), a standardized scoring tool used statewide under § 985.245, Fla. Stat. The RAI evaluates factors including: Continue reading
