Reprinted from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

By Nancy L. Othon
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

December 6, 2006

Juvenile Court to Reconsider Shackles

Palm Beach County's juvenile court judges have been asked once again to end the practice of shackling juveniles during court appearances.

This time, it appears they will have to make a decision after the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled Friday that the judges had no authority to order mediation.

Last month, the Public Defender's Office appealed a ruling from the county's four juvenile court judges that ordered representatives from the Public Defender's and State Attorney's offices, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office to mediate.

Public Defender Carey Haughwout said the practice of shackling every juvenile in delinquency matters is psychologically harmful to children.

Haughwout said a new motion was filed Monday and she hopes the judges will rule this time and not dodge the issue. She said she was pleased to hear that Gov.-elect Charlie Crist on Friday told The Associated Press that he favors "case-by-case" determinations. Broward and Miami-Dade have gone that route, ending blanket policies.

The use of mechanical restraints on juveniles will be discussed this week at the Florida Bar Board of Governors meeting in Key Biscayne and it is expected to be debated by the Florida Legislature next year.

The juvenile court judges in Palm Beach County said their security concerns were not sufficiently addressed when the Public Defender's Office argued that the blanket policy should be abolished during a hearing in October.