(Practice Aids)
All too often our child clients are considered by the court to be “absconders” when in reality they’re not. Often DJJ fails to maintain contact with the child just because he is staying with a different family member. Sometimes our kids are simply staying out late and violating curfew. However, if they’re not actively attempting to conceal themselves from DJJ they shouldn’t be treated as absconders.Abscond (ab-skond), vb. 1. To depart secretly or suddenly, esp. to avoid arrest, prosecution, or service of process. 2. To leave a place, usu. hurriedly, with another’s money or property. – abscondence , n.
Black’s Law Dictionary (8th ed. 2004)
And finally a good case. See Z.B v. Department of Juvenile Justice, 938 So.2d 584 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006). See also the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Probation and Community Corrections manual, Chapter 6 Probation pages 6-28 and 6-29.
