J.W. v. State

A juvenile appeals a disposition order in which the trial court departed from the recommendation of the Department of Juvenile Justice [DJJ] for continued probation and instead committed him to a high risk residential sex offender program. He raises two issues. First, he argues the trial court erred in departing from DJJ’s recommendation without articulating sufficient reasons why. Second, he argues the court erred in imposing a special condition that the juvenile not have contact with anyone 16 or under unless accompanied by an adult with knowledge. We agree with both arguments and reverse…