J.W.M. v. State

J.W.M., a child, appeals from his adjudication of delinquency and commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Because the trial court failed to provide adequate reasons for its departure from the restrictiveness level in the Department’s commitment recommendation, we reverse.

Section 985.23(3)(c), Florida Statutes (2004), governs the commitment of this child. This statute provides:

The court shall commit the child to the department at the restrictiveness level identified or may order placement at a different restrictiveness level. The court shall state for the record the reasons which…