D.R.B. v. State

D.R.B., Jr., a child, appeals from his adjudication of delinquency and commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Because the trial court erred in departing from the Department’s commitment recommendation, we reverse.

A trial court’s decision to depart from the Department’s commitment recommendation for reasons not considered by the Department must be supported by competent, substantial record evidence, and the trial court’s reasons* must reference the characteristics' of the restrictiveness level in relation to the needs of the child. A.C.N. v. State, 727 So.2d 368, 370 (Fla. 1st DCA…