J.H. v. State

LaROSE, Judge.

The trial court adjudicated J.H. delinquent. On appeal, J.H. challenges his placement in a high-risk facility, rather than in the moderate-risk facility recommended by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). We affirm the adjudication of delinquency without further discussion. We reverse the high-risk placement and remand for a new disposition hearing because the trial court departed from the DJJ recommendation without adequate justification.

The trial court found J.H. guilty of burglary of a dwelling and grand theft. The *1238DJJ recommended a moderate-risk placement; the State…