A.R. v. State

A.R., a juvenile, appeals his commitment, arguing that proper procedures were not followed in the commitment’s imposition. We reverse.

A.R. pleaded guilty to petit theft. He committed this crime on February 25, 1997,1 in Duval County, when he shoplifted candy and cigars from a Winn-Dixie store. The trial judge adjudicated A.R. delinquent, sentenced him to low-risk commitment for sixty days, and recommended a STEP camp for boys. The judge explained that he was rejecting the “community control” recommendation of the Department of Juvenile Justice (department) because A.R. previously stole from…