A.J. v. State

A.J., a juvenile, appeals the trial court’s ruling committing her to a high-risk resi*529dential program.1 A.J. contends that the trial court abused its discretion by departing from the Department of Juvenile Justice’s recommendation that she be returned to a moderate-risk residential program.2 A.J. argues that the trial court’s reasons for departure were neither supported by a preponderance of the evidence nor related to A.J.’s specific needs. We disagree and affirm.

On 24 April 2001, A.J. had a verbal altercation with her brother. A.J. called the police and stated to the dispatcher, “If you…