Tuesday, January 4, 2000
N.W., a child v. State of Florida

No. 95,882

Place of Origin
Pinellas County

Facts
N.W., a minor, was charged with a misdemeanor offense related to disrupting a school function by engaging in a fistfight. He admitted guilt and was sentenced to abide by home rules and curfew, to attend school, and to write an apology. The trial court withheld an adjudication of guilt. Nearly a year later, N.W. violated these conditions and was ordered to undergo further punishment. His attorneys argued that, under Florida statutes, the juvenile court's jurisdiction ended 180 days after N.W.'s initial admission of guilt. The trial court rejected this on grounds that adjudication was withheld. The Second District Court agreed, but certified that its decision conflicted with another District Court.