The Listen UP! Program was created to educate high school students about the topic, “Teen Mistakes that May Place You in Adult Criminal Court.” The 45-minute presentation addresses the topics of cyberbullying, sexting, possession of marijuana, synthetic cannabis, open house parties, underage drinking, possession of tobacco, DUI, driving-related offenses and fake I.D.s.

1. LISTEN UP! Program©
Teen Mistakes That Jacob Stern
May Place You In Judge
Beth Bloom
Adult Criminal Court

2. A CRIMINAL RECORD

3. FLORIDA JUVENILE ARRESTS
31,472 juvenile arrests
10,055 drug arrests
221 driving under the influence
1,170 liquor law violations
Source: FDLE 2012 Crime in Florida

4. JUVENILE ARREST REPORT
NOT confidential if:
Felony
3 or more misdemeanors
Transferred to the adult
system

5. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Common App:“Have you ever been
adjudicated guilty of a misdemeanor, felony or
other crime?”
UF:“Have you ever been charged with a
violation of the law that resulted in, or if still
pending, could result in probation, community
service, a jail sentence or the revocation or
suspension of your driver’s license?”

6. SEALING/EXPUNGING RECORDS
May not be eligible
Records accessible to:
 Employment with a criminal justice agency
 Admission to the Florida Bar
 Employment or licensing by a public agency
 Employment with a school or university
 Purchase of a firearm

7. #1: CYBERBULLYING
What is it?
Why should I care?

8. CYBERBULLYING
Sending someone mean or
threatening e-mails, instant
messages, or text messages
Breaking into someone’s account to
send cruel or untrue messages

9. CYBERBULLYING
43% of kids have been bullied while online
1 in 4 have had it happen more than once
53% of kids admit having said something
mean or hurtful to another person online
More than 1 in 3 have done it more than once

10. CYBERBULLYING
Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All
Students Act
Prohibits cyberbullying in all public K-
12 schools in Florida
Aggravated Assault
Up to 5 years in State Prison

11. SEXTING
Minors trading sexually explicit messages or
images via cell phone or social networking site
First offense: Community service hours
Second offense: 2nd degree
misdemeanor, 60 days in jail
Third offense: 3rd degree felony

12. #2: MARIJUANA

13. MARIJUANA
Possession of Marijuana
20 grams or less
1ST Degree Misdemeanor=up to 1
year in county jail & $500 fine
More than 20 grams
3rd Degree Felony= up to 5 years in
State Prison & $5000 fine

14. SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS
Man-made psychoactive herbal and chemical product which
mimics the effects of cannabis when consumed
Most common products are “Spice” and “K2”
Possession was made illegal in Florida in 2011
Possession or sale
 3 grams or less= 1st Degree Misdemeanor
 More than 3 grams= 3rd Degree Felony

15. #3: Driver’s License
Is driving a right or a
privilege?
Is it a big deal to drive without
a license?

16. TEEN DRIVERS
Teen drivers aged 16-19 are 4 times more
likely to crash than older drivers
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading
cause of death among 15 to 20-year-olds
3 out of 4 teens killed in motor vehicle
crashes were not wearing a seat belt

17. UNLICENSED DRIVERS
Unlawful to allow someone to drive your car if
he/she does not have a valid driver’s license
 2nd Degree Misdemeanor
 Up to 60 days in County Jail
If the unlicensed driver is involved in an accident,
your license will be automatically suspended for 1
year

18. #4: ALCOHOL
What if a friend brings alcohol into my
car, but I am not drinking?
What are the penalties for underage
drinking?
Can I drink during a religious festival?

19. POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL
Possession of an alcoholic beverage by
any person under the age of 21
First offense: 2nd degree misd.
60 days jail
Second Offense: 1st degree misd.
1 year jail

20. ALCOHOL & RELIGION
Shabbat, church services, etc….
Underage alcohol consumption for
religious purposes is legal in 31
states
Florida is not one of them

21. #5: OPEN HOUSE PARTIES
What are they?
Who is responsible?

22. OPEN HOUSE PARTIES
Any social gathering of minors at a
residence where alcohol and/or
drugs are possessed or consumed
by a minor
Person fails to take steps to
prevent possession or consumption
- 60 days in jail

23. #6: TOBACCO
What if I’m just holding my
friend’s cigarettes but not
smoking them?

24. TOBACCO
Possession of a tobacco product by
a person under the age of 18
Non-criminal conduct but will require
a court appearance
Suspension of driving privileges
Community service, fine and
education course

25. #7: FAKE I.D. CARDS
Can I get in trouble for
having a fake I.D.?

26. FAKE I.D. CARDS
Possession of a counterfeit
license is a 3rd degree felony – 5
years state prison

28. #8: DRIVING UNDER THE
INFLUENCE
Will a DUI conviction stay on
my record?

29. D.U.I.
Mandatory conviction that
remains on driving record for
75 years
Mandatory suspension, fines,
community service, probation

30. USE OF VEHICLE = ADULT
COURT
Minor who commits violation of traffic law
ends up in adult criminal court
DUI
Reckless Driving
Racing on a Highway
Driving without a valid DL
Leaving scene of an accident

31. #9: DRIVING PRIVILEGES
What traffic offenses can
result in the loss of my
driver’s license?

32. TRAFFIC OFFENSES THAT CAN RESULT
IN LOSS OF LICENSE
Any moving traffic violation
Refusing to take a test to show if you are
DUI
Break a traffic law and fail to pay or
appear in court
Use of tobacco if under 18
Too many traffic offenses/ points

33. ZERO TOLERANCE
Any driver under 21 with a BAL of .02
or higher has DL suspended for 6
months
Any driver under 18 who
accumulates 6 or more points within
12 months gets automatic 1 year DL
suspension

34. #10: Uh Oh – Now What?
If I get in trouble, do I have to
let my parents know?

35. Do you really have to ask
that question?

36. QUESTIONS?
Bbloom@jud11.flcourts.org
Jacobstern18@aol.com
305-548-5726