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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL ORDER This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Definitions 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the Truancy Suppression Unit (TSU). TSU members identify juvenile offenders who by law are truant. Proactive enforcement is designed to keep students in school, thereby reducing the drop out and juvenile crime rates. The TSU shall work closely with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) and other entities in an effort to reduce juvenile criminal activity associated with truancy. 2. Definitions A. Delinquent Child – a child who is found by a court to have committed a felony, misdemeanor, contempt of court, or violation of a local ordinance, whose case has not been prosecuted as an adult case. B. Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) – state agency established by the Florida Legislature to address juvenile matters. C. Habitual Truant – a student who has 15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days with or without the knowledge or consent of the student’s parent or legal guardian. D. Juvenile (Child) – any unmarried person under the age of eighteen (18) alleged to be dependent, or any married or unmarried person who is charged with a violation of law occurring before reaching eighteen (18) years of age or who has not been emancipated by the courts. E. Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) – designated booking and intake facility for all juveniles arrested in Orange County. It is locate d at 823 W. Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida. F. Juvenile Court – Juvenile Court in the Juvenile Division of the 9th Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida. Effective Date: August 11, 2023  Amends - SO 117.0 ( December 18, 2020 ) Number: 117.0 Distribution: All Sworn Personnel Review Month: April Reviewing Authority: SSD / Youth Services Subject: Truancy Suppression Unit (TSU) Procedures 117.0, Page 2 of 5 G. Juvenile Probation or Community Control - ordered by a juvenile judge. The judge may place the juvenile under the supervision of their parents and/or guardians or the Department of Juvenile Justice. The juvenile will remain in the custody of their parents and/or guardians with specified court ordered sanctions. H. Orange County You th Shelter – An Orange County Family Services non - secure facility serving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as a short -term home for runaway and homeless youth between 11 – 17 years old who are ungovernable, homeless, or exhibiting high risk behavior such as t ruancy or running away. The facility offers temporary housing, crisis counseling, individual and family counseling, and links to community resources for youth and their families. I. Regular School Attendance – the actual attendance of a student during the school day as defined by law and rules of the State Board of Education. J. Truancy – failure to attend school in accordance with FS Chapter 1003. The absence of a student from school is prima facie evidence of a violation FS 1003.24 . 3. Procedures A. Per FS 984.13 , a law enforcement officer may take a child into custody as a truant when he or she has reasonable grounds to believe the child was expelled from school, suspended from school, or is not authorized absent from school, and the child is not in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. However, per FS 1003.21 , a child is only subject to compulsory school attendance through the age of 15. If a 16 year old files a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the school board, he or she is not subject to compulsory school attendance. A person who is at least 17 years of age is not subject to compulsory school attendance. Per FS 1002.41 (3), “A home education program shall be excluded from meeting the requirements of a school day.” Therefore, if a child who is being home schooled is found outside during normal school hours, and is not in the presence of his or her parent or legal guardian, the child is not truant. B. Duties of the TSU will include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Locate an d identify truants and habitual truants in Orange County. 2. Make contact with loitering juveniles and ascertain if they are currently registered in school. If they are on probation, determine if they are abiding by all terms set forth by the juvenile court system. 3. Detain truants and take them to the appropriate school or school system site. In the event a truant cannot be returned to school, they may be taken to the Orange County Youth Shelter which is located at 1800 E. Michigan St. 117.0, Page 3 of 5 4. Deter criminal activit y perpetrated by truants by assigning deputies to specific communities where such activity is prevalent. 5. Assist other agencies within the Central Florida