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Florida Pays $4.7 Million in Overcharges of Juvenile Detention

Florida’s Polk County received a $4.7 million settlement from the state in a lawsuit alleging the Florida Department of Justice (DJJ) overcharged counties between 2009 and 2012 for housing juvenile offenders.

Polk County joined nine other counties in 2014 in a lawsuit against the state.

Only Polk and Seminole counties pursued the suit to the end because they were seeking cash payment for the overcharges.

The other counties settled with DJJ for credit of future housing of juvenile offenders.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judge assumed responsibility for housing juvenile offenders in 2011, so Polk County insisted on a cash settlement.

Polk and Seminole counties received 10 administrative and court rulings in their favor, but the Legislature insisted it had to approve the settlement as part of its budget. That was done in the 2019 legislative session, and Polk County received payment on July 2, 2019.

Source: The Ledger

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