In 2019, six-year-old Kaia Rolle was arrested at her Florida school. A traumatic body camera video of the incident captured her desperate cries as she pleaded with the officer not to handcuff her. Despite her obvious distress, the young girl was left alone in the back of a police cruiser, before being booked, photographed and fingerprinted. At the juvenile intake facility, a step stool was required for Rolle to be visible in her mugshot. Her crime? Throwing a temper tantrum.
Rolle's ordeal prompted Florida lawmakers to raise the minimum age of arrest, prohibiting anyone under the age of seven from being detained, unless they have committed a serious felony. Competency to stand trial is a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme Court. A suspect's age is directly related to their ability to understand both the consequences of their actions and the legal process that will decide their fate.
Pretrial Justice Institute200 East Pratt Street, Suite 4100Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone667.281.9141
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