When a juvenile is arrested he or she is automatically placed in the juvenile system. He or she is taken to the juvenile detention center run by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the case is scheduled before a judge in the juvenile court division of the circuit court. The purpose of the juvenile court system is to rehabilitate and not punish your child.  For less serious offenses, like Retail Theft, programs are available that, if completed successfully, result in the charges being dropped.  More serious offenses can result in probation or incarceration.  However, depending upon your child’s age, the severity of the crime, and his or her arrest history, the State of Florida can treat your child as an adult.