The Duval County Public Schools launched an investigation into Landmark Middle School, and the case has now been referred to the state attorney’s office.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thirteen students from Landmark Middle School are facing misdemeanor battery charges following an alleged incident in the school’s locker room, the Duval County Public Schools confirmed.
The charges come after a child reported being attacked by teammates in the locker room. The school district launched an investigation, and the case has now been referred to the state attorney’s office.
DCPS says the students were issued juvenile civil citations.
“It is something where the parents have to take seriously. They can’t just pay a fine. They will have to go to court,” Shannon Schott, attorney and expert in juvenile law, said. “Rather than subjecting a child to the trauma of being arrested and put into the juvenile detention center, this is a way that the Florida legislature decided it would be a better way to handle minor offenses like batteries.”
She explained the legal impact can extend beyond school.
“It can affect their school, it can affect their ability to live freely in the community,” Schott said.
They could face probation, diversion programs and other penalties.
“Just because a child is issued a notice to appear or juvenile civil citation does not mean that there’s no potential for jail time at any point in the case,” she added. “Under Florida law, the intention of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate a child. So all of these children will be given a meaningful opportunity to rehabilitate.”
Schott added that these citations often signal an opportunity for second chances through pretrial diversion programs rather than formal probation. She’s urging parents to seek legal counsel to navigate the complex system.
“It’s really important parents invest in an attorney and understand future impacts,” she said. “There might be children who were not involved in any way, and simply being present at the time of the offense does not make you guilty.”
The family of the injured student has been contacted for comment, but have not yet responded.