Help fund representation for Florida's children: buy a "Kids Deserve Justice" license plate.

• Author: Johnson, Kelly Overstreet
• Position: President's Page

Too often, children come to court powerless, with no-one representing them. This occurs despite the fact that Florida law says children in neglect and abuse cases in dependency court shall be appointed a guardian ad litem. There are 21,282 children in Florida still waiting for an advocate.

In other kinds of judicial proceedings--from hotly contested custody battles to domestic violence cases to juveniles who naively waive their right to counsel in delinquency court--judges are left to make life-altering decisions about a child without sufficient or correct information because the child has no zealous advocate.

Funding for representation of children in court has never been adequate to meet the need. But now there is a way for Florida's lawyers to take a small step toward providing a continuing revenue source for -children's legal services. Simply agree to purchase the new "Kids Deserve Justice" license tag, which became available in April. The $25 tag will generate tax-deductible contributions directed to The Florida Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. The Foundation will administer the funds generated from sales of the tag to local legal aid organizations through its grant program.

Foundation President Terry Russell, also a past president of The Florida Bar, said that the Foundation "will not take any administrative expenses out of the $25."

Although there was talk during the 2004 session of limiting the number of specialty plates the state offers, Rep. Mark Mahon, R-Jacksonville, told the House Subcommittee on Highway Safety, "I hope this is one you will find in your hearts to support." Sponsored by Mahon and Sens. Rod Smith, D-Gainesville, Ron Saunders, R-Naples, and Skip Campbell, D-Tamarac, the bill sailed through discussion in legislative committees after they learned that 100 percent of revenues from tag sales would go toward providing legal representation for disabled, abused, and neglected children. The specialty tag was signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush late last summer.

Help will be provided in numerous ways and in a wide variety of situations. This might include...