we sent michael lorenzen to find out more about this issue. >> reporter: police in florida arrested nearly 12,000 juveniles for minor offenses even though all were eligible for a civil citation. a new study by the children's campaign shows using criminal sanctions results in more repeat offenders. >>> for post arrest diverse it >> the use of civil citations was up 5% last year, but two counties saw a significant drop. >>> they have an average rate of 28%. it is a drop from the previous year. >> the way the system works now, the police may have jurisdiction on this side of the street and use civil sigh citations. >> you can't have a where things are didn't from county to county and law enforcement agency to law enforcement agency. >>> the study estimates there are 20 million and three times that much spent on prosecuting kids. the conservative james mad tyson institute says that doesn't include long-term costs. >> they pay more taxes. they are more likely to get student loans to be able to go to higher education institutions. incarcerated down the road. >> use of noncriminal citations are o