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Hit-and-run teen's quick jail booking courtesy of Self-Arrest Program

Tribune photo by JIM REED

Jordan Valdez, the teen charged in the hit-and-run of a homeless woman, leaves the booking office after turning herself in to police Thursday.

By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 10, 2009

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Jordan Valdez

Melissa Sjostrom

TAMPA - A Davis Islands teen charged in a fatal hit-and-run didn't get special treatment when she was booked and released in less than 20 minutes.

Jordan Valdez and her attorney took advantage of the Sheriff's Self-Arrest Program, which has been around since 2005.

"It is designed to alleviate the traffic at central booking," said Col. Jim Previtera, head of Hillsborough County's jails.

Previtera said Valdez, charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, was one of seven people who used the self-arrest option Thursday at the department's work release center on Orient Road.

"She was released like anyone else," he said.

The program can cut the typical booking time from hours to minutes.

"You can be released almost immediately," Previtera said. "It all depends on how many people are ahead of you."

Central booking is much busier, thus takes longer.

Those using the self-arrest program must be fingerprinted, photographed, have their identity verified and be assigned a computer-generated booking number, Previtera said. Deputies also confirm any outstanding warrants and bail amounts.

Valdez's attorneys had negotiated with prosecutors to have her released on her own recognizance.

Those going through central booking undergo the same procedures.

But they also: have their possessions taken, inventoried and secured; go through a medical screening and psychological evaluation; and are classified as to where they should be housed in the jail based on security risks and other factors.

Anyone can use the program, as long as bail is set and they can post it – either in cash or through a bondsman.

Dee Ann Athan said she and other defense lawyers routinely have their clients use the program.

"If you go at a time when they aren't busy, you are in and out," she said.

Athan said it only works in cases were a reasonable bail has been set.

Prosecutors have charged Valdez, 17, as an adult in the accident that killed 33-year-old Melissa Sjostrom on Feb. 8.

Sjostrom was walking across Hyde Park Avenue near Azeele Street when she was struck.

Valdez could face up to 30 years in prison.

Her attorney, Ty Trayner, said his client is considering a plea deal offered by prosecutors and he expects the case will be resolved without Valdez going to jail.

Valdez was originally cited for careless driving, but the citation was dismissed when the detective who issued it failed to appear in court to testify.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698.

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