Using a case-by-case basis -- which could be voted on in '07 -- is his preferred policy.

MIAMI -- Gov.-elect Charlie Crist said Friday that it is wrong for all juvenile offenders to be routinely shackled in chains by the Department of Juvenile Justice when they make court appearances.

Crist, in an interview with Associated Press reporters and editors, said he favored an individualized determination, which is precisely what opponents of routine juvenile shackling want.

 "I think it's only fair to judge these things on a case-by-case basis," Crist said.

State policy generally requires that juvenile offenders, regardless of age, size or the seriousness of their offenses, be brought to court wearing handcuffs, leg irons and belly chains.

"With that premise, if accurate, no matter what the offense we do this, that's wrong, in my view," Crist said in the interview.

Department of Juvenile Justice officials say the chains are necessary for public safety and contend that it is not a blanket policy. But Florida Bar members and public defenders around the state say the youthful shackling appears routine in virtually every Florida courthouse.

A bill is being drafted for introduction in the Legislature next year to ban indiscriminate shackling, requiring that chains be used only if a judge finds they are necessary. The Florida Bar Board of Governors is scheduled to discuss the issue next week.

Crist, a Republican who has served the past four years as attorney general, is scheduled to take office Jan. 2.

In the interview, Crist also said he doesn't know all the specifics on how to solve the state's homeowners-insurance problem, but he expressed confidence that lawmakers will be productive in a special session to address the crisis.

"I campaigned all over the state, and the issue that I heard about most was the insurance issue. Bar none. Everywhere we went, that's what we heard people screaming about. I understand why. The rate increases are horrific," he said.

Crist said insurance is the top issue facing him after he becomes governor, saying that he may now need to put an asterisk next to his promise to sign no other bill before signing his proposed "anti-murder" bill because of the Jan. 16 special session on insurance. His proposal, which would require judges to jail violent criminals who violate probation, can wait for the regular session in March.

He said he hadn't read the entire 231-page draft insurance bill prepared by Gov. Jeb Bush's office and released Wednesday, when Crist was attending the Republican Governors Association annual conference in Doral. But he is familiar with some of the goals and favors them.

"From what I know of it, it all sounds like very good things," Crist said.

That includes giving homeowners the choice of accepting higher deductibles or not including windstorm in their coverage, which could be pitfalls if a catastrophic hurricane hit Florida.

"I like freedom of choice, and if a consumer wants to make that choice, they ought to be empowered to do so," Crist said.

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