985.01 Purposes and intent.— (1) The purposes of this chapter are: (a) To increase public safety by reducing juvenile delinquency through effective prevention, intervention, and treatment services that strengthen and reform the lives of children. (b) To provide judicial and other procedures to assure due process through which children, victims, and other interested parties are assured fair hearings by […]
985.02 Legislative intent for the juvenile justice system.— (1) GENERAL PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN.—It is a purpose of the Legislature that the children of this state be provided with the following protections: (a) Protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. (b) A permanent and stable home. (c) A safe and nurturing environment which will preserve a sense of personal dignity and integrity. […]
985.03 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term: (1) “Abscond” means to hide, conceal, or absent oneself from the jurisdiction of the court or supervision of the department to avoid prosecution or supervision. (2) “Addictions receiving facility” means a substance abuse service provider as defined in chapter 397. (3) “Adjudicatory hearing” means a hearing for the court to determine […]
985.0301 Jurisdiction.— (1) The circuit court has exclusive original jurisdiction of proceedings in which a child is alleged to have committed: (a) A delinquent act or violation of law. (b) A noncriminal violation that has been assigned to juvenile court by law. (2) The jurisdiction of the court shall attach to the child and the case when the summons is […]
985.031 Age limitation; exception.— (1) This section may be cited as the “Kaia Rolle Act.” (2) A child younger than 7 years of age may not be arrested, charged, or adjudicated delinquent for a delinquent act or violation of law based on an act occurring before he or she reaches 7 years of age, unless the violation of […]
985.032 Legal representation for delinquency cases.— (1) For cases arising under this chapter, the state attorney shall represent the state. (2) A juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent or has adjudication of delinquency withheld shall be assessed costs of prosecution as provided in s. 938.27. History.—s. 2, ch. 92-170; s. 13, ch. 94-209; s. 1334, ch. 95-147; s. […]
985.033 Right to counsel.— (1) A child is entitled to representation by legal counsel at all stages of any delinquency court proceedings under this chapter. If the child and the parents or other legal guardian are indigent and unable to employ counsel for the child, the court shall appoint counsel under s. 27.52. Determination of indigence and […]
985.035 Opening hearings.— (1) All hearings, except as provided in this section, must be open to the public, and no person may be excluded except on special order of the court. The court, in its discretion, may close any hearing to the public when the public interest and the welfare of the child are best served by […]
985.036 Rights of victims; juvenile proceedings.— (1) Nothing in this chapter prohibits: (a) The victim of the offense; (b) The victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor; (c) The lawful representative of the victim or of the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor; or (d) The next of kin if the victim is a […]
985.037 Punishment for contempt of court; alternative sanctions.— (1) CONTEMPT OF COURT; LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The court may punish any child for contempt for interfering with the court or with court administration, or for violating any provision of this chapter or order of the court relative thereto. It is the intent of the Legislature that the court restrict and […]
985.039 Cost of supervision; cost of care.— (1) Except as provided in subsection (3) or subsection (4): (a) When any child is placed into supervised release detention, probation, or other supervision status with the department, or is committed to the minimum-risk nonresidential restrictiveness level, the court shall order the parent of such child to pay to the department […]
