2016 Delinquency Benchbook - flcourts.org · OVERVIEW OF THE FLORIDA JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCESS...

Florida’sJUVENILEDELINQUENCY

BENCHBOOKNovember2016

OfficeoftheStateCourtsAdministrator

ThisprojectwassupportedbyGrantNo.RCC500,awardedbyOfficeofJuvenileJusticeandDelinquencyPrevention,OfficeofJusticePrograms,U.S.DepartmentofJustice.Pointsofviewinthisdocumentarethoseoftheauthoranddonotnecessarilyrepresenttheofficialpositionorpoliciesofthefundingagencyand/orentity.

INTRODUCTION

Educationenhancestheknowledgeandskillsofthejudiciaryandtherefore

contributestotheadministrationofjustice.Tofurtherassistintheadministrationofjustice,theOfficeoftheStateCourtsAdministrator,OfficeofCourtImprovement,hasdevelopedthisbenchbooktoaddressjuveniledelinquencyinFlorida.ThebenchbookwasdevelopedtoassistbothnewandexperiencedjudgesinFloridawhoareassignedtohearjuveniledelinquencycases.

Thebenchbookisorganizedintoa‘GeneralTopics’sectionfollowedbychapters

correspondingwiththejuveniledelinquencyhearingsprovidedforinChapter985.Eachhearingchapteralsohasacorrespondinghearingbenchcard.TheGeneralTopicssectionintroducesmanyimportantancillaryissuesthatwillbeencounteredbythecourt.Thecitationsinthisbenchbookhavebeenabbreviatedtoimprovetextflow.Forexample,acitationtosection985.01,FloridaStatutes,willappearas§985.01andacitationtotheFloridaRulesofJuvenileProcedure8.000willappearasRule8.000.

Ourofficeintendstoupdateandsupplementthisbookperiodically.Accordingly,weinvitesuggestionsregardingtopicsthatneedmoredetailedtreatmentandwaysthatthispublicationcanbemademoreusefultojudgeshearingdelinquencycases.PleaseprovidecommentsandsuggestionstoDorisLaingintheOfficeofCourtImprovement,SupremeCourtBuilding,500SouthDuvalStreet,Tallahassee,Florida,32399-1900,[email protected],or850.410.1889.

Uponrequestbyaqualifiedindividualwithadisability,thisdocumentwillbemadeavailableinalternateformats.Toorderthisdocumentinanalternateformat,pleasecontacttheOfficeofCourtImprovement,SupremeCourtBuilding,500SouthDuvalStreet,Tallahassee,Florida,32399-1900.Phone:850.414.1507.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ThispublicationwasoriginallydevelopedwiththeassistanceofJudgeRaulZambrano,JudgeEdwardNickinson,DeborahShaw,andtheJuvenileJusticeCenteratBarryUniversity.

2016JUVENILEDELINQUENCYBENCHBOOK

TableofContents

Introduction.................................................................................................................iAcknowledgements.....................................................................................................iiDelinquencyCaseFlowChart.....................................................................................xiOverviewoftheFloridaJuvenileDelinquencyProcess.................................................1CommonAcronyms.....................................................................................................3GeneralTopicsAppeals.......................................................................................................................9A. Generally................................................................................................................9B. MotionforRehearing.............................................................................................9C. MotionforExtraordinaryRelief...........................................................................10D. AppealtotheAppellateCourt..............................................................................10

AuthorityofCourtoverParents.................................................................................12A. Generally..............................................................................................................12B. NonattendancebyaParentorGuardian.............................................................12C. CostsofRepresentation.......................................................................................13D. ParentingSkillsCourse.........................................................................................13E. RestitutionorCommunityService........................................................................13F. Fees......................................................................................................................13

ChildAdjudicatedNotGuiltybyReasonofInsanity...................................................14A. AdvisetheCourt...................................................................................................14B. NotGuiltybyReasonofInsanity..........................................................................14C. Treatment.............................................................................................................14

D. Review..................................................................................................................15CommitmentstoDJJ..................................................................................................16A. CommitmentProcess...........................................................................................16B. RestrictivenessLevels...........................................................................................16

ConditionalReleaseandPost-CommitmentProbation..............................................18A. ConditionalRelease..............................................................................................18B. Post-CommitmentProbation...............................................................................18

Confidentiality...........................................................................................................20A. Generally..............................................................................................................20B. Exceptions............................................................................................................20

CostofCourt,Care,andSupervision..........................................................................22A. Generally..............................................................................................................22B. AdditionalFees.....................................................................................................22C. RequiredInformation...........................................................................................22D. FeeDetermination...............................................................................................23E. FeeWaiver...........................................................................................................23F. Child’sObligationuponTurning18......................................................................23G. GuardianshipIssues..............................................................................................24H. ParentalLiability...................................................................................................24I. FeeReimbursement.............................................................................................24J. ExtensionofCare..................................................................................................24

Delinquency/DependencyCrossoverCases...............................................................25A. Statistics...............................................................................................................25B. EffectivePracticesinCrossoverCases..................................................................30

DepartingfromDJJGuidelines...................................................................................33A. Generally..............................................................................................................33B. E.A.R.v.State.......................................................................................................33

DetentionCriteria.....................................................................................................35A. Pre-CommitmentDetention.................................................................................35B. Post-CommitmentDetention...............................................................................37

Discovery..................................................................................................................39A. RequiredDisclosuretotheChild..........................................................................39B. RequiredDisclosuretoDJJ...................................................................................40C. Limitations............................................................................................................41D. Depositions...........................................................................................................41E. Sanctions..............................................................................................................45F. Record..................................................................................................................45

DiversionaryPrograms..............................................................................................47A. Generally..............................................................................................................47B. TeenCourt............................................................................................................47C. CivilCitation.........................................................................................................49D. JuvenileSubstanceInterventionProgram............................................................50E. Expunction............................................................................................................51

DomesticViolenceIssues..........................................................................................52

A. Statistics...............................................................................................................52B. TheeffectsofDomesticViolenceonchildren......................................................53C. HowtoAscertainwhetherDomesticViolencemaybePresent...........................55D. Bestpracticesindelinquencycasesinvolvingdomesticviolence........................57

CommonEvidenceIssues..........................................................................................62A. InvestigatoryStopsversusConsensualEncounters.............................................62B. BodySearches......................................................................................................63C. VehicleSearches...................................................................................................63D. StandardsinaSchoolSetting...............................................................................64E. WeaponsIssues........................................................................................................................64

ImmigrationIssues....................................................................................................66InterpretersforForeignLanguages............................................................................68A. IdentifyNeedforInterpretingServices................................................................68B. PerformAssessmenttoDetermineNeeds...........................................................69C. SelectionofInterpreter........................................................................................70D. ProvisionofServices.............................................................................................71E. ModesofInterpretingandServiceDeliveryMethods.........................................71

InterstateCompact....................................................................................................73A. Generally..............................................................................................................73B. RunawaysandEscapees–Procedure..................................................................73C. VoluntaryReturnProcedure................................................................................74D. ProbationersandParolees...................................................................................74E. SupplementaryAgreements.................................................................................74

JurisdictioninDelinquencyProceedings....................................................................75A. Generally..............................................................................................................75B. RetentionofJurisdiction......................................................................................75

JuvenileAssessmentCenter......................................................................................76JuvenileSexOffendersandTheAdamWalshAct......................................................77A. Generally..............................................................................................................77B. WrittenFindingsRequired...................................................................................77C. Registration..........................................................................................................77D. RemovalfromtheRegistry...................................................................................78

JuvenileSexOffenderPrograms................................................................................79A. Generally..............................................................................................................79B. CommunityBasedTreatmentServices................................................................79C. JuvenileSexualOffenderCommitmentPrograms...............................................80

Medicaid/MedicareEligibilityforServicesuponRelease...........................................81Restitution................................................................................................................82RiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI).............................................................................83ServiceofProcess......................................................................................................84SpeedyTrial..............................................................................................................85A. Generally..............................................................................................................85B. DemandforSpeedyTrial......................................................................................85C. MotionforDischarge...........................................................................................85

TransfertoAdultCourt..............................................................................................87A. Waiver..................................................................................................................87B. DirectFiling...........................................................................................................88C. Indictments..........................................................................................................90

UnifiedFamilyCourt–ModelFamilyCourt...............................................................91WalkerPlanApprovalbyJudge.................................................................................93DelinquencyHearingsDetentionHearingataGlance...................................................................................98DetentionHearingBenchcard..................................................................................100DetentionHearingOutline......................................................................................102A. Generally............................................................................................................102B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................104C. ProbableCauseDetermination..........................................................................105D. Setarraignmenthearing.....................................................................................107E. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdetention....................................................107

ArraignmentHearingataGlance.............................................................................111ArraignmentHearingBenchcard..............................................................................113ArraignmentHearingOutline..................................................................................115A. Generally............................................................................................................115B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................116C. Reviewdelinquencypetition..............................................................................117D. Entranceofaplea...............................................................................................118E. Setnexthearing.................................................................................................120F. Determinecustodypendingdisposition............................................................121

AdjudicatoryHearingataGlance............................................................................124AdjudicatoryHearingBenchcard.............................................................................126AdjudicatoryHearingOutline..................................................................................128A. Generally............................................................................................................128B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................129C. Adjudicatoryhearingprocess.............................................................................131D. Delinquencydetermination................................................................................133E. Custodypendingdisposition..............................................................................134F. Adviseofrighttoappeal....................................................................................134G. Setdispositionhearing.......................................................................................135H. Requirementsforwrittenorderofadjudication................................................135

DispositionHearingataGlance...............................................................................138DispositionHearingBenchcard................................................................................140DispositionHearingOutline.....................................................................................142A. Generally............................................................................................................142B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................143C. Reviewpredispositionreport.............................................................................144D. Commitmentdetermination..............................................................................146E. Detentionpendingcommitment........................................................................149F. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdisposition..................................................149

ViolationofProbationHearingataGlance..............................................................154ViolationofProbationHearingBenchcard...............................................................156ViolationofProbationHearingOutline....................................................................158A. Generally............................................................................................................158B. AdviseofRights..................................................................................................159C. Violationofprobationdetermination................................................................161D. Dispositiondetermination..................................................................................162E. Requirementsforwrittenorder.........................................................................162

ContemptofCourtHearingataGlance...................................................................166ContemptofCourtHearingBenchcard....................................................................168ContemptofCourtHearingOutline.........................................................................170A. Generally............................................................................................................170B. AdviseofRights..................................................................................................171C. Indirectcontempthearingprocedure................................................................173D. Sanctions............................................................................................................174E. Requirementsforawrittenjudgmentofcontempt...........................................175

WaiverofJurisdictionHearingataGlance...............................................................178WaiverofJurisdictionHearingBenchcard................................................................180WaiverofJurisdictionHearingOutline....................................................................182A. Generally............................................................................................................182B. AdviseofRights..................................................................................................183C. Determinethetypeofwaiver............................................................................184D. IssueaSummons................................................................................................185E. Considertheevidencepresented.......................................................................185F. Jurisdictiondetermination.................................................................................186G. Requirementsforawrittenorderonwaiverofjurisdiction..............................187

RestitutionHearingataGlance...............................................................................189RestitutionHearingBenchcard................................................................................191RestitutionHeartingOutline....................................................................................193A. Generally............................................................................................................193B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................194C. HearingProcedure.............................................................................................196D. Restitutiondetermination..................................................................................197E. Requirementsforawrittenorderofrestitution................................................197

CorrectionofOrdersHearingataGlance.................................................................200CorrectionofOrdersHearingBenchcard..................................................................202CorrectionofOrdersHearingOutline......................................................................204A. Generally............................................................................................................204B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................205C. Correctionhearingprocedure............................................................................206D. Correctiondetermination...................................................................................207E. Requirementsforacorrectedorder..................................................................207

CompetencyHearingataGlance.............................................................................210CompetencyHearingBenchcard..............................................................................212

CompetencyHearingOutline...................................................................................214A. Generally............................................................................................................214B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................215C. Competencyhearingprocedures.......................................................................216D. Competencydetermination...............................................................................217E. Confinementassessment...................................................................................218F. Requirementsforawrittenorderofincompetency..........................................220

AppendicesAppendix1:DetentionRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI)Appendix2:TenThingsEveryJuvenileCourtJudgeShouldKnowAboutTraumaandDelinquencyAppendix3:HelpingTraumatizedChildren:TipsForJudges

DELINQUENCYCASEFLOWCHARTAdigitalcopyoftheDelinquencyFlowChartisnotavailableinthisformat,pleaseview

thePDFversionofthisdocument.

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OVERVIEWOFTHEFLORIDA

JUVENILEDELINQUENCYPROCESS

ThejuveniledelinquencyprocessinFloridaisgovernedprimarilybyChapter985,FloridaStatutes.Thecircuitcourtshaveexclusiveoriginaljurisdictionoverproceedingsinwhichachildisallegedtohavecommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflaw.Achildisdefinedassomeonelessthan18yearsofage.TheFloridaDepartmentofJuvenileJustice(DJJ)istheagencychargedwithadministeringthejuvenilejusticesysteminFlorida.DJJmakesrecommendationstotheStateAttorney,whothendecideswhethertoproceedjudiciallyornon-judicially.Generally,childrenthatarechargedbylawenforcementwithdelinquentactsorviolationsoflawaretakentoajuvenileassessmentcenter(JAC)forintakescreeningandtoassesswhethersometypeofdetentionisnecessary.Incountiesthatdonothaveanassessmentcenter,thelawenforcementofficercallsaDJJ“on-callscreener”toassessthejuvenile’sriskanddetermineifdetentionisnecessary.Ifdetentionisnecessary,thechildwillbedeliveredtothenearestJACorDJJfacility.Withsomeminoroffenses,lawenforcementmayreleasethechildtoaparentorguardianandforwardthechargestothelocalclerkofcourtandDJJProbationOffice.IntakeandReferral

WhenachildisturnedovertoDJJ,oranon-callscreeneriscontacted,aJuvenileProbationOfficer(JPO)gathersinformationandreviewsthecase.Aspartoftheintakeprocess,theJPOcompletesastandardizedRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI).DJJmakestheinitialdeterminationastowhethertoreleaseordetainthechildbaseduponariskassessmentthatincludestheresultsoftheRAI.DetentionHearing

IfDJJdecidestodetainthechild,§985.26requiresadetentionhearingbeforethecircuitcourtwithin24hoursofbeingtakenintocustody.Thishearingisanalogoustothefirstappearancehearingincriminallaw.Thecourtmustdeterminewhetherthereisprobablecausethatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflawandwhetherfurtherdetentionisnecessary.Acourtcannotfurtherdetainachildunlessthecourtfindsthestatutorycriteriasetforthin§985.255aremet.Thechildisthenreleasedorretainedindetentionpendingfurtherproceedings.Achildcannotbedetainedinexcessof21dayswithoutthecommencementofanadjudicatoryhearingunlessanextensionforgoodcauseisshown.Someseriousoffenderscanbeheldinsecuredetentionforupto30days.§985.26(2).

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DelinquencyPetition

IftheStateAttorneydecidestoproceedjudicially,adelinquencypetitionwillbefiled.IftheStateAttorneydecidestoproceedsnon-judicially,thechildwillbeplacedintoadiversionaryprogramagreeduponbyallparties.Ifthechildsuccessfullycompletestheagreeduponprogram,thedelinquencycaseisdismissed.ArraignmentHearing

Ifadelinquencypetitionisfiled,thenextstepisanarraignmenthearingwherethechildentersapleaofnotguilty,guilty,ornolocontendere.Thecasethenproceedstoeitheranadjudicatoryhearingifthepleawasnotguiltyoradispositionhearingifthepleawaseitherguiltyornolocontendere.AdjudicatoryHearing

Atanadjudicatoryhearing,thecourtmustdecidewhetherthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflaw.Theadjudicatoryhearingisanalogoustothetrialincriminallaw.Ifitisfoundthatadelinquentactwascommitted,thecourtcanwithholdadjudicationoradjudicatethechilddelinquent,wherebythecaseproceedstodisposition.DispositionHearing

Thedispositionhearingisanalogoustosentencing.Thedispositionhearingcanimmediatelyfollowtheadjudicationorcanbescheduledforalaterdatedependingonwhetherapredispositionreport(PDR)waspreparedbyDJJ.DJJsubmitsapredispositionreportthatcontainstheirrecommendationsastohowthecaseshouldbedisposed.ThecourtcandeviatefromDJJ’srecommendationsbutmustmaketheappropriatewrittenfindingsinthedispositionorder.Followinganycommitment,offenderscanbeplacedonpost-commitmentsupervisionsuchasprobationand/orconditionalrelease.

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CommonAcronyms

DJJ FloridaDepartmentofJuvenileJusticeDCF FloridaDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesJPO JuvenileProbationOfficerRAI RiskAssessmentInstrumentJAC JuvenileAssessmentCenterPDR PredispositionReportUFC UnifiedFamilyCourt

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GeneralTopics

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GeneralTopics

TableofContents

Appeals.......................................................................................................................9A. Generally................................................................................................................9B. MotionforRehearing.............................................................................................9C. MotionforExtraordinaryRelief...........................................................................10D. AppealtotheAppellateCourt..............................................................................10

AuthorityofCourtoverParents.................................................................................12A. Generally..............................................................................................................12B. NonattendancebyaParentorGuardian.............................................................12C. CostsofRepresentation.......................................................................................13D. ParentingSkillsCourse.........................................................................................13E. RestitutionorCommunityService........................................................................13F. Fees......................................................................................................................13

ChildAdjudicatedNotGuiltybyReasonofInsanity...................................................14A. AdvisetheCourt...................................................................................................14B. NotGuiltybyReasonofInsanity..........................................................................14C. Treatment.............................................................................................................14D. Review..................................................................................................................15

CommitmentstoDJJ..................................................................................................16A. CommitmentProcess...........................................................................................16B. RestrictivenessLevels...........................................................................................16

ConditionalReleaseandPost-CommitmentProbation..............................................18A. ConditionalRelease..............................................................................................18B. Post-CommitmentProbation...............................................................................18

Confidentiality...........................................................................................................20A. Generally..............................................................................................................20B. Exceptions............................................................................................................20

CostofCourt,Care,andSupervision..........................................................................22A. Generally..............................................................................................................22B. AdditionalFees.....................................................................................................22C. RequiredInformation...........................................................................................22D. FeeDetermination...............................................................................................23E. FeeWaiver...........................................................................................................23F. Child’sObligationuponTurning18......................................................................23G. GuardianshipIssues..............................................................................................24H. ParentalLiability...................................................................................................24I. FeeReimbursement.............................................................................................24J. ExtensionofCare..................................................................................................24

Delinquency/DependencyCrossoverCases...............................................................25A. Statistics...............................................................................................................25B. EffectivePracticesinCrossoverCases..................................................................30

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DepartingfromDJJGuidelines...................................................................................33A. Generally..............................................................................................................33B. E.A.R.v.State.......................................................................................................33

DetentionCriteria.....................................................................................................35A. Pre-CommitmentDetention.................................................................................35B. Post-CommitmentDetention...............................................................................37

Discovery..................................................................................................................39A. RequiredDisclosuretotheChild..........................................................................39B. RequiredDisclosuretoDJJ...................................................................................40C. Limitations............................................................................................................41D. Depositions...........................................................................................................41E. Sanctions..............................................................................................................45F. Record..................................................................................................................45

DiversionaryPrograms..............................................................................................47A. Generally..............................................................................................................47B. TeenCourt............................................................................................................47C. CivilCitation.........................................................................................................49D. JuvenileSubstanceInterventionProgram............................................................50E. Expunction............................................................................................................51

DomesticViolenceIssues..........................................................................................52A. Statistics...............................................................................................................52B. TheeffectsofDomesticViolenceonchildren......................................................53C. HowtoAscertainwhetherDomesticViolencemaybePresent...........................55D. Bestpracticesindelinquencycasesinvolvingdomesticviolence........................57

CommonEvidenceIssues..........................................................................................62A. InvestigatoryStopsversusConsensualEncounters.............................................62B. BodySearches......................................................................................................63C. VehicleSearches...................................................................................................63D. StandardsinaSchoolSetting...............................................................................64E. WeaponsIssues....................................................................................................64

ImmigrationIssues....................................................................................................66InterpretersforForeignLanguages............................................................................68A. IdentifyNeedforInterpretingServices................................................................68B. PerformAssessmenttoDetermineNeeds...........................................................69C. SelectionofInterpreter........................................................................................70D. ProvisionofServices.............................................................................................71E. ModesofInterpretingandServiceDeliveryMethods.........................................71

InterstateCompact....................................................................................................73A. Generally..............................................................................................................73B. RunawaysandEscapees–Procedure..................................................................73C. VoluntaryReturnProcedure................................................................................74D. ProbationersandParolees...................................................................................74E. SupplementaryAgreements.................................................................................74

JurisdictioninDelinquencyProceedings....................................................................75

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A. Generally..............................................................................................................75B. RetentionofJurisdiction......................................................................................75

JuvenileAssessmentCenter......................................................................................76JuvenileSexOffendersandTheAdamWalshAct......................................................77A. Generally..............................................................................................................77B. WrittenFindingsRequired...................................................................................77C. Registration..........................................................................................................77D. RemovalfromtheRegistry...................................................................................78

JuvenileSexOffenderPrograms................................................................................79A. Generally..............................................................................................................79B. CommunityBasedTreatmentServices................................................................79C. JuvenileSexualOffenderCommitmentPrograms...............................................80

Medicaid/MedicareEligibilityforServicesuponRelease...........................................81Restitution................................................................................................................82RiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI).............................................................................83ServiceofProcess......................................................................................................84SpeedyTrial..............................................................................................................85A. Generally..............................................................................................................85B. DemandforSpeedyTrial......................................................................................85C. MotionforDischarge...........................................................................................85

TransfertoAdultCourt..............................................................................................87A. Waiver..................................................................................................................87B. DirectFiling...........................................................................................................88C. Indictments..........................................................................................................90

UnifiedFamilyCourt–ModelFamilyCourt...............................................................91WalkerPlanApprovalbyJudge.................................................................................93

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AppealsA. Generally

Sections985.534-985.536governtheprocedurefordelinquencyappeals.Therearetwoproceduresthatthetrialcourtmayoversee:motionforrehearingandmotionforextraordinaryrelief.Rules8.130and8.140.Thissectionwilldiscussthesetwoprocedures,andprovideanoverviewofthetrialcourt’sresponsibilitieswhenapartyappealstotheappellatelevel.

B. MotionforRehearing

Afterthecourthasenteredarulingonapretrialmotion,orderofadjudication,ororderwithholdingadjudication,anypartymaymoveforarehearing.Rule8.130(a).Thegroundsforsuchamotioninclude:• Thatthetrialcourterredinthedecisionofanymatteroflawarisingduringthe

hearing.• Thatapartydidnotreceiveafairandimpartialhearing.• Thatanypartyrequiredtobepresentatthehearingwasnotpresent.• Thatthereexistsnewandmaterialevidencewhich,ifintroducedatthehearing,

wouldprobablyhavechangedthecourt’sdecisionandcouldnotwithreasonablediligencehavebeendiscoveredbeforeandproducedatthehearing.

• Thatthecourtiswithoutjurisdictionoftheproceeding.• Thatthejudgmentiscontrarytothelawandevidence.Rule8.130(a)(1)-(6).Amotionforrehearingmustbemadewithin10daysoftheentryoftheorderbeingchallenged,andcanbemadeassoonasthecourtannouncesitsjudgment.Rule8.130(b)(1).Ifthemotionisinwriting,itmustbe“servedasprovidedintheserulesforserviceofotherpleadings.”Rule8.130(b)(2).Thecourtmayruleuponthemotionimmediately.Rule8.130(b)(1).Ifthecourtgrantsthemotion,thecourtmaymodifyorvacatetheorderinallorinpartandallowadditionalproceedingsasitdeemsjust.Rule8.130(c)(1).Thecourtmayenteranewjudgment,andcankeepthechildindetentionpendingfurtherproceedings.Rule8.130(c)(1).Thecourtmayonitsowninitiativevacateormodifyanyorder,aslongasitisdonewithin10daysoftheentryoftheorder.Rule8.130(c)(2).Themotionforrehearingwilltollthetimeforthetakingofanappeal.Rule8.130(b)(3).

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C. MotionforExtraordinaryRelief

Thecourtmay,onmotionand“uponsuchtermsasarejust,”provideapartyorparty’slegalrepresentativeextraordinaryrelieffromanorder,judgment,orproceeding.Rule8.140(a).Thecourtmaybasesuchreliefon:• Mistake,inadvertence,surprise,orexcusableneglect.• Newlydiscoveredevidencewhichbyduediligencecouldnothavebeen

discoveredintimetomoveforrehearing.• Fraud(intrinsicorextrinsic),misrepresentation,orothermisconductofany

otherparty.• Thattheorderofjudgmentisvoid.Rule8.140(a)(1)-(4).

Themotionmustbemadewithinareasonabletime–forthefirstthreebases,notmorethanoneyearafterthejudgment,order,orproceedingwastaken.Rule8.140(b).

D. AppealtotheAppellateCourt

Thechildorhisorherlegalparentorguardianmayfileanappealatanytimebetweenrenditionofthefinaljudgmentand30daysfollowingrenditionofawrittenorderimposingsentence.Rule9.140(b)(3).Thechildmayappealfromajudgmentbasedonanocontestpleaifthechildexpresslyreservedtherighttoappealadispositiveorderofthecourt,identifyingwithparticularitythepointoflawbeingreserved.M.N.v.State,16So.3d280(Fla.2dDCA2009).Thefailuretopreserveanissueforreviewaftertheentryofapleaisnotajurisdictionalbarbutratheralimitationontheissuesthatcanbeaddressedonappeal.Leonardv.State,So.2d114(Fla.2000).Anissueisnotproperlypreservedforappealunlessthereisanexpressreservationoftherighttoappealaparticularpointoflawandthecourtdeterminesthatitspriororderonthatpointwasdispositive.T.A.R.v.State,2So.3d993(Fla.2dDCA2008).Thestatemayfileappealonalimitednumberofgrounds,Rule9.145(c),within15daysoftherenditionoftheordertobereviewed.Rule9.140(c)(3).Thetakingofanappealdoesnotoperateassupersedeasunlesspursuanttoacourtorder.§985.534(3).Anappealbythestateonanorderfromapre-adjudicatoryhearingwillstaythecaseuntiltheappealisdetermined.§985.535(2).Iftheappellatecourtdeterminesthatthesubjectmatteroftheorderwouldmateriallyassistthestateinprovingitscaseagainstanotherchild(notthechildinthecurrentcase),theappellatecourtcanstaythatchild’scaseuntilthecurrentappealisdetermined.§985.535(2).

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Whileanappealispending,thetrialcourthasdiscretionoverwhethertoreleasethechildorretainhimorherincustody.§985.535(2).Whenthestateappealsfromarulingonaquestionoflawadversetothestate,theappellatecourtmustdecidethequestion.§985.536(2).

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AuthorityofCourtoverParentsA. Generally

Parents/guardiansaredeemedresponsibleforprovidingfortheirchildrenanddeterringthemfromcommittingdelinquentacts.§985.02(6).Ifthechilddoescommitadelinquentact,theemotional,legal,andfinancialresponsibilitiesoftheparentsorguardianswithregardtothecare,custody,andsupportofthechildcontinuewhileheorsheisunderthecareofDJJ.§985.02(6).

B. NonattendancebyaParentorGuardian

Theparentsarerequiredtoattendhearingsiftheyhavebeenserved,andfacethepossibilityofcontemptiftheyfailtoobeythesummons.§985.319(7).Ifadiligentsearchwasmadeandtheparentscouldnotbelocated,anAffidavitofDiligentSearchmustbefiled.Fla.R.Juv.Pro.Form8.968.Theformlistsoutseveralsearchmethodsthatmustbeperformedbeforefiling,includingattemptingto:• telephonetheparents;• searchthetelephonedirectoryforinformation;• sendacertifiedlettertothelastknownaddress,returnreceiptrequested;• personallyvisitthelastknownaddress;• inquireofalloftherelativesanyinformationabouttheparents’whereaboutsor

currentaddresses;and• inquireoffederalagencies,mentalandphysicalhealthfacilities,astothe

possiblelocationoftheparents.Onlyafterthesepossibilitiesareexhaustedmaytheformbefiledwiththecourt.Aslongasdiligenteffortsweremadetolocateandservetheparents,theirnonattendancedoesnotbaradetentionorarraignmenthearingfromtakingplace.Rules8.010and8.015.Further,iftheidentityorlocationoftheparentsisunknownafterthediligentsearch,thecourtmustappointaGuardianadLitemforthechild,ifappropriate.§985.319(7).Thenonattendancebyaparentorguardianmayrequirethecontinuanceofanadjudicatory,disposition,restitution,correctionoforders,violationofprobation,orcontempthearing.Ifthecourtordersthechildtopaymonetaryrestitution,itisdonethroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Additionally,thestatemayseekrestitutionorcommunityservicebythechild’sparents;aseparatepetitioncalleda“PetitionforParentalSanctions”mustbefiledwiththecourt,andtheparentsorguardiansmustbeserved.Rules8.030and8.031.Ifeitherofthesesituationshasoccurred,alackofserviceorafailuretoappearmay

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begroundsforacontinuanceofthehearing,ifapartycanshowgoodcauseforthecontinuance.Rule8.100(e).

C. CostsofRepresentation

Parentsorguardiansareresponsibleforpayingcostsassociatedwithrepresentationofthechild.§985.511.Ifthechildandtheparentsareindigent,thecourtshallappointrepresentation.§985.033(1).Iftheparentsandchildarenotindigentbutrefusetoemploycounsel,thecourtshallappointcounseluntilcounselisprovided.§985.033(3).Costsareimposedasprovidedby§§27.52and938.29.

D. ParentingSkillsCourse

Thecourtmayordertheparentorlegalguardianofachildadjudicateddependent,achildinneedofservices,orachildadjudicateddelinquenttoattendaparentingskillscourse,acceptcounseling,orreceiveotherassistancefromanyotheravailableagency.§985.512.Theparentsorguardiansmayalsobeorderedtoparticipateinsuchcounselingasdeemednecessaryfortherehabilitationofthechild.§985.513(2).

E. RestitutionorCommunityService

Thecourt,havingjurisdictionoverachildadjudicateddelinquent,may(byanorderstatingthefactsuponwhichadeterminationwasmade):• Orderthechild’sparentorguardian,alongwiththechild,torendercommunity

serviceinapublicserviceprogramortoparticipateinacommunityworksproject.Thecourtmayordertheparentsorguardianstoperformcommunityserviceifthecourtfindsthattheydidnotmakeadiligentandgoodfaithefforttopreventthechildfromengagingindelinquentacts.

• Orderthechild’sparentorguardiantopayrestitutioninmoneyorinkindforanydamageorlosscausedbythechild’soffense.Furthermore,theparentmayberesponsibleforanyrestitutionorderedagainstthechild.Thecourtmayretainjurisdictionoverthechildandparentsuntiltherestitutionorderissatisfiedorthecourtordersotherwise.§985.513(1)(a)&(b).

F. Fees

Whenachildisplacedintosecureornonsecuredetentioncarepursuanttoacourtorderfollowingadetentionhearingoradjudicatoryhearing,regardlessofadjudication,theparentsmustpayfeesasprovidedin§985.039.§985.514(1)&(2).Whenthecourtordersanychildtobeprosecutedasanadult,theparentsmustpayfeesasprovidedin§985.039forthechild’scommitmenttoorsupervisionbytheDJJ,§985.514(3),exceptwherethefeeiswaivedorreducedduetosignificantfinancialhardshiporafindingthattheparentwasavictimofthechild’sunlawfulbehaviorandiscooperatingwiththeauthorities.§985.039(3)&(4).

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ChildAdjudicatedNotGuiltybyReasonofInsanityA. AdvisetheCourt

Ifthechildnamedinthepetitionintendstopleadinsanityasadefense,thechildhastoadvisethecourtinwritingnotlessthan10daysbeforetheadjudicatoryhearingandmustprovidethecourtwithastatementofparticularsshowingasnearlyaspossiblethenatureoftheinsanityexpectedtobeprovedandthenamesandaddressesofwitnessesexpectedtoproveit.Rule8.095(b)(1).Oncefiled,thecourtmayorderthechildtobeexaminedinaccordancewiththeproceduresinRule8.095.Rule8.095(b)(1).Thecourt,upongoodcauseshowingandinitsdiscretion,maywaivetheserequirementsandpermittheintroductionofthedefense,ormaycontinuethehearingforthepurposesofanexaminationinaccordancewithRule8.095.Rule8.095(b)(2).Acontinuancewilltollspeedytrialandthelimitationondetentionpendingadjudication.Rule8.095(b)(2).

B. NotGuiltybyReasonofInsanity

Ifthechildisfoundnotguiltybyreasonofinsanity,thecourtwillentersuchfindinginitsjudgment.Rule8.095(e)(1).Afterarulingofnotguiltybyreasonofinsanity,thecourtwillconductahearingtodeterminewhetherthechildpresentlymeetsthestatutorycriteriaforinvoluntarycommitmenttoaresidentialpsychiatricfacility.Rule8.095(e)(2).Iftherequirementsaremet,thecourtmustcommitthechildtotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesforimmediateplacementinaresidentialpsychiatricfacility.Rule8.095(e)(2)(A).Iftherequirementshavenotbeenestablished,thecourtwillorderthechildtoreceiverecommendedandappropriatetreatmentatanoutpatientfacility.Rule8.095(e)(2)(B).Ifthecourtdeterminesthattreatmentisnotneeded,thecourtwilldischargethechild.Rule8.095(e)(2)(C).

C. Treatment

Commitmenttoaresidentialpsychiatricfacilityisgovernedbychapters985or394,FloridaStatutes,exceptthatrequestsfordischargeorcontinuedinvoluntarycommitmentmustbedirectedatthecourtthatcommittedthechild.Rule8.095(e)(2)(D).Ifachildisnotcommittedtoaresidentialpsychiatricfacilityandhasbeenorderedtoreceivetreatmentatanoutpatientfacility,anditappearsduringthecourseoftheorderedtreatment,• thattreatmentisnotbeingprovidedorthatthechildnowmeetsthecriteriafor

hospitalization,thecourtmustconductahearingpursuanttosubdivision(e)(2)ofthisrule;or

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• thatthechildnolongerrequirestreatmentatanoutpatientfacilityorservice,thecourtmustenteranorderdischargingthechild.Rule8.095(e)(2)(E)(i)-(ii).

D. Review

Duringthetimethechildisreceivingtreatment,eitherbyhospitalizationorthroughanoutpatientfacility,anypartymayrequestthecourttoconductahearingtodeterminethenature,quality,andneedforcontinuedtreatment.Thehearingmustbeconductedliketheinitialinvoluntarycommitmenthearing.Rule8.095(e)(2)(F).Nolaterthan30daysbeforereachingage19,achildstillundersupervisionofthecourtunderthisrulemustbeaffordedahearing.Atthehearing,adeterminationmustbemadeastowhetherthechildneedscontinuedhospitalizationortreatment.Ifthecourtdeterminesthatcontinuedcareisappropriate,involuntaryplacementproceedingsshouldbeinitiatedunderchapter394,FloridaStatutes.Ifthecourtdeterminesfurthercareisunnecessary,thechildshouldbedischarged.Rule8.095(e)(2)(G).

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CommitmentstoDJJ

A. CommitmentProcess

ThecommitmentprocessbeginswhenachildisbroughtforintaketotheDJJ.§985.14(1).Thechildisassignedtoajuvenileprobationofficer(JPO)whowillassessthechild’sneedsandrisks,anddeterminethemostappropriatetreatmentplanandsettingaccordingtothechild’sneedsandrisks.§985.14(1).TheJPOwillprepareapredispositionreport,whichispresentedtothecourtatthedetentionhearing§985.14(3)(a).Thecourtusesthepredispositionreport,alongwithothermaterialsandevidence,inthepre-sentencinghearings.Ifthechildisadjudicateddelinquent,thecourtwillreviewDJJ’srecommendationsforcommitment,and,byanorderstatingthefactsuponwhichthedeterminationwasmade,orderthechildintoaspecifiedcommitmentprogramorlevelofcommitment.§985.441(1).DJJhasfourrestrictivenesslevelsdependingontheprogramneedsandrequiredsupervisionofthechild,asdefinedin§985.03(44)(a)-(d):(a)minimum-risknonresidential,(b)nonsecureresidential,(c)high-riskresidential,and(d)maximum-riskresidential.Achildonprobationforamisdemeanormaynotbecommittedtoarestrictivenesslevelotherthanminimum-risknonresidentialforamisdemeanoroffenseoratechnicalprobationviolation.However,thechildcouldbecommittedtoanonsecureresidentialplacementifthechildhadpreviouslybeenadjudicatedorhadadjudicationwithheldforafelony.Thechildmayalsobecommittedtoanonsecureresidentialplacementifthechildhadpreviouslybeenadjudicatedorhadadjudicationwithheldforthreeormoremisdemeanorswithinthepreceding18months.§985.441(2)(a),(b).

B. RestrictivenessLevels

• Minimum-risknonresidential.Programsorprogrammodelsworkwiththechildwhoremainsinthecommunityandparticipatesatleast5daysperweekinadaytreatmentprogram.Achildassessedandclassifiedforaminimum-risknonresidentialprogramrepresentsaminimumrisktohimself/herselfandtopublicsafety,anddoesnotrequireplacementandservicesinresidentialsettings.Achildinthislevelhasfullaccessto,andresidesin,thecommunity.However,achildwhowasfoundtohavecommitteddelinquentactsthatinvolvedfirearms,thatweresexualoffenses,orthatwouldhavebeenlifefeloniesorfirstdegreefeloniesifcommittedbyanadultmaynotbecommittedtoaprogramatthislevel.

• Nonsecureresidential.Programsatthiscommitmentlevelareresidentialbutmayallowthechildtohaveunsupervisedaccesstothecommunity.Facilitiesare

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eitherenvironmentallysecure,staffsecure,orhardware-securewithwalls,fencing,orlockingdoors.Facilitiesatthiscommitmentlevelshallprovide24-hourawakesupervision,custody,care,andtreatmentofresidents.Achildassessedandclassifiedforplacementinprogramsatthiscommitmentlevelrepresentsalowormoderaterisktopublicsafetyandrequiresclosesupervision.Thestaffatafacilityatthiscommitmentlevelmaysecludeachildwhoisaphysicalthreattohimorherselforothers.Mechanicalrestraintmayalsobeusedwhennecessary.

• High-riskresidential.Atthiscommitmentlevel,programsareresidentialanddonotallowthechildtohaveaccesstothecommunity,exceptthattemporaryreleaseprovidingcommunityaccessforupto72continuoushoursmaybeapprovedbyacourtforachildwhohasmadesuccessfulprogressinhisorherprograminorderforhimorhertoattendafamilyemergencyor,duringthefinal60daysofhisorherplacement,tovisithisorherhome,enrollinschooloravocationalprogram,completeajobinterview,orparticipateinacommunityserviceproject.High-riskresidentialfacilitiesarehardware-securewithperimeterfencingandlockingdoors.Facilitiesprovide24-hourawakesupervision,custody,care,andtreatmentofresidents.Achildassessedandclassifiedforhigh-riskresidentialplacementrequiresclosesupervisioninastructuredresidentialsetting.Placementinprogramsatthislevelispromptedbyaconcernforpublicsafetythatoutweighsplacementinprogramsatlowercommitmentlevels.Thestaffatafacilityatthiscommitmentlevelmaysecludeachildwhoisaphysicalthreattohimorherselfortoothers.Mechanicalrestraintmayalsobeusedwhennecessary.Thefacilitymayprovideforsinglecelloccupancy.

• Maximum-riskresidential.Programsatthiscommitmentlevelincludejuvenilecorrectionalfacilitiesandjuvenileprisons.Theprogramsarelong-termresidentialanddonotallowthechildtohaveaccesstothecommunity.Facilitiesaremaximum-custody,hardware-securewithperimetersecurityfencingandlockingdoors.Facilitiesprovide24-hourawakesupervision,custody,care,andtreatmentofresidents.Thestaffatafacilityatthiscommitmentlevelmaysecludeachildwhoisaphysicalthreattohimorherselfortoothers.Mechanicalrestraintmayalsobeusedwhennecessary.Thefacilitymustprovideforsinglecelloccupancy,exceptthatchildrenmaybehousedtogetherduringprereleasetransition.Achildassessedandclassifiedforthislevelofplacementrequiresclosesupervisioninamaximumsecurityresidentialsetting.Placementinaprogramatthislevelispromptedbyademonstratedneedtoprotectthepublic.

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ConditionalReleaseandPost-CommitmentProbationA. ConditionalRelease

Conditionalreleaseis“thecare,treatment,help,andsupervisionprovidedjuvenilesreleasedfromresidentialcommitmentprogramstopromoterehabilitationandpreventrecidivism.”§985.46(1)(a).Commitmentprogramsshouldincluderehabilitativeeffortsforpreparingthechildforasuccessfulreleaseintothecommunity,§985.46(2)(a),withconditionalreleasetransitionplanningoccurringasearlyinthecommitmentprocessaspossible.§985.46(2)(b).ConditionalreleaseservicesareprovidedbyDJJ,andcaninclude:• Assessingachildplacedintoaresidentialcommitmentprogramtodetermine

theneedforconditionalreleaseservicesuponreleasefromtheprogram;• Supervisingthechildwhenheorsheisreleasedintothecommunityfroma

residentialcommitmentfacility;• Providingcounselingandotherservicesasnecessaryforthechild’sfamily;and• Assistingthefamilyintheirpreparationsforthereturnofthechild.§985.46(3).Participationintheeducationalprogrambystudentsofcompulsoryschoolattendanceageismandatoryforachildonconditionalreleasestatus.§985.46(5).Achildofnon-compulsoryschoolattendanceagewhohasnotreceivedhisorherhighschooldiplomaoritsequivalentmustparticipateintheeducationprogram.§985.46(5).Achildwhohasreceivedahighschooldiplomaoritsequivalentandisnotemployedmust,whileintheconditionalreleaseprogram,participatein:• Workforcedevelopmentorothercareerortechnicaleducation,or• Attendcommunitycollegeorauniversity.§985.46(5).

B. Post-CommitmentProbation

Thecourtmayorderachildadjudicateddelinquenttobeplacedintoapost-commitmentprobationprogram.§985.435(1).ThechildmustbeplacedintoaprogramsupervisedbyanauthorizedagentofDJJorbyanyotheragencyorpersonspecificallyauthorizedandappointedbythecourt.§985.435(1).Theprogrammaybeinthechild’shome,thehomeofarelative,oranothersuitableplaceundertheconditionsspecifiedbythecourt.§985.435(1).Theprobationprogrammustincludeapenaltycomponent.§985.435(2).Commonpenaltycomponentsofprobationprogramsinclude:• Restitutioninmoneyorinkind;• Communityservice;

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• Acurfew;or• Revocationorsuspensionofthechild’sdriver’slicense.§985.435(2)(a)-(d).Othernonresidentialpunishmentsappropriatetotheoffensemaybeorderedbythecourt.§985.435(2)(e).Theprobationprogrammustalsoincludearehabilitationcomponent.§985.435(3).Commonrehabilitationcomponentsincludeparticipationinaschoolorsimilareducationalprogramorparticipationinasubstanceabuseprogram.§985.435(3).Participationintheeducationalprogrambyachildofcompulsoryschoolattendanceageismandatoryforachildonpost-commitmentprobationstatus.§985.46(5).Thechild’sconsentisnotnecessaryforthecourttoorderhimorhertoparticipateinthespecifiedrehabilitationcomponent.§985.435(3).Thecourtmayalsoorderrandomtestingforthepurposesofdetectingandmonitoringtheuseofalcoholorcontrolledsubstance.§985.435(3).Aprobationprogrammayalsoincludeanalternativeconsequencecomponenttoaddressinstancesinwhichachildisnoncompliantwithtechnicalconditionsofhisorherprobationbuthasnotcommittedanynewviolationsoflaw.Iftheprobationprogramincludesthiscomponent,specificconsequencesthatapplytononcompliancewithspecifictechnicalconditionsofprobationmustbedetailedinthedispositionorder.§985.435(4).

Ifthecourtorderspost-commitmentprobation,theperiodofprobationmustbeconsistentwithanytreatmentorrehabilitationneedsidentifiedforthechild.§985.435(5).Ifthecourtordersspecialconditionsofprobation,theymustbepronouncedorallyatdispositionorstatutorilyauthorized.J.W.J.v.State,994So.2d1223(Fla.1stDCA2008).Additionally,theprobationperiodmaynotexceedthetermforwhichsentencecouldbeimposedifthechildwerecommittedfortheoffense.§985.435(5).However,thereisanexception:iftheoffenseisamisdemeanoroftheseconddegreeorequivalenttoaseconddegreemisdemeanor,theprobationperiodmaybeforaperiodofnomorethansixmonths.§985.435(5).Ifthecourtorderspost-commitmentprobation,specifyintheorderthelengthoftheprobation.S.T.v.State,8So.3d1153(Fla.1stDCA2009).Thecourtmayconductjudicialreviewhearingsforachildplacedonprobation,tofosteraccountabilityanddeterminethatthechildiscomplyingwiththeprobationrequirements.§985.435(6).Thecourtmayalsoallowforearlyterminationoftheprobationforachildwhohassubstantiallycompliedwiththetermsoftheprobation.§985.435(6).

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ConfidentialityA. Generally

Withafewexceptions,allinformationobtainedinadelinquencyproceedingisconfidential,solongastheinformationwasobtainedinthedischargeofanofficialdutybyanyjudge,employeeofthecourt,authorizedagentofDJJ,theParoleCommission,theDepartmentofCorrections,thejuvenilejusticecircuitboards,lawenforcementofficer,orlicensedprofessionalorlicensedcommunityagencyrepresentativewhoisparticipatingintheassessmentortreatmentofajuvenile.§985.04(1).Anyinformationsoobtainedmaybedisclosedonlytotheauthorizedpersonnelofthecourt,theDJJanditsdesignees,theDepartmentofCorrections,theParoleCommission,lawenforcementagents,schoolsuperintendentsandtheirdesignees,licensedprofessionalsorprofessionalagencyrepresentativesparticipatingintheassessmentortreatmentofthejuvenile,oranyotherpersonentitledunderthischaptertoreceiveaccesstotheinformation.§985.04(1).Thecourtmayalso,byorder,allowothersnotlistedaccesstoinformation.§985.04(1).

B. Exceptions

1. Thename,photograph,addressandcrimeorarrestreportofachildisnotconsideredconfidentialandexemptfrom§119.07(1)solelybecauseofthechild’sage,ifthechild:• Hasbeentakenintocustodybyalawenforcementofficerforaviolationof

thelawthat,ifcommittedbyanadult,wouldbeafelony;• Wasfoundbythecourttohavecommittedthreeormoreviolationsofthe

lawthat,ifcommittedbyanadult,wouldbemisdemeanors;• Wastransferredtotheadultcourtsystem,indicted,orwaivedunderthe

provisionofchapter985;• Wastakenintocustodybyalawenforcementofficerforaviolationofthe

lawunder§986.557(2)(b)or(d);or• Wastransferredtotheadultcourtsystembutwassentencedtothejuvenile

justicesystemunder§985.565.§985.04(2)(a)-(e).

2. Thevictimoftheoffensemayreceiveacopyofthejuvenileoffensereport;however,suchinformationmustnotberevealedtoanyoutsideparty,exceptasreasonablynecessarytopursuelegalremedies.§985.04(3).

3. RecordsmaintainedbythecourtorDJJthatpertaintoachildadjudicatedguilty

oforwithadjudicationwithheldforadelinquentactthat,ifcommittedbyanadult,wouldbeacrimeunder§§435.03and435.04,maybeusedonlyformeetingthescreeningrequirementsforpersonnelin§402.3055orunderdepartmentalrule.§985.04(6)(a).Thereleaseofsuchinformationmayonlybe

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fortheabovepurposes;thecourthasthepowertopunishbycontemptofcourtanyonewhoreleasesorusestheinformationforanyunauthorizedpurposes.§985.04(6)(a).

4. Sexualoffenderandpredatorregistrationinformationisapublicrecordas

providedbylaw.§985.04(6)(b).5. RecordsinthecustodyofDJJregardingchildrenmaybeinspectedonlyonthe

orderoftheSecretaryofJuvenileJusticeorhisorherauthorizedagent,bypeoplewhohavesufficientreasonandonsuchconditionsfortheiruseanddispositionastheSecretaryorhisorherauthorizedagentdeemsproper.§985.04(7)(a).Theinformationmayonlybedisclosedtootheremployeesofthedepartmentwhohaveaneedfortheinformationtoperformtheirofficialduties,tootherpeopleasauthorizedbythedepartment’srules,andonrequesttotheDepartmentofCorrections.§985.04(7)(a).

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CostofCourt,Care,andSupervisionA. Generally

Whenanychildisplacedintononsecuredetention,probation,orothersupervisionstatuswithDJJ,oriscommittedtotheminimum-risknonresidentialrestrictivenesslevel,thecourtmustordertheparent(s)orguardian(s)topaytoDJJafeeofonedollar($1.00)perdayforeachdaythatthechildisinsuchstatusforthecostofthesupervision.§985.039(1)(a).WhenanychildisplacedintosecuredetentionorplacedoncommittedstatusandthetemporarylegalcustodyofsuchchildisplacedwithDJJ,thecourtmustordertheparent(s)orguardian(s)topaytoDJJafeeoffivedollars($5.00)perdayforthecostofthecareforeachdaythatthechildisinthetemporarylegalcustodyoftheDJJ.§985.039(1)(b).Thesefeesmaybereducedorwaivedonlywithafindingthatthefeeswouldcreatesignificantfinancialhardshiporthattheparentwasavictiminthechild’sdelinquentactandwascooperatingwiththeinvestigationoftheoffense.§985.039(3)&(4).

B. AdditionalFees

Additionally,whenachildisadjudicateddelinquentfor,orpleadsnolocontendereto,amisdemeanor,oracriminaltrafficoffenseunderstatelaw,oraviolationofanymunicipalorcountyordinanceiftheviolationconstitutesamisdemeanorunderstatelaw,thecourtmustassesscourtcosts.§775.083(2).Thecourtcostisfiftydollars($50.00)forafelonyandtwentydollars($20.00)foranyothercrime.Thecourtcanonlyassessthesecostsifthereisanadjudicationofdelinquency;ifadjudicationiswithheld,thecostcannotbeimposed.R.A.V.v.State,22So.3d140(Fla.1stDCA2009).Thecourtmustalsoassessanadditionalfiftydollar($50.00)feeonanychildwhoisadjudicateddelinquentfor,pleadsnolocontenderefor,orhasadjudicationwithheldforanyfelony,misdemeanor,delinquentact,orcriminaltrafficoffenseunderthelawsofthisstateortheviolationofanymunicipalorcountyordinancewhichadoptsbyreferenceanymisdemeanorunderstatelaw.§938.03(1).Thisfeeisinadditiontothefeemandatedin§775.083andanycostsassessedasper§985.039,andcannotbewaived.§938.03(2).

C. RequiredInformation

TheparentofanychildwhohasbeenplacedunderthesupervisionorcareofDJJmustprovidetoDJJhisorher:• name,• address,• socialsecuritynumber,• dateofbirth,• driver'slicensenumberoridentificationcardnumber,and

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• sufficientfinancialinformationtoassistthecourtindeterminingtheparent'sabilitytopayanyfeeassociatedwiththecostofthechild'ssupervisionorcare.§985.039(2).

IftheparentrefusestoprovideDJJwiththerequiredinformation,thecourtmustordertheparenttoprovidetherequiredinformation.§985.039(2).Thefailureoftheparenttocomplywithanorderofthecourttoprovidetherequiredinformationconstitutescontemptofcourt,andthecourtmaypunishtheparentaccordingly.§985.039(2).

D. FeeDetermination

Atadetentionordispositionhearing,thecourtwillreceivetherequiredinformationaswellasanyotherverbalorwritteninformationofferedbytheparentofthechildbeingplacedinDJJ’scareandsupervisionastohisorherabilitytopayanyfeeimposedpursuanttothissectionandwhetherthepaymentofsuchfeewillcreateasignificantfinancialhardship.§985.039(3).Thecourtmaydividetheobligationforthefeebetweeneachparentinamanneritdeemsappropriate;however,thetotalamountofthedailyfeemaynotexceedtheamountsspecifiedinthissection.§985.039(3).Anyfindingmadebythecourtastotheabilityoftheparenttopaysuchfee,includinganyfindingofindigencyorsignificantfinancialhardship,mustbeinwritingandcontainadetaileddescriptionofthefactssupportingsuchfinding.§985.039(3).Ifthecourtmakesafindingofindigencyandsignificantfinancialhardship,thecourtmustwaivethefeeorreduceittoanamountdeemedappropriate.§985.039(3).Anyorderthatfeesaretobepaid,feesaretobepaidinareducedamount,orfeesarewaived,mustbeincludedinthedetentionordispositionorder.§985.039(5).Afailuretoincludeanythingregardingcostsintheorderwillmeanthattheparentisdeemedtohavetopaythefullamountasspecifiedbylaw.§985.039(5).

E. FeeWaiver

Thecourtmayreduceorwaivethefeeastoeachparentifthecourtmakesafindingontherecordthattheparentwasthevictimofthedelinquentactorviolationoflawforwhichthechildhasbeenplacedunderthesupervisionorcareofthedepartmentandthattheparentiscooperatingorhascooperatedwiththeinvestigationoftheoffense.§985.039(4).

F. Child’sObligationuponTurning18

Forachildwhoreachestheageof18priortothedetentionordispositionhearing,thecourtmaydirectanorderregardingcostofcareandfeeassessmentstothechild,ratherthantothechild'sparent.§985.039(6).Ifachildreaches18whileunderthesupervisionorcareofthedepartment,thecourtmay,uponpropermotionofanyparty,holdahearingtodeterminewhetheranypartyshouldbe

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furtherobligatedtopayanyfeeassociatedwithcostofthesupervisionorcareofthechild.§985.039(6).Ifthecourtdoesnotenteranorderwhenthechildreachestheageof18whileunderthesupervisionandcareofDJJ,itispresumedthattheparentmustpayorcontinuetopaythefeesspecifiedin§985.039(6).Anyorderenteredpursuantto§985.039(6)mustincludespecificfindingsastowhatfeesareordered,reduced,orwaivedastothechild.

G. GuardianshipIssues

Ifanyorderenteredpursuantto§985.039affectstheguardianshipofanestate,acertifiedcopymustbedeliveredtothejudgethathasjurisdictionovertheguardianshipoftheestate.§985.039(8).

H. ParentalLiability

Noparentorchildshallbeliableforanyfeeprovidedinthissectionunless:• thechildisadjudicateddelinquent,orhasadjudicationofdelinquencywithheld,

fortheoffensethatgaverisetothesupervisionorcare;or• thechildisfoundtohaveviolatedanorderofthecourt,includinganyorderof

supervisionorcare,andthecostsareassociatedwiththeviolationofsuchorder.§985.039(12)(a)&(b).

I. FeeReimbursement

Ifanyfundsarepaidforthesupervisionorcareofachildwhoisdeterminednottomeetthecriteriaspecifiedabove,thosefundsmustberefundedtothepayorimmediately.§985.039(12).

J. ExtensionofCare

Undernocircumstancesmaythecourtorthedepartmentextendthechild'slengthofstayinthedepartment'ssupervisionorcaresolelyforthepurposeofcollectingthefeesspecifiedinthissection.§985.039(11).

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Delinquency/DependencyCrossoverCasesCrossover child: a child who is under the dual jurisdiction of the delinquency anddependencycourts,thoughnotnecessarilyunderthecareandsupervisionofeitherDJJorDCF.

A. Statistics

Researchhasshownthatvictimsofphysicalabuse/neglectareatanincreasedriskofbecomingcrossoverchildrenandengagingindelinquentacts.1In1995,researchersfoundthatbetween9%and29%ofdependencychildrencrossedoverintodelinquencycourt.2Amorerecentstudyfoundthatthedelinquencyrateforchildrenpreviouslyabusedorneglectedis47%higherthanforthosewithnosuchhistory.3Crossoverchildrentypicallycrossintothedelinquencycourtforthefirsttimearound14yearsofage,althoughdelinquentordisruptivebehaviorcanbeginasearlyas7yearsofage.4Thereareseveralfactorsthathavebeenfoundtoinfluencethechancesadependency-onlychildwillbecomeacrossoverchild.Eachofthefollowingfactors,ifpresent,hasbeenfoundtoincreasethelikelihoodofcrossingover.

MaltreatmentStudieshaveshownthattheabuse/neglectwhichcausesachildtofallunderthedependencycourt’sjurisdictioncanalsoaffecthisorherlikelihoodofbecomingacrossoverchild.Specifically,abuseorneglectlimitedtoadolescenceorcontinuousabuseorneglectthroughoutchildhoodcanleadtoawidevarietyofnegativeoutcomes,chiefamongthemjuveniledelinquency.5Suchabuseand/orneglecthasbeenestimatedtoincreasetheriskofarrestasajuvenileby55%andincreasethe

1DeniseHerz&JosephRyan.BuildingMultisystemApproachesinChildWelfareandJuvenileJustice.NationalAssociationofPublicChildWelfareAdministrators(2008)at34.Theauthorsciteto8otherresearchprojectsthatsupportthisproposition,includingKelly,B.T.;Thornberry,T.;&Smith,C.Inthewakeofchildmaltreatment.OJJDPJuvenileJusticeBulletin.Washington,D.C.(1997);Ryan,J.P.&Testa,M.K.Childmaltreatmentandjuveniledelinquency:Investigatingtheroleofplacementandplacementinstability.27ChildrenandYouthServicesReview227-249(2005);andWiig,J.K.;Widom,C.S.;&Tuell,J.A.Understandingchildmaltreatmentandjuveniledelinquency:Fromresearchtoeffectiveprogram,practice,andsystemicsolutions.Washington,DC:ChildWelfareofAmericaPress(2002).2ShayBilchik&MichaelNash.ChildWelfareandJuvenileJustice:TwoSidesoftheSameCoin.JuvenileandFamilyJusticeToday16(Fall2008)at17.3AmericanBarAssociation.PolicyandReportonCrossoverandDualJurisdictionYouths(February2008).4TerenceP.Thornberry,DavidHuizinga,&RolfLoeber.TheCausesandCorrelatesStudies:FindingsandPolicyImplications.9(1)JuvenileJustice3(2004)at14.5Supranote1at38-39.

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riskofaviolentcrimearrestasajuvenileby96%.6However,ifthemaltreatmentislimitedtoearlychildhood,andendsbeforeadolescence,thechildmaynotbeimpactedsignificantlyenoughforjuveniledelinquencytobeacommonoutcome.7Childhoodabuseingeneralincreasestheoddsoffuturedelinquencyby29%,althoughthelikelihoodofbeingarrestedasachildincreasesby59%.8Inonestudy,researchersfoundthatmaltreatedyouthswere4.8timesmorelikelytobearrestedaschildrenand11timesmorelikelytobearrestedforaviolentcrimethanmatchedcontrolchildrenwhohadnotbeenmaltreated.9Further,maltreatedchildrenwereyoungeratthetimeoftheirarrestandcommittednearlytwiceasmanyoffenses.10Theimplicationthatchildrenwhoareabusedand/orneglectedtendtoengageindelinquentactsatanearlyageisnoteworthy.Asonestudynoted,youngoffendersare3timesmorelikelytobecomeseriousviolentoffenders.11Thus,thereisarealneedtounderstandtherelationshipbetweenchildmaltreatmentandjuveniledelinquency.

NumberofPlacementsAfactorthathasbeencloselytiedtodelinquencyisthenumberofout-of-homeplacementsachildhasexperienced.Evenonefostercareplacementsignificantlyraisesthelikelihoodthatachildwillcomeunderdelinquencycourtjurisdiction.12Nationaldatafrom2008indicatedthatchildrenindependencysystemsacrossthecountryhadanaverageof3.2out-of-homeplacementsperchild,withanaveragetimeincareperplacementof15.3months.13ResearchersfromastudyinCaliforniareportedsimilarresults.Ninety-eightpercentofallcrossoverchildrenhadatleastoneout-of-homeplacement.14Sixty-threepercenthadbeenplacedwitharelativeatsometime,and62%hadbeenplacedinagrouphome.DatafromFloridabetweenOctoberof2007andSeptemberof2008indicatesthatthereisadirectcorrelationbetweenincreasedplacementsandthelengthoftimethechildremains

6Idat34.7Idat38-39.8JanetK.Wiig,withJohnA.Tuell.GuidebookforJuvenileJusticeandChildWelfareSystemCoordinationandintegration:AFrameworkforImprovedOutcomes.ChildWelfareLeagueofAmerica(2008)atxiii-xiv.9BernardineH.Watson.Multi-ProblemYouth:AGrowingConcern.StoneleighCenter(2008)at4.10Supranote9atxiii-xiv.11JosephP.Ryan,DeniseHerz,PedroM.Hernandez,JaneMarieMarshall.MaltreatmentandDelinquency:InvestigatingChildWelfareBiasinJuvenileJusticeProcessing.29ChildrenandYouthServicesReview1035(2007)at1045.12Supranote4.13PeterJ.Pecora.WhyShouldChildWelfareFocusonPromotingPlacementStability?CW360:PromotingPlacementStability(Spring2010)at4.14Supranote1at50.

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inDCF’scare.15Forchildrenincareforlessthantwelvemonths,approximately83%hadtwoorfewerplacementsettings.16However,forchildrenincarebetween12and24months,61%hadtwoorfewerplacementsettings.17Finally,forchildrenincareforlongerthan24months,only33%hadtwoorfewerplacementsettings.18Further,placementdisruptionhasbeenlinkedtoattachmentdisordersandotherbehavioralandemotionalproblemsinchildren.19Inparticular,attachmentdisorderssuchasReactiveAttachmentDisordermayfrequentlyresultfromanincreasednumberofplacements,asthefrequencyofchangesinplacementsandimpermanenceofcareinhibitachildfromdevelopinghealthy,secureattachmentswithacaregiver.20Themorechangesincaregiverachildexperiences,themorelikelythechildistodevelopanattachmentdisorderorbehavioralproblem.21Instabilityinthedependencysystem,whichresultsinahighernumberofplacements,hasalsobeenlinkedtoratesofdelinquency.Childrenwithmultipleplacementsaremorelikelytoenterthedelinquencysystem.22Inonestudy,maleswith3placementswere1.5timesmorelikelytobecomedelinquent,andmaleswith4ormoreplacementswere2.1timesmorelikelytobecomedelinquentascomparedtomaleswithonlyoneplacement.23

PlacementSettingStudieshaveshownthatchildreninsubstitutecaresettingsareapproximatelytwotimesmorelikelytoengageindelinquencyascomparedtothosereceivingin-homecare.24Specifically,grouphomesettingsappeartobethemostworrisome;inaLosAngelesstudy,childrenwithatleastonegrouphomeplacementhad2.5timesgreaterriskofdelinquencyascomparedtosimilarchildreninotherfostercare

15FosteringCourtImprovement.ChildrenandFamilyServicesReviewMeasuresDuringOctober2007throughSeptember2008.Availableonlineathttp://fosteringcourtimprovement.org/fl/DCFDistrict/cfsr2_summary.html.16Id.17Id.18Id.19DanaK.Smith,ElizabethStormshak,PatriciaChamberlain,andRachelBridgesWhaley.PlacementDisruptioninTreatmentFosterCare.9(3)JournalofEmotionalandBehavioralDisorders200(Fall2001)at200.20BethTroutman,SusanRyan,andMichelleCardi.TheEffectsofFosterCarePlacementonYoungChildren’sMentalHealth.16(1)ProtectingChildren(2000)at30.21Id.22Supranote20at36.23Id.24Idat35.

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settings.25Inthatstudy,2106childrenwerefoundtobeassociatedwithatleastonearrest.26Ofthatnumber,1671(79%)experiencedtheirfirstarrestwhileinsubstitutecaresettings.27Andofthatnumber,675(40%)ofthearrestsoccurredwhiletheadolescentwasinagrouphomeplacement.28Thisstatisticbecomesmoreconcerningwhenthenatureofthearrestisconsidered.Atleastone-third(31%)ofallarrestswererelatedtoplacement,andtwo-thirds(66%)ofallplacement-relatedoffensesoccurredatagrouphome.29Childreningrouphomeswerefoundtobehalfaslikelytobearrestedforaweapons-relatedoffenseasthosenotingrouphomes.30However,grouphomechildrenarethreetimesaslikelytobearrestedforathreat-relatedoffense,andtwiceaslikelytobearrestedforaviolentoffense.31

PeerContagionAnadditionalfactorthatmayaffectadolescentsispeercontagion–typesofnegativeexposureandsocializationprocessesthatarelikelytoshapenegativebehaviorsandattitudes.32Peercontagioncanincreaseproblembehaviorsandnegativelifeoutcomesthroughoutadolescence.33Prolongedexposuretohigh-riskpeershasanunintendedeffectofheighteningdeviantbehaviorviasocialrelationships.34Inthedependencysystem,delinquencycanemergeasachildexperiencesincreasedplacementinstability.Thebondsthechildformsmaybestrongerwithotherdelinquentchildren,duetotheunstableenvironment,andwillresultintheintakeandinternalizationofdelinquentbeliefs.35Oncethesedelinquentpatternsform,theyhavea“feedbackeffect,furthercompromisingone’sbondwithconventionalsocietalnorms.”36Theconceptofdeviantpatternsincludessmoking,alcoholproblems,aggression,anddelinquency,amongothers.37

GangMembership

25JosephP.Ryan,JaneMarieMarshall,DeniseHerz,PedroM.Hernandez.JuvenileDelinquencyinChildWelfare:InvestigatingGroupHomeEffects.30(9)ChildrenandYouthServicesReview1088(2008).26Id.27Id.28Id.29Supranote1at36-37.30Supranote25.31Id.32Supranote1at36.33Id.34Id.35Idat42.36Id.37Supranote25.

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Peercontagionisanissue,especiallyinthechildwelfaresettingandgrouphomeplacementinparticular,butanotheraspectofpeercontagioncanbeseeningangmembership.InastudydoneinNewYork,approximately30%ofthechildrenstudiedjoinedagangatsomepointbetweentheagesof14and18.38Gangmembersaccountedforthemajorityofalldelinquencyinthestudy,withgangmembersinvolvedin63%ofalldelinquentacts,82%ofseriousdelinquencies,70%ofdrugsales,and54%ofallarrests.39Further,theresearchersfoundthatgangmembershadahigherrateofdelinquencyduringtheperiodofgangmembership,butnotbeforeorafterthatperiod.40AstudyinDenverconfirmedtheNewYorkfindings.IntheDenverstudy,gangmembersaccountedforapproximately80%ofallseriousandviolentcrime(excludinggangfights).41Thesefindingssuggestthatgangmembershipfacilitatesdelinquentprocessesandpatterns,makingdelinquencyamuchmorelikelyoutcome.

DepthofInvolvementResearchsuggeststhat“aspenetrationofthesystemdeepened,”crossoverchildrenrepresentlargerportionsofdelinquencycases.42InanArizonastudy,only1%ofinformaldiversiondelinquencycaseswerecrossover,comparedto7%ofprobationsupervisioncasesand42%ofprobationplacementcases.43Onestudyindicatedthatjudicialdecisionsresultingindetentionarestronglyassociatedwithachildbeinginout-of-homeplacementatthetimeoftheoffense,previouscrossoverreferrals,ahistoryofrunningaway,andsubstanceabuseproblems.44

RecidivismCrossoverchildrenhavebeenfoundtobeasmuchastwiceaslikelytorecidivateascomparedtodelinquency-onlychildren.45Olderchildrenaresignificantlymorelikelytorecidivate,andchildrenexhibitingtruancypatternsaremorethantwiceaslikelytorecidivate.46Further,thetrendtorecidivatetypicallycontinuesintoadulthood.Onestudyfoundthat,bytheageof28,89%ofboysand81%ofgirlsinthestudywererearrested,and85%oftheboysand63%ofthegirlswereconvicted.47In

38Supranote5at9.39Id.40Idat10.41Id.42Supranote1at43.43Id.44Supranote3at19.45Supranote1at53.46DeniseC.Herz,JosephP.Ryan,andShayBilchik.ChallengesFacingCrossoverYouth:AnExaminationofJuvenile-JusticeDecisionMakingandRecidivism.48(2)FamilyCourtReview305(2010)at315.47RebeccaColman,DoHanKim,SusanMitchell-Herzfeld,ThereseA.Shady.Long-TernConsequencesofDelinquency:ChildMaltreatmentandCrimeinEarlyAdulthood.(2008)atexecutivesummary7.

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termsofcross-systeminvolvement,89%ofdelinquentboysand87%ofdelinquentgirlswerearrestedoridentifiedasconformedperpetratorsofabuseorneglectbeforeage28.48

B. EffectivePracticesinCrossoverCases

CourtcommunicationThecourtshouldaskateveryhearingwhetherthepartiesinvolvedinthedelinquencyproceedingareinvolvedinanyrelateddependencycases.49Ifotherrelatedcasesareidentified,thecourtshouldcommunicatewiththejudgeorjudgesthatarehearingtheothercasesinvolvingthecrossoverchild.Theabilitytoidentifyacrossoverchildcanpreventavarietyofproblems,includingduplicationofefforts,miscommunication,andextendeddetention,50byincreasingcoordinationbetweencourtshearingcasesinvolvingthecrossoverchild.Inter-agencycollaborationStudieshaveshownthatwherecoordinationislacking,childfunctioningandwellbeingisnegativelyimpacted.51Oneofthemosteffectivepracticesthecourtcanengageinisensuringthatthechildgetsthehelpandresourcesheorsheneedsfromboththedependencyanddelinquencyagencies.52Thecourtmayinquire,whereappropriate,oftheagencyrepresentativesastothestateoftheprovisionofservicestothechildbybothagencies.

DispositionalconsiderationsTraditionaldelinquencypracticescanfailtoadequatelyaddresscommonconsequencesoftrauma,andmayre-traumatizeavulnerablechild.53Thus,whenthecourtreviewspossibledispositionaloutcomesforacrossoverchild,thecourtshouldconsidernotjustthecrossoverchild’sactionsbutalsohislivingsituation.54Suchacomprehensiveexaminationofthefamily’sneedsandstrengths,combinedwithanassessmentbyDJJorDCFtodeterminewhetherthechildisatriskofabuse

48Idatexecutivesummary9.49Supranote3at19.50GeneSiegel,andRachaelLord.WhenSystemsCollide:ImprovingCourtPracticesandProgramsinDualJurisdictionCases.56JuvenileandFamilyCourtJournal39(2005)at40.51SaraMunson,&MadelynFreundlich.DoubleJeopardy:YouthinFosterCareWhoCommitDelinquentActs.25Children’sLegalRightsJournal9(2005)at9.52Seeforexamples:GeneSiegel,andRachaelLord.WhenSystemsCollide:ImprovingCourtPracticesandProgramsinDualJurisdictionCases.56JuvenileandFamilyCourtJournal39(2005);andMichaelNash,ShayBilchik.ChildWelfareandJuvenileJustice–TwoSidesoftheSameCoin,PartII.JuvenileandFamilyJusticeToday22(Winter2009).53Supranote47atexecutivesummary12.54Supranote3at19.

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orneglect,canensurethatthecourthasthenecessaryknowledgetoappropriatelydeterminethecrossoverchild’soutcome.55Possibledispositionaloutcomesthatthecourtmayconsiderincrossovercases,inadditiontotraditionaldispositionaloptions,includeorderingtheparentorlegalguardianofacrossoverchildadjudicateddelinquenttoattendacourseofinstructioninparentingskills,andorderingthechildand/orparentorguardiantoacceptcounselingortoreceiveotherassistancefromanyagencyinthecommunity.56Theseapproachesresultinreducedrecidivism,fewerinstitutionalcommitments,lesscriminalityamongparentsandolderchildren,improvededucationalstatus,andimprovedfamilyfunctioning,amongotherpositiveresults.57

ConfidentialityofInformationThecourtshouldmakecertainthatanyinformationgatheredfromacrossoverchildaspartofadiagnosticevaluationisnotlaterusedagainstthechildasevidenceincourttosupportafindingofguiltortoenhancepunishment.58Anysuchusewould“compromisethetherapeuticprocessintendedtohelptroubledfosteryouthbyusingitasanopportunityfortheirself-incriminationratherthanasameanstopromotetheprocessofrehabilitationandrecoveryfromtheirvictimization.”59

AlternativecourtmodelsIfthecourtusesanalternativecourtmodel,suchastheUnifiedFamilyCourtmodel,thecourtmayhearallcasesinvolvingthecrossoverchildandhisorherfamily,asunifiedfamilycourtsoperateonthe“onefamily,onejudge”principle.Formoreinformationaboutcrossoverchildreninunifiedfamilycourts,seeGeneralTopics.TheBreakthroughSeriesCollaborativeTeamModelAlsoknownasthe“GeorgetownModel,”theBreakthroughSeriesCollaborativeTeamModelisintendedtoprovideacollaborativeframeworkforcourtsdealingwithcrossoverchildren.Themodelguidescourtsandagenciestoworktogetherandshareinformationandduties.Themodelencouragesfamilyparticipationandemphasizesthatcrossoverchildrenandtheirfamilieshavestrengthswhich,ifusedproperly,wouldcreateimprovedservicesforthechildren.60Thismodeliscurrentlybeingusedin11thcircuit,withexpansionstothe13thand17thcircuitsplanned.

55Id.56F.S.A.§985.512.57Supranote50at51.58Supranote4.59Id.60LorrieLutz,MaconStewart,withcontributionsfromLymanLegters.CrossoverYouthPracticeModel.CenterforJuvenileJusticeReform(2008)at17.Formoreinformationonthismodel,pleaseseethe

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TimemanagementThecourtmayconsiderreservingablockoftimeonthecourt’scalendarspecificallyforcrossovercasehearings.61Coordinatingtheschedulesofthepartiesinvolvedcouldbestreamlinedbyareservedperiodoftime62,asopposedtoanunmanagedsetofcrossovercasesinterspersedthroughoutthenon-crossovercases.Additionally,schedulingfortime-certainhearingscanimprovethepredictabilityofcourteventsandenhancethecredibilityandpublicperceptionofthecourt.63

CourtroompracticesCrossoverchildrenoftencomeunderthejurisdictionofthedependencycourtasaresultofabuseinthehome.Thecourtinadelinquencyproceedingshouldbeawareofthedynamicsoffamilydomesticabuseandhowtheymayaffectthechildorthechild’sparentsorguardians.Forinformationoncourtroompracticeswheredomesticviolenceispresent,seeGeneralTopics.

centerforJuvenileJusticeReformwebsite,availableonlineathttp://cjjr.georgetown.edu/pm/practicemodel.html.61Supranote50at45.62Id.63Idat46.

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DepartingfromDJJGuidelinesA. Generally

Section985.433(7)detailstheroleofDJJinthedispositionofachildadjudicateddelinquent.DJJpreparesarecommendationforthecourt,indicatingthemostappropriateplaceandtreatmentplan,specificallyidentifyingthelevelofrestrictivenessappropriateforthechild.§985.433(7)(a).Thecourtisrequiredtoconsiderthatrecommendationwhendeterminingdispositionofthechild.§985.433(7)(a).However,thecourtisnotobligatedtofollowDJJ’srecommendation.Accordingto§985.433(7)(b),thecourtcanfollowDJJ’srecommendationormayorderthechildintoadifferentplacementlevel.Anydeviationmustbesupportedbyreasonsrecordedbythecourtandsupportedbyapreponderanceoftheevidence.§985.433(7)(b).

B. E.A.R.v.State

InJanuaryof2009,TheFloridaSupremeCourtreleasedanopiniononacase,E.A.R.v.State,4So.3d614(Fla.2009).Inthatcase,thecourtexaminedwhatstandardsatisfiedtherequirementssetforthin§985.433(7)(b)(“statefortherecordthereasonsthatestablishbyapreponderanceoftheevidencewhythecourtisdisregardingtheassessmentofthechildandtherestrictivenesslevelrecommendedbythedepartment.”),astheDistrictCourtsofAppealweresplitonthatissue.TheFirst,Second,andFifthDistrictCourtsofAppealrequiredthejudgetospecificallyidentifythecharacteristicsoftherestrictivenesslevelimposedwithregardtotheneedsofthejuvenile.TheFourthDistrictheldthatsucharequirementdidnotapply.1TheFloridaSupremeCourtheldthattheFloridaStatutesnotonlyrequirethatthecourtstateitsreasonsfordepartingfromDJJ’sguidelines“ontherecord”andthatthereasonsbesupportedbyapreponderanceoftheevidence,butalsothatthereasonssuppliedbythecourtexplain,support,andjustifywhyonerestrictivenesslevelismoreappropriatethananother.Acourtmust:

(1)Articulateanunderstandingoftherespectivecharacteristicsoftheopposingrestrictivenesslevelsincluding(butnotlimitedto)thetypeof child that each restrictiveness level is designed to serve, thepotential "lengths of stay" associated with each level, and the

1ThissummarytakenfromtheOfficeofCourtImprovement’sCaseLawUpdate,February2009,availableonlineathttp://flcourts.org/gen_public/family/bin/OSCA-OCI-Case-Law-Update-February.pdf.

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divergenttreatmentprogramsandservicesavailabletothejuvenileattheselevels;and

(2) Then logically and persuasively explain why, in light of thesedifferingcharacteristics,onelevelisbettersuitedtoservingboththerehabilitativeneedsofthejuvenile—intheleastrestrictivesetting—andmaintaining the ability of the State to protect the public fromfurtheractsofdelinquency.2

Appellatecourtshavesubsequentlyanalyzedhowjuvenilecourtsareaffectedbythisopinion.Forexample,theFifthDCA,inB.C.v.State,29So.3d386(Fla.5thDCA2010),heldthatacourtmaysentenceachildtoconsecutiveratherthanconcurrentsentences,asrecommendedbyDJJ,aslongasthelevelthechildissentencedtoisthatrecommendedbyDJJ.TheFifthDCAreasonedthatsuchadeterminationiswithinthecourt’straditionaldiscretionandnotprohibitedbyE.A.R.v.State.Further,theFirstDCA,inJ.B.S.v.State,90So.3d961(Fla.1stDCA2012),heldthatacourtmaydeviatefromaprobationrecommendationandfollowasubsequentrestrictivenessrecommendation.Likewise,theFirstDCAreasonedthatsuchadeterminationiswithinthecourt’straditionaldiscretionandnotprohibitedbyE.A.R.v.State.However,aprobationrecommendation,withoutanyalternativeanalysisorrestrictivenessrecommendation,isinsufficienttoallowthecourttoproceedwithafinalcommitmentdispositionorder.TheFirstDCAreasonedthatsuchadeterminationisprohibitedbyE.A.R.v.State.B.K.A.v.State,122So.3d928(2013).InbothJ.B.S.v.StateandB.K.A.v.State,theFirstDistrictmadeitclearthatthedecisiontocommitornottocommitisthatofthecourtandnotarecommendationofDJJ.Accordingly,anE.A.R.analysisdoesnotapplytoinitialdeterminationsofcommitment.See§985.433.

2E.A.R.v.State,4So.3d614(Fla.2009)at638.

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DetentionCriteriaA. Pre-CommitmentDetention

Section985.255detailsthecriteriacourtswillusewhendeterminingwhetherachildmaybeplacedintopre-commitmentdetention.Acourtcannotdetainachildifthecriteriaarenotmet.Ifachildhasbeentakenintocustodyandplacedintodetentioncarepriortoadetentionhearing,thecourtmaycontinuetodetainthechildifthechildmeetsanyofthefollowing,from§985.255(1)(a)-(j):• Thechildisallegedtobeanescapeefromaresidentialcommitmentprogram;an

absconderfromanonresidentialcommitmentprogram,probationprogram,orconditionalreleasesupervision;orisallegedtohaveescapedwhilebeinglawfullytransportedtoorfromaresidentialcommitmentprogram.

• Thechildiswantedinanotherjurisdictionforanoffensewhich,ifcommittedbyanadult,wouldbeafelony.

• Thechildischargedwithadelinquentactorviolationoflawandrequestsinwritingthroughlegalcounseltobedetainedforprotectionfromanimminentphysicalthreattohisorherpersonalsafety.

• Thechildischargedwithcommittinganoffenseofdomesticviolenceandisdetainedasprovidedbelow.

• Thechildischargedwithpossessionordischargingafirearmonschoolpropertyinviolationof§790.115.

• Thechildischargedwithacapitalfelony,alifefelony,afelonyofthefirstdegree,afelonyoftheseconddegreethatdoesnotinvolveaviolationofchapter893,orafelonyofthethirddegreethatisalsoacrimeofviolence,includinganysuchoffenseinvolvingtheuseorpossessionofafirearm.

• Thechildischargedwithanyseconddegreeorthirddegreefelonyinvolvingaviolationofchapter893oranythirddegreefelonythatisnotalsoacrimeofviolence,andthechild:o Hasarecordoffailuretoappearatcourthearingsafterbeingproperly

notifiedinaccordancewiththeRulesofJuvenileProcedure;o Hasarecordoflawviolationspriortocourthearings;o Hasalreadybeendetainedorhasbeenreleasedandisawaitingfinal

dispositionofthecase;o Hasarecordofviolentconductresultinginphysicalinjurytoothers;oro Isfoundtohavebeeninpossessionofafirearm.

• Thechildisallegedtohaveviolatedtheconditionsofthechild'sprobationorconditionalreleasesupervision.However,achilddetainedunderthisparagraphmaybeheldonlyinaconsequenceunitasprovidedin§985.439.Ifaconsequenceunitisnotavailable,thechildshallbeplacedinnonsecuredetentionwithelectronicmonitoring.

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• Thechildisdetainedonajudicialorderforfailuretoappearandhaspreviouslywillfullyfailedtoappear,afterpropernotice,foranadjudicatoryhearingonthesamecaseregardlessoftheresultsoftheriskassessmentinstrument.Achildmaybeheldinsecuredetentionforupto72hoursinadvanceofthenextscheduledcourthearingpursuanttothisparagraph.Thechild'sfailuretokeeptheclerkofcourtanddefensecounselinformedofacurrentandvalidmailingaddresswherethechildwillreceivenoticetoappearatcourtproceedingsdoesnotprovideanadequategroundforexcusalofthechild'snonappearanceatthehearings.

• Thechildisdetainedonajudicialorderforfailuretoappearandhaspreviouslywillfullyfailedtoappear,afterpropernotice,attwoormorecourthearingsofanynatureonthesamecaseregardlessoftheresultsoftheriskassessmentinstrument.Achildmaybeheldinsecuredetentionforupto72hoursinadvanceofthenextscheduledcourthearingpursuanttothisparagraph.Thechild'sfailuretokeeptheclerkofcourtanddefensecounselinformedofacurrentandvalidmailingaddresswherethechildwillreceivenoticetoappearatcourtproceedingsdoesnotprovideanadequategroundforexcusalofthechild'snonappearanceatthehearings.

Ifthechildhasbeenchargedwithcommittingadomesticviolenceoffense,andthechilddoesnotmeetanyoftheotherdetentioncriteriaabove,thecourtmayorderthechildtobeheldinsecuredetentionifthecourtmakesspecificwrittenfindingsthatrespitecareisnotavailableforthechild,and/orthatitisnecessarytosecurelydetainthechildtoprotectthevictimfrominjury.§985.255(2).Ifthechildisdetainedbysuchwrittenfindings,thecourtmustholdahearing48hourslatertodeterminewhetherthechildshouldcontinuetobedetained.§985.255(2).Thechildmaycontinuetobedetainedonlyifthecourtmakesspecificwrittenfindingsthatcontinueddetentionisnecessarytoprotectthevictimfrominjury.§985.255(2).Anychildheldthuslymaynotbedetainedforlongerthanthetimelimitssetforthin§985.26.Anychildwhoisdetainedunder§985.255mustbegivenadetentionhearingwithin24hoursafterbeingtakenintocustody,todeterminetheexistenceofprobablecausethatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationofthelawthatheorsheischargedwithandtheneedforcontinueddetention.§985.255(3)(a).IfthecourtordersaplacementmorerestrictivethanindicatedbytheresultsoftheRAI,thecourtmuststate,inwriting,clearandconvincingreasonsforsuchplacement.§985.255(3)(b).Ifthecourtordersdetentionbutdoesnotincludeareleasedateintheorder,DJJmustrequestthecourtsetoneonthesamedatethechildisplacedintodetentioncare.Ifsubsequenthearingsareneededforsafetyplanning,theinitialordershall

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reflectthatthenextreviewhearingshallbeheldwithinthreedaysaftertheinitialdetentionplacement.§985.255(3)(c).Achildmaynotremainindetentionunderaspecialdetentionorderformorethan21days,unlessanadjudicatoryhearingforthecasehascommencedingoodfaith.§985.26(2).However,iftheoffensewouldbe,ifcommittedbyanadult,acapitalfelony,alifefelony,afelonyofthefirstdegree,orafelonyoftheseconddegreeinvolvingviolenceagainstanindividual,thecourtmay,uponagoodcauseshowingthattheprosecutionordefenseneedsmoretimetoprepareduetothenatureofthecharge,extendthelengthofdetentionforanadditional9days.§985.26(2).Thetimelimitsabovedonotincludetimeextensionsduetocourt-grantedcontinuances.§985.26(4).Shouldatimelimitbetolledduetoacontinuance,thecourtmustreviewthecontinuancewithahearingevery72hours,excludingSaturdays,Sundays,andlegalholidays,todeterminetheneedforcontinueddetentionandfurthercontinuanceoftheproceedings.§985.26(4).Exceptasprovidedabove,achildmaynotbeheldinsecureornonsecuredetentioncareformorethan15daysfollowingtheentryofanorderofadjudication.§985.26(3).Thetimelimitabovedoesnotincludetimeextensionsduetocourt-grantedcontinuances.§985.26(4).Shouldthetimelimitbetolledduetoacontinuance,thecourtmustreviewthecontinuancewithahearingevery72hours,excludingSaturdays,Sundays,andlegalholidays,todeterminetheneedforcontinueddetentionandfurthercontinuanceoftheproceedings.§985.26(4).

B. Post-CommitmentDetention

Allchildrenwhoareadjudicateddelinquentandareawaitingplacementmustbecommitted,butthepost-commitmentdetentioncriteriavary,dependingonthenatureoftheadjudicationandcommitmentlevelordered.§985.27(1).• Achildwhoisinnonsecuredetentionmaybeplacedonelectronicmonitoring.

§985.27(1).• Achildwhoisawaitingplacementinalow-riskresidentialprogrammustbe

removedfromdetentionwithin5days,excludingSaturdays,Sundays,andlegalholidays.§985.27(1)(a).Anychildbeingheldinsecuredetentionforthe5daysmustmeetthedetentioncriteriain§985.255.

• Achildwhoisawaitingplacementinamoderate-riskresidentialprogrammustberemovedfromdetentionwithin5days,excludingSaturdays,Sundays,andlegalholidays.§985.27(1)(b).Anychildbeingheldinsecuredetentionforthe5daysmustmeetthedetentioncriteriain§985.255.DJJmayaskforcontinueddetentioninsecuredetentionfacilities,ifsuchisnecessarytosecureappropriateresidentialplacementforthechild.§985.27(1)(b).Thecourtmaygrantsuchanextensionnotexceeding15daysaftertheentryofanadjudicationorder,excludingSaturdays,Sundays,andlegalholidays,andexceptasprovidedin§985.27.

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• Achildwhoisawaitingplacementinahigh-riskresidentialprogrammustbeheldindetentioncareuntilplacementorcommitmentisaccomplished.§985.27(1)(c).

• Achildwhoisawaitingplacementinamaximum-riskresidentialprogrammustbeheldinsecuredetentioncareuntilplacementorcommitmentisaccomplished.§985.27(1)(d).

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Discovery

Discoveryisnotamandatorypartofthedelinquencyprocess.Toengageindiscovery,achildcanelecttoparticipate,filingwiththecourtandservingonDJJa“noticeofdiscovery”whichservestoinformallinvolvedofthechild’sdesiretoengageindiscovery;thiselectionalsoservestobindallpartiestotherulesofdiscoveryascontainedintheRulesofJuvenileProcedure.Rule8.060(a)(1).Thecourtmay,ongoodcauseshown,alterthetimesforcompliancewithanydiscovery.Rule8.060(g).Exceptasotherwiseprovided,nopartyshalladviseapersonwhohasrelevantmaterialorinformation,exceptthechild,torefrainfromdiscussingthecasewithopposingcounselorfromshowingopposingcounselanyrelevantmaterial,andnopartymayimpedeopposingcounsel’sinvestigationofthecase.Rule8.060(i).

A. RequiredDisclosuretotheChild

Ifachildhaselectedtoparticipateandfileda“noticeofdiscovery,”DJJhas5daystoserveawrittendiscoveryexhibitonthechild.Thewrittendiscoveryexhibitinformsthechildofthefollowing,andallowshimorhertoinspect,copy,test,andphotographanyofthefollowinginformationormaterialinDJJ’spossessionorcontrol:• NamesandaddressesofeveryoneknowntoDJJtohaveinformationthatmight

berelevanttothecrimealleged,toanydefense,ortoanysimilarfactevidencethatmaybepresentedattheadjudicationhearing.Thenamesandaddressesmustbecategorizedasfollows:o CategoryA:witnessessuchaseyewitnesses;alibiwitnessesandwitnesses

rebuttalalibi;witnessespresentduringrecordedorunrecordedstatementsbythechild;investigatingofficers;witnessesknownbyDJJtohaveinformationthattendstonegatetheguiltofthechildastotheallegations;childhearsaywitnesses;andexpertwitnesseswhohavenotprovidedawrittenreportandcurriculumvitaeorwilltestifytotestresultsorgiveopinionsthatwillmeettheDauberttest(Daubertv.MerrellDowPharm.,Inc.,509U.S.579(1993);seealsoFed.R.Evid.702.

o CategoryB:witnessesnotlistedinCategoryAorCategoryC.o CategoryC:witnesseswhoperformonlyministerialfunctionsorwhomDJJ

doesnotintendtocallatthehearingandwhoseinvolvementandknowledgeissetforthinastatementfurnishedtothechild.

• Anystatementbyapersonwhosenameissuppliedabove.Astatementinthiscaseis“awrittenstatementmadebysaidpersonandsignedorotherwiseadoptedbyhimorherandalsoincludesanystatementofanykindormannermadebysuchpersonandwrittenorrecordedorsummarizedinanywritingorrecording,”andisintendedtoincludeallpoliceandinvestigativereportsofany

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kindpreparedinconnectionwiththecase,butnotnotesfromwhichthereportsarecreated.

• Anywrittenorrecordedstatementsandthesubstanceofanyoralstatementsmadebythechild,includingacopyofanystatementscontainedinpolicereportsorsummaries,alongwiththenameandaddressofeachwitnesstothestatements.

• Ifthereisacodefendantandthehearingistobeajointhearing,anywrittenorrecordedstatementsandthesubstanceofanyoralstatementsmadebythecodefendant.

• Ifthechild’scasewasthesubjectofagrandjury,anyportionsoftherecordedgrandjuryminutesthatcontaintestimonyfromthechild.

• Anytangiblepapersorobjectsobtainedfromorbelongingtothechild.• WhetherDJJreceivedanymaterialsorinformationfromaconfidential

informant.• Iftherehasbeenelectronicsurveillance,includingwiretapping,theDJJmust

informthechildthatitwasusedandofanyconversationstowhichthechildwasaparty;DJJmustalsoincludeinthisanydocumentsrelatingtothewirelesssurveillance.

• DJJmustinformthechildwhethertherewasanysearchorseizureandanydocumentsrelatingtosuch.

• Reportsorstatementsofexpertsmadeinconnectionwiththechild’scase,includingresultsofphysicalormentalexaminationsandofscientifictests,experiments,orcomparisons.

• AnyothertangiblepapersorobjectsDJJintendstouseinthehearingthatwerenotobtainedfromorbelongedtothechild.Rule8.060(a)(2)(A)-(K).

Assoonaspracticableafterthedelinquencypetitionisfiled,DJJmustdisclosetothechildanyinformationintheState’spossessionorcontrolthattendstonegatetheguiltofthechildastothecrimealleged.Rule8.060(a)(3).Thecourtmayorderotherdiscoveryasjusticemayrequire.Rule8.060(a)(5).

B. RequiredDisclosuretoDJJ

Ifachildhaselectedtoparticipateandfileda“noticeofdiscovery,”thechildhas5daystomakethefollowingdisclosures:• Awrittenlistofallofthepeoplethechildexpectstocallaswitnessesatthe

hearing.• Thechildmustserveawrittendiscoveryexhibit,whichinformsDJJofthe

following,andallowsDJJtoinspect,copy,test,andphotographanyofthefollowinginformationormaterialinthechild’spossessionorcontrol:o Statementsfromanyonethechildexpectstocallasatrialwitness(other

thanhimself);

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o Reportsorstatementsofexpertsmadeinconnectionwiththechild’scase,includingresultsofphysicalormentalexaminationsandofscientifictests,experiments,orcomparisons;and

o Anytangiblepapersorobjectswhichthechildintendstouseinthehearing.Rule8.060(b)(1)(A)-(B).

IfDJJfilesaprotectiveorder,thetimeprovidedaboveisautomaticallystayed.Rule8.060(b)(3).Iftheorderisgranted,thechildmay,within2daysofsuch,orbeforeDJJprovidestheinformationormaterialthatisthesubjectoftheprotectiveorder,withdrawthedemandandnotberequiredtofurnishreciprocaldiscovery.Rule8.060(b)(3).

C. Limitations

Uponapplicationbyaparty,thecourtmaydenyorlimitdisclosureifthecourtfindsasubstantialrisktoanyoneofphysicalharm,intimidation,bribery,economicreprisals,orunnecessaryannoyanceorembarrassmentresultingfromthedisclosure,whichoutweighsanyusefulnessofdisclosuretothepartyattemptingtodisclose.Rule8.060(c)(1).Anyonecanmoveforanorderdenyingorregulatingdisclosureofmaterial;thecourtmayconsiderthemotionincamera.Rule8.060(l)(1).However,certaininformationisnotsubjecttodisclosure,including:• legalresearchorofrecords,correspondence,ormemoranda,totheextentthat

theycontaintheopinion,theories,orconclusionsoftheprosecutingordefenseattorneyormembersoftheirlegalstaff.

• Disclosureofaconfidentialinformantisnotrequiredunlesstheinformantwillbeproducedatahearing,orfailuretodisclosetheinformant’sidentitywillinfringeonthechild’sconstitutionalrights.Rule8.060(c)(2)(A)-(B).

Onashowingofgoodcause,thecourtmayorderatanytimethatcertaindisclosuresberestricted,deferred,orexemptfromdiscovery;thatcertainmattersarenottobeexamined;thatthescopeofadepositionistobelimitedtocertainthings;orthatadepositionistobesealedandabletobeopenedonlybycourtorder.Thecourtmayalsomakeanyotherappropriateordertoprotectawitnessfromharassment,unnecessaryinconvenience,orinvasionofprivacy,includingprohibitingthetakingofadeposition.Rule8.060(j).However,allmaterialthatapartyisentitledtomustbedisclosedwithsufficienttimetopermitthepartytomakebeneficialuseoftheinformation.Rule8.060(j).

D. Depositions

NodepositionsareallowedincaseswherethedelinquencypetitionallegesonlyamisdemeanororcriminaltrafficcourtviolationwhenallotherdiscoveryprovidedbyRule8.060hasbeencompliedwith,exceptwheregoodcausecanbeshowntothetrialcourt.Rule8.060(d)(2)(I).Initsdeterminationofwhethertoallowdepositions,

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thecourtshouldconsidertheconsequencestothechild,thecomplexityoftheissues,thecomplexityofthetestimonysought,andtheotheropportunitiesavailabletothechildtodisclosetheinformationsoughtbydeposition.Rule8.060(d)(2)(I).Theprohibitionagainsttakingdepositionsisnotapplicableif,followingthefurnishingofdiscoverybythechild,DJJtakesthestatementofalisteddefensewitnesspursuanttotheStateAttorney’spowerandauthoritytosummonwitnesses.Rule8.060(d)(2)(I).Whenpermitted,depositionscanbetakenatanytimeafterthefilingofthedelinquencypetition,andanypartymaytakeadepositionofanypersonauthorizedbythisrule.Rule8.060(d)(1)(A).Thecourtmay,afternoticetotheparties,issuesubpoenasforpartiestobedeposed.Rule8.060(d)(2)(B).Depositionsofwitnessesresidinginthecountywheretheadjudicatoryhearingwilltakeplacemustbetakeninthebuildingwherethehearingistotakeplace,anotherlocationagreedtobytheparties,oranotherlocationspecifiedbythecourt.Rule8.060(d)(1)(B).Ifthewitnessresidesoutsidethecountywheretheadjudicatoryhearingwilltakeplace,thedepositionmusttakeplaceinacourtreporter’sofficeinthecountywherethewitnessresides,anotherlocationagreedtobytheparties,oranotherlocationspecifiedbythecourt.Rule8.060(d)(1)(B).Anywitnesswhorefusestoobeyadulyservedsubpoenamaybeadjudicatedincontemptbytheissuingcourtforsuchrefusal.Rule8.060(d)(5).Generally,witnessescanonlybedeposedonce,withtwoexceptions:ifthepartiesconsenttomultipledepositions,orifthecourtordersasubsequentdeposition,ongoodcauseshown.Rule8.060(d)(2)(D).Thepartytakingthedepositionshouldprovidereasonablewrittennoticetoeveryotherparty,andmakeagoodfaithefforttocoordinatewiththeotherpartiesandthewitnesstobedeposed.Thenoticemuststatethetimeandlocationofthedeposition,thenameofeachpersonbeingdeposed,andacertificateofcounselthatagoodfaitheffortwasmadetocoordinatethedepositionschedule.Rule8.060(d)(2)(A).Afternoticetotheparties,thecourtmay,afterashowingofgoodcause,changethetimeorlocationofthedeposition.Rule8.060(d)(2)(C).Theprocedurefortakingadeposition,includingthescopeofthedepositionanduseofasubpoena(otherthanasubpoenaducestecum),isanalogoustotheproceduredescribedintheFloridaRulesofCivilProcedure.Rule8.060(d)(2)(E).Depositionsofchildrenunder16yearsofageshallbevideotapedondemandfromapartyunlessotherwiseorderedbythecourt.Rule8.060(d)(9).Thecourtmayorderthevideotapingofadepositionofawitnessoffragileemotionalhealth.Thecourtmayalsoorderthedepositionofthefragilewitnesstobetakeninthepresenceofaspecialmagistrateorthetrialjudge.Rule8.060(d)(9).BadFaithDepositionsAtanytimeduringthetakingofadeposition,onamotionbyapartyorbythepersondeposed,andonashowingthatthedepositionisbeingconductedinbad

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faithorinamannerdesignedtoannoy,embarrass,oroppressthewitnessoraparty,thecourtmay:• Terminatethedeposition;• Limitthescopeandmannerofthetakingofthedeposition;• Limitthetimeofthedeposition;• Continuethedepositiontoalaterdateandtime;• Orderthedepositiontobetakeninopencourt;and• MayimposeanysanctionauthorizedbyRule8.060.Rule8.060(k).Ifthecourtorderterminatesthedeposition,itcanonlyberesumedbyanorderofthecourt.Rule8.060(k).Upontherequestofapartyorwitness,thedepositionmaybesuspendedforthetimenecessarytomakeamotionforanorder.Rule8.060(k).Child’sPresenceatDepositionAchildmaynotbepresentatadepositionexceptonstipulationofthepartiesorbyanorderofthecourtonashowingofgoodcause.Rule8.060(d)(6).Inmakingsuchanorder,thecourtmayconsidertheneedforthephysicalpresenceofthechild;theintimidatingeffectthechild’spresencemayhaveonthewitness;anycostorinconveniencethatmayresult;andanyalternativeelectronicmeansavailabletoprotectthechild’sabilitytoparticipateindiscoverywithoutbeingphysicallypresent.Rule8.060(d)(6).

Witness’PresenceatDepositionTheabilitytodeposeawitnessdependsonthetypeofwitness.• DJJcan,withoutleaveofthecourt,takethedepositionofanywitnesslistedby

thechild.• Thechild,withoutleaveofthecourt,cantakethedepositionofanywitness

listedbyDJJasa“CategoryA”witness.• Thechildcan,withoutleaveofthecourt,takethedepositionofanyunlisted

witnesswhomayhaveinformationrelevanttothedelinquencypetition’sallegations.

• NopartycandeposeawitnesslistedbyDJJasa“CategoryB”witness,exceptbyleaveofthecourt.

• A“CategoryC”witnesscannotbedeposedbyanypartyunlessthecourtdeterminesthewitnessshouldbelistedinanothercategory.Rule8.060(d)(2)(F)-(H).

• Uponstipulationofthepartiesandconsentofthewitness,thestatementofalawenforcementofficercanbetakentelephonicallyinlieuofadeposition.Thestatementmustberecordedandcanbeusedforimpeachmentpurposesattrial.Rule8.060(d)(7).Lawenforcementofficersshallbedeposedwithoutsubpoena,uponwrittennoticeofthedepositiontotheaddressdesignatedbythelawenforcementagencyor,ifnoaddressisdesignated,totheaddressofthelaw

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enforcementagency5daysbeforethedateofthedeposition.Alawenforcementofficerwhofailstoappearaftersuchnoticeissubjecttocontemptproceedings.Rule8.060(d)(8).

Indeterminingwhetherapartymaydeposea“CategoryB”witness,thecourtshouldconsidertheconsequencestothechild,thecomplexityoftheissues,thecomplexityofthetestimonysought,andtheotheropportunitiesavailabletothechildtodisclosetheinformationsoughtbydeposition.Rule8.060(d)(2)(G).Uponrequest,thecourtmustallowthechildtomakeanexparteshowingofgoodcauseforthetakingofadepositionofa“CategoryB”witness.Rule8.060(l)(2).Afterthefilingofapetition,uponapplicationandsubjecttoconstitutionallimitations,thecourtmay,bydirectionsastotime,place,andmethod,andonconditionsthatarejust,requirethechildinallproceedingsto:• Appearinalineup;• Speakforidentificationbyawitnesstotheoffense;• Poseforphotographsnotinvolvingareenactmentoftheoffense;• Tryonarticlesofclothes;• Permitthetakingofmaterialunderthefingernails;• Permitthetakingofmaterialsofthebody,whichinvolvenounreasonable

intrusion,includingbloodandhair;• Provideahandwritingsample;and• Submittoareasonablephysicalormedicalinspection.Rule8.060(f)(1).

Thecourtmayalsoorderadditionaldiscoveryasjusticemayrequire,onashowingthatsuchdiscoverywouldberelevantormaterial.Rule8.060(f)(2).OrdertoPerpetuateTestimonyAfterthefilingofapetition,andonreasonablenotice,apartymayapplyforanordertoperpetuatetestimony.Theapplicationmustbesupportedorverifiedbyaffidavitsofcrediblepeople,andmuststatethatthewitnesslivesbeyondthecourt’sjurisdictionormaybeunabletoattendcourtproceedings,orthattherearegroundstobelievethatthewitnesswillabsenthim-orherselffromthecourt’sjurisdiction;thatthetestimonyismaterial;andthatitisnecessarytotakethedepositiontopreventafailureofjustice.Rule8.060(e)(1).Iftheapplicationisdoneinatimelymannerandiswell-founded,thecourtmustorderacommissiontobeissuedtotakethedepositionofthewitnesstobeusedinsubsequentcourtproceedings.Rule8.060(e)(2).Thecommissionmuststatethetimeandplaceofthedepositionandmustbeservedonallparties.Rule8.060(e)(2).Thecourtmustalsoorderanydesignatedbooks,documents,ortangibleobjectsnotprivilegedbeproducedatthetimeofthedeposition.Rule8.060(e)(2).Thecommissionmaybeissuedtoanycourtreporter,totranscribethedepositionandfileitwiththecourt.Rule8.060(e)(2).

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SubsequentDutytoDiscloseIf,subsequenttocompliancewiththerulesofdiscovery,apartydiscoversawitness,evidence,ormaterialthatthepartywouldhavebeenunderadutytodiscloseorproducepreviously,thepartymustpromptlydiscloseorproducesuchinthesamemannerasrequiredbytherulesforinitialdiscovery.Rule8.060(h).UsesofDepositionsAnydepositiontakenmaybeusedatanyhearingbyanypartyforthepurposeofimpeachingthedeponent.Rule8.060(d)(3).Ifonlypartofthedepositionissubmittedintoevidencebyaparty,anadversepartymayincludeanyotherpartofthedepositionthatinfairnessoughttobeconsideredwiththepartsubmitted,andanypartycanofferanypartofthedepositionintoevidence.Rule8.060(d)(4).However,nodepositionmaybereadintoevidenceifthewitnesscanattendthehearing.Rule8.060(e)(3).Further,ifitappearsadeposedwitnesshasabsentedhim-orherselfasaresultofprocurement,threats,orinducementsbyoronbehalfofaparty,thedepositionmaynotbereadintoevidenceonbehalfofthatparty.Rule8.060(e)(3).

E. Sanctions

Ifatanytimeitisbroughttotheattentionofthecourtthatapartyhasfailedtocomplywiththerulesofdiscoveryoranorderissuedpursuanttoaruleofdiscovery,thecourtmay:• Orderthepartytocomplywithdiscoveryrequest;• Grantacontinuance;• Grantamistrial;• Prohibitapartyfromcallingawitnessnotdisclosed,orintroducingmaterialnot

disclosed;or• Enteranorderthecourtdeemsjustunderthecircumstances.Rule

8.060(m)(1)(A)-(E).

Ifcounselorapartynotrepresentedbycounselwillfullyviolatestherulesofdiscoveryoranorderbasedonanapplicablerule,thatcounselorpartynotrepresentedmaybesubjecttoappropriatesanctionsbythecourt.Rule8.060(m)(2).Thesanctionsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,contemptproceedingsagainsttheattorneyorpartynotrepresentedandanassessmentofcostsincurredbytheopposingpartywhenappropriate.Rule8.060(m)(2).

F. Record

Arecordshallbemadeofdiscoveryproceedings.Ifthecourtentersanordergrantingreliefafteranincamerainspectionorafteranexparteshowing,the

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completerecordmustbesealedandincludedintherecordsofthecourt,andmustbemadeavailabletotheappellatecourtshouldtherebeanappeal.Rule8.060(l)(3).

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DiversionaryProgramsA. Generally

Section985.125establishesthatlawenforcementagenciesorschooldistrictsmayestablishpre-orpost-arrestdiversionprograms,withthecooperationofthestateattorney.Asapartofanydiversionprogram,achildallegedtobedelinquentmayhavetosurrenderhisorherdriver’slicense,or,ifthechilddoesnotcurrentlyhaveadriver’slicense,refrainfromapplyingforadriver’slicenseforaperiodnotexceeding90days.§985.125(2).Ifthechildfailstocomplywiththerequirementsofthediversionprogram,thestateattorneymaynotifytheDepartmentofMotorVehiclesinwritingandrequestthedepartmentsuspendthechild’sdriver’slicenseforaperiodnotexceeding90days.§985.125(2).Theprocessforentranceintoadiversionprogrambeginsatintake.TheJuvenileProbationOfficer(JPO)servesastheprimarycasemanagerforthechild.§985.145(1).TheJPOreviewsanydocumentssubmittedastoprobablecauseandscreensthechild.§985.145(1)(a)-(c).Duringscreening,theJPOwilldeterminewhetherthechildiseligibleforadiversionprogram,andifso,whichprogram.§985.145(1)(c).IftheJPOdeterminesthatthechildiseligibleforadiversionprogram,andthattheprogramwouldbeappropriateforthechild,theJPOwillreferthechildtotheselectedprogram.§985.145(1)(h).Theresultsofthescreening,alongwiththeJPOsrecommendations,aresubmittedtoDJJ,whocanpetitionastateattorneytoreviewtherecommendationwithin10daysofthestateattorney’sreceiptofthepetition.§985.145(1)(i).

B. TeenCourt

TheTeenCourtconceptwasinitiallydevelopedin1967,whenthePresident’sCommissiononLawEnforcementandAdministrationofJusticerecommendedreducingtherolejuvenilecourttookinhandlingjuvenileoffenders.1Theoriginatorsoftheteencourtmodelreasonedthatasystemallowingteenstoconfrontyouthfuldelinquentsabouttheirbehaviorcouldhaveapowerfulrehabilitativeeffect.2Asof2005,therewere1035TeenCourtsoperatingnationwide.3Itisestimatedthat,

1Seyfrit,C.L.,Reichel,P.L.,&Stutts,B.L.PeerJuriesasaJuvenileJusticeDiversionTechnique.18(3)YouthandSociety302(1987).2Weisz,V.,Lott,R.C.,&Thai,N.D.ATeenCourtEvaluationwithaTherapeuticJurisprudencePerspective.20BehavioralSciencesandtheLaw381(2002).3Pearson,S.S.&Jurich,S.YouthCourt:ACommunitySolutionforEmbracingAt-RiskYouth.ANationalUpdate.Washington,D.C.:AmericanYouthPolicyForum(2005).

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nationwide,between110,000and125,000teenoffendersareinvolvedinTeenCourteveryyear.4Thereare4commonTeenCourtmodels.TheAdultJudgeModelallowsteenstoactineveryrole(prosecutor,defense,bailiff,clerk,andjury)withanadultpresidingoverthehearing.5Theadult’sroleisminimal.ThePeerJuryModeldoesnotinvolveattorneys,butinstead,thejuryquestionstheoffenderdirectly,underthesupervisionofanadultjudge;thejuryisresponsibleforprovidingsanctions.6AthirdmodelistheYouthJudgeModel,whichresemblestheAdultJudgemodel,exceptthatateenservesasthejudgeasopposedtoanadult.7ThefourthmodeliscalledtheYouthTribunalModel,wherein3or4teenjudgesquestiontheoffenderandprovidesanctions.8Inthismodel,nojuryorattorneysarepresent,althoughanadultisintheroomtosupervisetheproceedings.9AccordingtotheFloridaAssociationofTeenCourts,the75FloridateencourtsalladheretotheAdultJudgeModel.10TeenCourtsallowfirsttimeoffendersanopportunitytohavetheircaseheardbyajuryoftheirpeers.Thejuryevaluatestheoffensecommitted,andprovidesappropriatesanctions.11Accordingtoa1998survey,themostcommonlyhandledoffensesaretheft,minorassault,disorderlyconduct,alcoholpossession,vandalism,andmarijuana.12Intermsofsanctionsprovided,juriesincludeelementsofcommunityservice,apology,writtenessays,teencourtjuryduty,andsubstanceabuseclasses.13Teencourthasbecomeawidelyuseddiversionprogrambecauseitencouragesproceduraljustice.Inmultiplestudies,theparticipantshavedemonstratedagreaterunderstandingofthelegalprocess,increasedbeliefinthefairnessoftheteencourtsystem,andincreasedbeliefinthetrustworthinessofauthority.14Additionally,useofateencourtdiversionprogramcanreduce“secondarydeviance”byreducing

4Id.5Godwin,T.M.PeerJusticeandYouthEmpowerment:AnImplementationGuideforTeenCourtPrograms.Washington,DC:AmericanProbationandParoleAssociation(1998).6Id.7Id.8Id.9Id.10Seehttp://www.flteencourt.net/formoreinformation.11Supranote3.12Butts,J.A.,&Buck,J.TeenCourts:Afocusonresearch.JuvenileJusticeBulletin(2000).13Id.14Logalbo,A.P.andCallahan,C.M.AnEvaluationofTeenCourtsasaJuvenileCrimeDiversionProgram.JuvenileandFamilyCourtJournal(Spring2001);Wells,J.B.,&Minor,K.I.AnEvaluationofKentucky’sTeenCourtPrograms.1995(Unpublishedmanuscript,onfileatEasternKentuckyUniversity).

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offenders’exposuretoformallabelingbyDJJ.15Qualifiedchildrenaredivertedtoteencourtandarenotconsidered“delinquent,”andthushaveadecreasedtendencytodefinethemselvesas“delinquent”andengageinfurtherdelinquentacts.16Additionally,teencourtisprimarilyaimedatprovidingrehabilitativesanctionsanddivertingoffendersawayfromthejuvenilejusticesystemandtowardsomethingmoreconventional.17Proceduraljustice,labelavoidance,andrehabilitativesanctionshavebeenshowntodecreasethelikelihoodofrecidivism.18TeenCourtsareauthorizedunder§938.19,andmaybeadministeredbyanonprofitorganization,alawenforcementagency,thecourtadministrator,theclerkofthecourt,oranothersimilaragencyauthorizedbytheboardofcountycommissioners.§938.19(6).

C. CivilCitation

Thecivilcitationprocessis“anefficientandinnovativealternativetocustodybytheDepartmentofJuvenileJustice…”§985.12(1).CivilCitationsaredesignedtobeusedforchildrenwhocommitnon-seriousdelinquentactsandtoensureswiftandappropriateconsequences.§985.12(1).Anylawenforcementofficer,uponmakingcontactwithachildwhohasadmittedtocommittinganon-seriousdelinquentact,mayissueacivilcitation.§985.12(1).AcopyofthecitationissuedmustbesenttoDJJ,thecountysheriff,thestateattorney,appropriateintakeofficeofDJJ,designatedcommunityservicemonitor,theparentorguardianoftheoffender,andthevictim.§985.12(1)&(3).Theofficermayassessnotmorethan50communityservicehourstothechild,andrequireparticipationininterventionprogramsappropriatetothechild,includingfamilycounseling,urinalysismonitoring,andsubstanceabuseormentalhealthtreatment.§985.12(1).Onceissuedacitation,thechildmustreporttothedesignatedcommunityservicemonitorwithin7businessdaysofthedateonthecitation.§985.12(4).Thecommunityservicemustbecompletedatarateofnolessthan5hoursperweek.§985.12(4).Themonitorwilladvisetheintakeofficeoncethechildhascompletedthecommunityservicerequirement.§985.12(4).Ifthechildfailstocomplywiththetermsofthecivilcitation,orifthechildcommitsasubsequentmisdemeanor,the

15Dugas,D.M.IstheEffectivenessofTeenCourtDependentonGender?2006(unpublishedmanuscript,onfileatUniversityofMaryland).16Matsueda,R.L.(1992).ReflectedAppraisals,ParentalLabeling,andDelinquency:SpecifyingaSymbolicInteractionistTheory.6AmericanJournalofSociology1577(1992).17Povitsky,W.TeenCourt:DoesitReduceRecidivism?2005(unpublishedmanuscript,onfileatUniversityofMaryland).18Supranotes14and17.

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lawenforcementofficermustissueareportallegingthatthechildcommittedadelinquentact,whichwillcausethejuvenileprobationofficertoprocesstheoriginaldelinquentactasareferraltotheDJJandreferthereporttothestateattorneyforreview.§985.12(6).Thechildmaychoosetorefuseacivilcitation–ifheorshedoesrefuse,thelawenforcementofficerwillrefertheoffendertotheintakeofficeofDJJ.§985.12(5).Thisoptionisavailabletothechildatanytimepriortothecompletionoftheassignedcommunityservice.§985.12(5).

D. JuvenileSubstanceInterventionProgram

Achildwhoischargedwithafelonyofthesecondorthirddegreeforthepurchaseofpossessionofacontrolledsubstance(perchapter893,FloridaStatutes),tamperingwithevidence,solicitationforpurchaseofacontrolledsubstance,orfraudulentlyobtainingaprescription,iseligibleforvoluntaryadmissionintoajuvenilepretrialsubstanceabuseinterventionprogram,includingadrugtreatmentcourtprogram.§985.345(1).Thelengthoftimeoftheprogramdependsontheprogramrequirementsandthetreatmentservicessuitabletothechild.§985.345(1).Admissionintoaprogramcanberequestedatthemotionofeitherparty,orbythecourt.§985.345(1).However,ifthechildallegedlycommittedaviolationofthelawandwasinvolvedindealingand/orsellingdrugsorothercontrolledsubstances,thecourtmustholdapreadmissionhearing.§985.345(1).Ifatthathearingthestateattorneyshows(byapreponderanceoftheevidence)thatthechildwasinvolvedinthedealingorsellingofcontrolledsubstances,thecourtmustdenyadmissiontoapretrialinterventionprogram.§985.345(1).Whileenrolledinatreatmentprogram,thechildissubjecttoacoordinatedstrategydevelopedbyadrugcourtteam.§985.345(2).Thestrategymayinclude,amongotherthings,ameansofsanctioninganoncompliantchild.Thesanctionsmayincludeplacementinasubstanceabusetreatmentcenter,ortimeinsecuredetention.§985.345(2).Anystrategymustbeprovidedtothechildinwritingbeforeheorsheagreestoanypretrialinterventionprogram.§985.345(2).Attheendoftheinterventionperiod,thecourtmustconsidertherecommendationsofthestateattorneyandpretrialdiversionprogramcoordinatorastothedispositionoftheyouth.§985.345(3).Thecourtmustfind,inwriting,thateitherthechildhassuccessfullycompletedthepretrialinterventionprogramorthechildhasnot.§985.345(3).Ifthecourtfindsthatthechildhasnotcompletedthepretrialprogram,thecourtmayorderthechildtocontinuetoattendaninterventionprogram(ifresourcesareavailable)ormayorderthatthechargesrevertbacktonormaldelinquencyprocedures.§985.345(3).Thecourtmaydismissthecharges

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onlyifthecourtfindsthatthechildhassuccessfullycompletedthepretrialinterventionprogram.§985.345(3).

E. Expunction

Apre-orpost-arrestdiversionprogrammayprovidefortheexpunctionofthenon-judicialarrestrecordifthechildsuccessfullycompletestheprogram.§985.125(3).Ifthechild’srecordsareexpunged,theymaystillbeavailabletocriminaljusticeagenciesfordeterminationsofeligibilityinpre-orpost-arrestdiversionprograms;theymayalsobeavailableiftherecordissoughtaspartofacriminalinvestigationorwhenthechildisacandidateforemploymentwithacriminaljusticeagency.§943.0582(2)(a)(1).However,foranyotherpurpose,thechildmaylegallydenyorfailtoacknowledgethearrestandchargeoftheexpungedrecord.§943.0582(2)(a)(1).Toexpungearecord,thechildmust:• Successfullycompleteapre-orpost-arrestdiversionprogramthatexpressly

permitsexpunctiontooccur,andthatisbasedonnonviolentmisdemeanorsthatdonotqualifyasactsofdomesticviolence;

• Submitanapplicationforexpunction,nolaterthan6monthsaftercompletionoftheprogram;

• Submitanofficialwrittenstatementfromthestateattorneycertifyingthecompletionoftheprogram,andthattheprogramwaslimitedtominorsarrestedfornonviolentmisdemeanorswhohavenotbeenotherwisechargedwithorfoundtohavecommittedanycriminaloffensesorcomparableordinanceviolations;and

• Havenever,priortoapplyingforexpunction,beenchargedwithorfoundtohavecommittedanycriminaloffensesorcomparableordinanceviolations.§943.0582(3)(a)-(f).

Expunctionofachargedoesnotpreventthechildfrompetitioningfortheexpunctionofalatercriminalrecord,ifthechildisotherwiseeligible.§943.0582(6).Thedepartmentisallowedtochargeaseventy-fivedollar($75)processingfeeforeachrequestforexpunctionunlessthefeeiswaivedbytheexecutivedirector.§943.0582(4).

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DomesticViolenceIssuesA. Statistics

Manyofthestatisticsinthissectionarepresentedasarange,asmanyresearchersinthisfieldcalculatetheirdatabasedoffofnationalsurveysandcensuses.1Eachyearitisestimatedthatbetween7millionand14millionchildren2areexposedtoviolenceagainsttheirmothersorfemalecaretakersbyotherfamilymembers.Childreninhomeswheredomesticviolenceoccursarephysicallyabusedorneglectedbetween9and15timeshigherthanthenationalaverage.3Inonestudy,morethan60percentofthechildrensurveyedwereexposedtoviolencewithinthepastyear,eitherdirectlyorindirectlyandnearlyone-halfofthechildrenandadolescentssurveyed(46.3percent)wereassaultedatleastonceinthepastyear.4Researchsuggeststhatbeingbatteredisthemostcommonfactoramongmothersofabusedchildren.Ithasbeenestimatedthat30–60%ofchildrenwhosemothersarebatteredarethemselvesvictimsofabuse.Childrenlivingwithanabusedmotherhavebeenfoundtobe12to14timesmorelikelytobesexuallyabusedthanchildrenwhosemotherswerenotabused.5Onerecentstudyfoundthat,intheUnitedStates,stepfathersabusechildrenunder5yearsoldtodeathatarateof55.9deathspermillionatriskchildrenperyear,comparedto5.6deathspermillionatriskchildrenperyearbybiologicalfathers.6Theauthorsofthestudynotedthatiftheyhadexpandedthedefinitionof“stepfather”toincludelive-inboyfriendsandothersimilarlysituatedrelationshiprolesandincludedalltypesofabuserelateddeaths(notjustbatteringdeaths),at

1JeffreyL.Edleson,AmandaL.Ellerton,EllenA.Seagren,StaciL.Kirchberg,SarahO.Schmidt,AmirithiT.Ambrose.AssessingChildExposuretoAdultDomesticViolence.ChildrenandYouthServicesReview2(2007).2Idat2-3,citingB.E.Carlson.Childrenexposedtointimatepartnerviolence:Researchfindingsandimplicationsforintervention.1Trauma,Violence,andAbuse4,(2000).3ToddHerrenkohl,CynthiaSousa,EmikoA.Tajima,RoyC.Herrenkohl,CarrieA.Moylan.IntersectionBetweenChildAbuseandChildren’sExposuretoDomesticViolence.Trauma,ViolenceandAbuse84(2008)at87.4DavidFinkelhor,HeatherTurner,RichardOrmrod,SherryHamby,KristenKracke.Children’sExposureToViolence:AComprehensiveNationalSurvey.OfficeofJuvenileJusticeandDelinquencyPrevention,JuvenileJusticeBulletin(October2009)at1.5SuzanneC.Swan,LauraJ.Gambone,JenniferE.Caldwell,TamiP.Sullivan,DavidL.Snow.AReviewofResearchonWomen’sUseofViolenceWithMaleIntimatePartners.23VictimsandViolence301(2008)at308.6MartinDaly,&MargoWilson.The“CinderellaEffect”:ElevatedMistreatmentofStepchildreninComparisontoThoseLivingwithGeneticParents.(2008)at2-3.

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riskchildrenlivingwitha“stepfather”wouldbe100timesmorelikelytobekilledthanchildrenlivingwithbiologicalparents.7However,abusedmothersindomesticviolencesituationsarealsomorelikelytoabusetheirchildren–8timesmorelikelythannon-abusedmothers.8Finally,asmanyas87%ofchildreninhomeswherethereisdomesticviolencebetweenparentswitnessit.9

B. TheeffectsofDomesticViolenceonchildren

Familyviolenceismoretraumaticformostchildrenthanstreetviolence.Thevictimsandperpetratorsaremostoftenpeoplethechildknowsintimatelyanddependsonforloveandprotection.10However,domesticviolencecanaffecteachchilddifferently.Onestudycoinedtheterm“adversitypackage”todescribethefactorsthatcanaccumulateinachild’slife;11thesefactorsincludechildabuse,parentalsubstanceabuse,mentalhealthdifficulties(intheparentsorinthechild),socialisolation,unemployment,homelessness,andinvolvementincrime.12Thepresenceorabsenceofmultiplefactorscanalterthechild’sreactiontodomesticviolence,bothintheshorttermandinthelongterm.13Amultitudeofstudieshavedemonstratedthatchildrenexposedtodomesticviolencetendtohaveworseproblemsthanthosenotexposed.14Andchildrenexposedtodomesticviolenceexperienceproblemsequallyasbadaschildrenphysicallyabusedorphysicallyabusedandexposedtodomesticviolence.15Examplesofhowchildrencanbephysicallyharmedbydomesticviolenceinclude:• Childrencanthemselvesbephysicallyabused;• Childrenoftentrytointervenetoprotecttheadultvictim,whichputsthemin

dangerfromtheabuser;

7Idat3.8LeighGoodmark.FromPropertytoPersonhood:WhattheLegalSystemShouldDoforChildreninFamilyViolenceCases.102W.Va.L.Rev.237(1999)at241.9Idat243.10HowDoesExposuretoViolenceAffectVeryYoungChildren?TheHarvardMentalHealthLetter,vol.11,No.7,January,1995.11StephanieHolt,HelenBuckley,&SadhbhWhelana.TheImpactofExposuretoDomesticViolenceonChildrenandYoungPeople:AReviewoftheLiterature.32ChildAbuseandNeglect797(2008)at803.12Id.13Id.14Supranote1at3.Thereissomecontroversyastohowsignificantthevarianceinproblemsbetweenaffectedchildrenversusunaffectedchildrenactuallyis,butstudiesallagreethereisavariation.15Idat4.

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• Domesticabusersmayusechildrentocontroltheadultvictimbyviolenceorthreatsofviolenceagainstthechildren.

StudiesmostoftenusetheChildBehaviorChecklisttoassesstheeffectofdomesticviolence.16Exposedchildrengenerallyexhibitmoreaggressivebehavior,antisocialbehavior,internalizedbehavior,lowersocialcompetenceandpooreracademicperformancethanthosenotexposed.17Adultdomesticviolencecanhaveotherdevastatingconsequencesforchildreninadditiontobodilyinjury.• Domesticviolencecandeprivechildrenofhousing,schooling,ormedicalcare.• Flightfromdomesticviolenceoftenleadstohomelessnessamongvictimsand

children,andisaprimaryreasonwhyadolescentsrunawayfromhome.18• Childrenexposedtodomesticviolenceoftenhavehigherratesofcognitive,

psychologicalandemotionalimpairmentsthanthosenotexposed.19

Anumberoflongtermeffectsonchildrenexposedtodomesticviolencehavealsobeendocumented,asfollows:• Psychologicalproblems,suchaswithdrawal,hypervigilance,nightmares,

anxiety,depression,lowself-esteem,andshame.20• Physicalsymptoms,oftenidentifiedasreactionstostress,includesleep

disorders,headaches,diarrhea,ulcers,asthma,anddepression.• Academicproblemssuchaspoorschoolperformance,truancy,absenteeism,

difficultyconcentrating,andschoolfailure.21• Socialandbehavioralproblems,suchasinabilitytoformtrustingrelationships,

aggressiveorviolentbehavior,andsubstanceabuse.Anexposedchildismorelikelytobephysicallyaggressivetowardothersinthecommunity,22andiseighteentimesmorelikelytobephysicallyaggressivetowardhisorherparents.23

Therearealsoeffectsonchildrenexposedtoviolencethatcanlastanentirelifetime,including:

16JeffreyL.Edleson,inconsultationwithBarbaraNissley.EmergingResponsestoChildrenExposedtoDomesticViolence.NationalOnlineResourceCenteronViolenceAgainstWomen(October2006)at2.17Id.18W.Richie.TheImpactofDomesticViolenceontheChildrenofBatteredWomen.Children’sAidSocietyNewsletter(Spring,1992)at3.19Supranote2at89.20Id.21Id.22Supranote16at2.23Supranote11at801.

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• Depression;• Eatingdisordersandotherhealthproblems;• Druguseandalcoholism;and• Criminality.24Finally,onestudyfoundthatthereis“anintergenerationaltransmissionrateof30%whichcanmanifestitselfinmanyways.”25Atwelve-yearstudyfoundthatchildrenexposedtoviolencewerealmosttwiceaslikelytoexperienceviolenceintheirownadultrelationships.26Itshouldbenotedthatcurrentresearchissomewhatconflictingregardingtheeffectsofabuseonchildren.Whileseveralstudiessupporttheinformationprovidedabove,twostudiesfoundthatmanychildrensuffernogreaterproblemsthanchildrennotexposedtodomesticviolence.27Further,onearticlesuggestedthatthevariancefoundinpapersisaresultofvaguedefinitionsorretrospectiveaccounts.28Forexample,researchersdifferonhowtodefinetermssuchas“exposuretodomesticviolence”andwhatactsconstituteadultdomesticviolence.29

C. HowtoAscertainwhetherDomesticViolencemaybePresent

Domesticviolencecanbeverydifficulttodetect.Oftenchildrenandparentsorguardianswillnotdiscloseincidentsofdomesticviolencebecauseofthepervasivefearthatdisclosurewillresultinthechildbeingremovedfromthehome.IfDJJand/orDCFhasnotnotifiedthecourtthatdomesticviolenceispresent,itisverylikelybecausetheyhavenotencounteredanyevidenceofabuseduringtheirinvestigation.However,asdomesticviolencecanbeconcealedfromcaseworkers,investigators,andotherprofessionalstrainedtolookforit,thefollowingaresignsofdomesticviolenceinchildrenandadults.Thepresenceorabsenceofsuchsignsdoesnotnecessarilycorrelatetothepresenceorabsenceofdomesticviolence.However,theyaresignsthattheremightbedomesticviolence,thusprovidingthecourtanopportunitytoexaminemorecloselyfordomesticviolence.30

24Supranote3at89.25Supranote11at805.26Id.27Supranote1at4.28Idat3.29Id.30Wherethearticleshereunderdiscussthesignsofabuseassignalsforparents,thesesignsmaybepresentinabusiveandabusedjuvenilesalso.

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Childrenhaveseveralcuesthattheymaybelivingwithsomeformofviolence.Thesecuesinclude:• Physicalviolencetowardsanimalsorpeople;• Aggressivebehavior;• Substanceoralcoholabuse;• Difficultypayingattention;or• Withdrawnorabsenceofemotions;• Anxietyorhyper-vigilance;• Risk-takingbehaviors• Problemsinschool;• Difficultywithpeerrelationships.31Therearemanypossiblesignsofanabusiveparty.Thesignsthatsuggestpossibledomesticviolencearethosethatindicatedisrespecttowardoneparty.32Theycanbebrokenintotwosections,generalsignsandbehaviorincourt.Generalsignsofabusivepartiesmayinclude:• Authoritariandemeanororparentingstyle;• Under-involvedinfamilymembers’lives;• Consideringthemselvessuperiorinallaspectsoffamilylife;• Placinglittletonovalueonabusedparty’sabilities;or• Continuouscriticismofabusedparty.33Behavioralsignalsincourtofabusivepartiesmayinclude:• Claimingtheotherpartyisstupidorinflexible;• Angeringeasily;• Attemptingtoportrayhim/herselfasthetruevictim;• Attemptingtoengendersympathywiththecourt;• Anunwillingnesstounderstandanother’sperspective;• Advocatingoradheringtostrictgenderroles;• Patronizingtheotherparty,counsel,orthecourt;• Attemptingtocreateanalliancewiththecourt;• Minimizing,denying,blamingtheotherpartyfor,orexcusinginappropriate

behavior;34or

31NationalCouncilofJuvenileandFamilyCourtJudges,AJudicialChecklistforChildrenandYouthExposedtoViolence.(2006)at2.32Idat8.33JonathonW.Gould,DavidA.Martindale,MelisseH.Eidman.AssessingAllegationsofDomesticViolence.4JournalofChildCustody1(2007)at30.34Supranote31at9.

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• Speakingmorethanseventy-fivepercent(75%)ofthetime.35Therearesignstolookforintheabusedpartyalso.Thesesignsinclude:• Difficultypresentingevidence(perhapsfromfear,abuse,orthebeliefthatshe

willnotbebelieved);• Inappropriateresponseresultingfromfear,depression,stressorotherabuse;• Anxiousorunfocusedinthepresenceoftheabusiveparty;• Aggressiveorangrywhentestifying;• Stressorduresswhenotherpartyistestifying;or• Appearnumb,disinterested,orunaffected.36Thereareothersignsthatabusemaybepresent.Thesesignsmaybedisplayedbyeitherparty,andmaymeandifferentthings,dependingonwhethertheyaredisplayedbytheabuserortheabused.Thesesignsinclude:• Onepartyalwayswaitsfortheothertospeakfirst.Thiscouldbeanindicatorof

controlifdonebytheabuserorfearifdonebytheabused.• Onepartyglancesattheothereachtimeheorshespeakstocheckforthe

other’sreaction.Thiscouldbeanindicatorofintimidationifdonebytheabuserorfearoflaterretributionifdonebytheabused.

• Onepartyexcuseseveryconflictdiscussed.Thiscouldbeasignthateitherpartyisattemptingtominimizetheabuse.

• Onepartysendstheotherfacialcues.Thiscouldbeasignofanumberofissues.Ifdonebytheabuser,itcouldbeasignofcontrolorintimidation.Ifdonebytheabused,itcouldbeasignoffearorapology.37

D. Bestpracticesindelinquencycasesinvolvingdomesticviolence

Thisbestpracticesmodelisintendedtoserveassuggestedguidelinesforhowdomesticviolenceshouldbesafelyhandledindelinquencycases.Itspurposeistoprovideguidanceonissuesrelatedtodomesticviolenceindelinquencycases.

FlexibilityofResponseThroughoutthedelinquencyprocess,wheneverdomesticviolenceispresent,trytoremainflexibleinrespondingtotheproblem.Ensureabusedpartieshaveaccesstosupportresourcessotheymaydevelopplanstoreduceoreliminatethedangersof

35AlexandriaZylstra.MediationandDomesticViolence:APracticalScreeningMethodforMediatorsandMediationProgramAdministrators.2001J.Disp.Resol.253(2001)at275.36Supranote31at10.37Supranote35at256-257.

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domesticviolence.38Considereachchild’ssituationincontextandinlightofwhatishelpfulandsafeforindividualfamilymembers.39Avoidautomaticallyreferringajuveniletoastandardsetofprocessesandservices;40instead,trytodeterminewhichinterventions41areappropriateforeachyouthbasedonthespecificcharacteristicsorpatternsofviolence.42

NeedforConfidentialityThedelinquencycourtisresponsibleforalargevolumeofinformation,oftensensitiveorconfidential.Thisresponsibilityisheightenedwhenthereisdomesticviolencepresent.Whenmakingdecisionsandpoliciesaboutinformationdisclosure,balance:• theneedforinformationrequiredtoprovetheoccurrenceofchildmaltreatment

andtokeepchildrensafe,with• theneedofbatteredpartiestokeepinformationconfidentialinorderto

maintainandplaneffectivelyfortheirsafety.43

Informationthatshouldbeverycarefullyprotectedincludesthevictim’ssafetyplanandcurrentaddress.44Form12.980(h),whichisusedinthedomesticviolenceinjunctionprocess,isthemechanismforapetitionertorequesthisorheraddressbekeptconfidential.Finally,intheeventthatvictimsareaskedtowaivetheir

38SusanSchechter,withJeffreyEdleson,withmajorcontributionsbyLeonardEdwards,LindaSpears,AnnRosewater,ElizabethStoeffel.EffectiveInterventioninDomesticViolenceandChildMaltreatmentCases:GuidelinesforPolicyandPractice.NationalCouncilofJuvenileandFamilyCourtJudges(1999)at22.39NancyVerSteegh,&ClareDalton.ReportfromtheWingspreadConferenceonDomesticViolenceandFamilyCourts.(2007)at17.40Idat16.41Onearticleincludedalistofresources,including:lethalityassessment;batterers’treatmentandangermanagementprograms;alcoholanddrugtreatment;dual-diagnosisconsultantsandtreatment;victimsupportandtreatment;post-traumaticstressgroups;therapy;mediation;supervisedaccessandexchangefacilities;reunificationtherapists;parentingcoordination;assistanceinimplementingcourt-orderedparentingplans;treatmentfortraumatizedchildren;parentingwithoutviolenceclasses;parentingeducation,skillstraining,andcoaching;custodyevaluation;childprotectionservices;protectiveorders;removalofweapons;criminalpenalties;courtorderswithtriggers;suspendedorsupervisedvisitation;casemanagement;interpreterservices;housingandemploymentsupervisedaccessandexchangefacilities;reunificationtherapists;parentingcoordination;assistanceinimplementingcourt-orderedparentingplans;treatmentfortraumatizedchildren;parentingwithoutviolenceclasses;parentingeducation,skillstraining,andcoaching;custodyevaluation;childprotectionservices;protectiveorders;removalofweapons;criminalpenalties;courtorderswithtriggers;suspendedorsupervisedvisitation;casemanagement;interpreterservices;housingandemploymentassistance;immigrationservices;establishingchildsupportandpaternity;childcare;andadvocacy.Wingspread,idat17-18.42Idat17.43Supranote38at42.44Idat43.

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privilegeregardingconfidentialinformation,verifythatthevictimunderstandstheimplicationsofsuchawaiver.45

InitialHearingsManybatteredpartiesareafraidtoadmitthattheyarevictimsofabuse.Thus,theabsenceofallegationsofabusedoesnotmeandomesticviolenceisnotpresent.Recognizethatabusevictimsmayattempttohidetheproblemforreasonswhichincludefear,shame,orembarrassment.46Ineverycase,trytospotthesignsofabuseasearlyaspossible.Theearlierinacasesignsofabuseandcoerciveorcontrollingbehaviorscanberecognized,thefastertheresponsetocreateasafeenvironmentforthechildand/orvictim.47Ifthechildistheabuseranddomesticviolenceisalleged,andthechilddoesnotmeetthedetentioncriteria,thechildmaybeplacedinsecuredetentionifthecourtmakesspecificfindingsthat:• Respitecareforthechildisnotavailable.• Itisnecessarytoplacethechildinsecuredetentioninordertoprotectthe

victimfrominjury.§985.255(2)(a)&(b).Asidefromthisprovision,thechildshallbeprocessedinthesamemannerasanyotherchildallegeddelinquent.DutytoReportIfthechildisormaybeavictimofdomesticviolence,thecourtmustreportanyknowledgeorsuspicionofabusetotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilies.§39.201(1)(a).Ajudgemakingareportmustincludehisorhername;thisinformationisconfidentialandexemptexceptasprovidedin§39.202.§39.201(1)(b).

CourtroomPracticesThefollowingisalistofbestpracticesfordelinquencyhearingswheredomesticviolenceispresent.

Judgesshouldpromoteacultureofpatienceandcourtesythroughoutthecourtsystemsothateveryoneistreatedwithdignityandrespect.48

45Idat44.46JerryJ.Bowles,KayeK.Christian,MargaretB.Drew,KatherynL.Yetter.AJudicialGuidetoChildSafetyinCustodyCases.NationalCouncilofJuvenileandFamilyCourtJudges(2008)at20.47Idat19.48Supranote38at101.

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• Insistthatanyattorneyspresenttreatallpartieswithrespect.Iftheabusiveparty’sattorneyisallowedtobedisrespectfultowardtheopposingparty,oranywitnesses,thatbehaviorservestoempowertheabusivepartyandcantherebyincreasethesafetythreattotheat-riskparty.

• Becausetheat-riskpartymayneedadditionaltimetoanswerquestions,insistthateachpartyisgivenadequatetimetorespond.

• Insistthatcounselmaintainarespectfuldistancefromthewitness.• Warnthepartiesandcounselagainsttheuseofsarcasticorotherdisrespectful

remarksortone.• Considerimposingsanctionsforthecontinueduseofdisrespectfultone,

remarks,ortactics.• Watchoutforandintervenetostopanycontrollingnon-verbalbehaviorbyone

partytowardtheother.49

Toensuresafetyduringthecourseofthehearingswhenthereissuspicionthatonepartyhasbeencontrolledbytheotherparty:• Informsecuritythatthesuspectedabusivepartymustbekeptasafedistance

fromtheat-riskparty.Thismayincludeescortingtheat-riskpartyintoandoutofthecourthouse.50o Physicallyseparatethepartiesinthewaitingareaandinthecourtroomto

ensurethatthereisnocommunicationbetweenthem.51• Considerusingtheservicesofavictimadvocateinthecourtroom.52

Inadditiontothesepractices,encouragethesamecaseworkerandattorneyforthechildrenandpartiestoappearatallhearingsonthecase.53Finally,rememberthattheat-riskpartymaybere-traumatizedbythepresenceoftheabusiveparty,whichmayaffecthisorhertestimonyandwhetherornotitwillbepresented.54DraftingOrdersAsageneralguide,ordersshouldbedraftedwiththefollowinggoalsinmind:• keepingthevictimsafe;

49ThomasD.Lyon,MindyB.Mechanic.DomesticViolenceandChildProtection:ConfrontingtheDilemmasinMovingFromFamilyCourttoDependencyCourt.HANDBOOKONCHILDREN,CULTURE,ANDVIOLENCE(N.Dowd,D.Singer,&R.F.Wilson2005)at13.50Id.51OfficeoftheStateCourtsAdministrator,Florida’sDomesticViolenceBenchbook(2008)at8.52Id.53Supranote38at101.54Supranote49atcard4.

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• identifyingtheserviceneedsofthechild,includingallformsofassistanceandhelp;and

• rehabilitationandaccountabilityfortheperpetrator.55

ThecourtshouldtakesufficienttimetoexamineeachcasecarefullyandthenregularlyrevieweachcasetoensurethatcourtordersarecarriedoutbyDJJ,DCF,orotherserviceproviders.56Setadateinafewmonthstoreviewcomplianceandanydifficultiesthatthechildmightbeexperiencing.57Inthisfashiontheorderscanbetailoredtoeachspecificcaseandmonitoredforeffectiveness.

Iftheyouthistheabuser,considerorderinghimorhertoacertifiedBatterer’sInterventionProgram.Iftheyouthisnottheabuser,buthasbeenabusedorhaswitnessedabuse,considerorderingtheyouthtocounselingfordomesticviolence-relatedmentalhealthissues.

Avoiddraftingordersthatmandatealargeportionoftimeinwhichtheabusedpartyandabusivepartyareincontact.Promotingparent–childcontactwherepartiesarepronetobecomephysicallyviolentmaycreateopportunitiesforreneweddomesticviolence.58

55Supranote38at107.56Supranote38at101.57Supranote49at34.58PeterG.Jaffe,JanetR.Johnston,ClaireV.Crooks,NicholasBala.CustodyDisputesInvolvingAllegationsofChildAbuse:TowardaDifferentiatedApproachtoParentingPlans.46FamilyCourtReview500(2008)at502.

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CommonEvidenceIssuesA. InvestigatoryStopsversusConsensualEncounters

Thereisamarkeddifferencebetweenconsensualencountersandinvestigatorystops.Aconsensualencounterisoneinwhichthecitizenisundernoobligationtocomplywiththeofficer’srequests,andmayfreelyignoretherequestsandleaveatanytime.1Assuch,noconstitutionalsafeguardsareinvoked.2Aninvestigatorystop,ontheotherhand,ismadebasedonwell-founded,articulablesuspicion.3Atthislevel,thepoliceofficercanreasonablydetainthecitizentemporarilytoascertainwhetheranyviolationsoflawhaveorareabouttooccur.4Constitutionalprotectionssuchasthe4thamendmentareinvolvedininvestigatorystops.5Adeterminationastowhetherastopwasconsensualorinvestigatoryrevolvesaroundthequestionofwhetherachildwouldreasonablyfeelfreetodisregardthepoliceandleave.6Suchadeterminationcoulddependonfactorssurroundingthestopsuchasthe"threateningpresenceofseveralofficers,thedisplayofaweaponbyanofficer,somephysicaltouchingofthepersonofthecitizen,ortheuseoflanguageortoneofvoiceindicatingthatcompliancewiththeofficer'srequestmightbecompelled."7Whereapoliceofficerdoesnotaskwhetherachildmindstalkingtohimorherandansweringquestions,butinsteaduseswordsofcompulsiontoorderachildtoengagewiththepoliceofficer,theencounterisnotconsensual,butisinsteadinvestigatory.8Indeterminingwhetherastopwasconsensualorinvestigatory,examinewhether,underatotalityofthecircumstances,areasonablepersonwouldhavefeltatlibertytoignorethepolicepresenceandgoonwithhisorherbusiness.9Whereevidencewasseizedunderastopdeterminedtobeinvestigatoryratherthanconsensual,verifythatthepoliceofficerhadtheappropriatereasonablesuspiciontoperformthestop.

1Popplev.State,626So.2d185(Fla.1993).2Idat186.3Id.4Id.5Id.6P.W.v.State,965So.2d1197(Fla.4thDCA2007)at1199.7UnitedStatesv.Mendenhall,446U.S.544(1980)at554.8D.G.v.State,714So.2d644(Fla.4thDCA1998)at646.9Caldwellv.State,985So.2d602(Fla.2dDCA2008)at606.

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B. BodySearches

Ithasbeenwell-establishedthatalawfullyarrestedpersoncanbesearchedwithouttheneedforasearchwarrant.10However,whereapersonhasnotbeenlawfullyarrestedbutisinsteadonlydetainedbythepoliceinaninvestigatorystop,theabilitytosearchthedetainedpersonisseverelylimited.UnderFlorida’sStopandFriskLaw,§901.151,alawenforcementofficermayperformaverylimitedsearchofthepersononlywhentheofficerhasprobablecausetobelievethatthepersonisarmedwithadangerousweaponandthereforeoffersathreattothesafetyoftheofficeroranyotherperson.Thelimitedsearchmaynotinitiallygobeyonda“patdown.”11Onlyiftheofficerfeelsanobjectheorshereasonablybelievestobeaweaponmaytheofficerseizetheobject.12Courtshaveheldittobeunreasonableforapoliceofficer,withnobasisforsuspectingtheyouthhadaweapon,toperformaweaponssearchwhentheofficerhasnotperformedapatdownfirst.13Evenwhenachildputsahandinapocketinnon-compliancewithanordertoshowbothhands,theStopandFriskLawonlypermitsapatdownsearch,afterwhichaweapon,iffound,maybeseized.14

C. VehicleSearches

Whereapersonvoluntarilyconsentstoasearchofhisorhervehicle,thesearchmustbedonewithintheconstraintsofthatconsent.15Themeasureoftheconsent–andwhatpreciselyitcontains–canbedeterminedbyatestofobjectivereasonableness:whatanordinaryreasonablepersonwouldhaveunderstoodtobethescopeofconsentbytheexchangebetweentheofficerandtheconsentingperson.16Whereconsentisgiven,butlimitedduetoalockedcontainer,andafterarequestbythepoliceforthecontainertobeopenwasdenied,theconsentiseffectivelylimited,bydenial,toexcludethelockedcontainer.17Whenapersonhasbeenarrested,avehiclecanbesearchedasacontemporaneousincidenttothearrest.18However,thisabilityisnotunlimited.Whilethearrestedpersondoesnotneedtobeinthevehicleatthetimeofarrestandsearch,heorshe

10UnitedStatesv.Robinson,414U.S.218(1973).11D.B.A.v.State,962So.2d406(Fla.2dDCA2007)at407.12Id.13L.C.v.State,2009WL3763278(Fla.3dDCA2009).14Supranote11.15Davisv.State,594So.2d264(Fla.1992)at266(quotingUnitedStatesv.Blake,888F.2d795(11thCir.1989)at800).16J.J.V.v.State,17So.3d881(Fla.4thDCA2009)at884(quotingFloridav.Jimeno,500U.S.248,(1991)at251).17Idat885-886.18Thorntonv.UnitedStates,541U.S.615(2004)at617.

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doesneedtobein"closeproximity,bothtemporallyandspatially”tothevehicle.19Therationaleforasearchwhenthearrestedpersonisincloseproximitytothevehicleisthatthearrestedpersonisstillabletodestroyevidenceinthevehicleand/orlungeforaweapon20,makingasearchofthevehicleasafetyprecautionaswellasanevidencepreservationmethod.However,theabilitytosearchthevehiclehingesontheproximaltimeanddistancethevehicleisfromthesuspect.Whereanarresteeis30-60feetfromthevehicle,aftera35minutelapsefromthetimethearresteeexitedthevehicle,andthearresteenolongerhaskeystothevehicle,thearresteeisnolongerincloseproximity,neitherspatiallynortemporally,tothevehicle.21Assuch,searchofthevehicleincidenttothearrestwouldrenderanyevidencefoundasinadmissibleunderthattheory.

D. StandardsinaSchoolSetting

Inparticular,standardsforsearchesinaschoolsettingareuniquetodelinquencycourts.Inaschoolsetting,thestandardforconductingawarrantlesssearchisdifferentthanthestandardneededoutsideofschool.Outsideofschool,thestandardisprobablecause;insidetheschool,thelawenforcementofficerneedsonlytohavereasonableorfoundedsuspicion.22Further,thisreasonablesuspicionisconsideredfromtheviewpointofareasonableofficerwiththeactualofficer’strainingandexperience.23Thereasonablesuspicionmustbebasedon“specificandarticulablefactsthat,whentakentogetherwiththerationalinferencesfromthosefacts,reasonablywarranttheintrusion."24A“hunch”or“intuition”aloneisaninsufficientbasisfora“reasonablesuspicion,”uponwhichawarrantlesssearchrelies.25Ifanofficerisjustifiedinorderingajuveniletoemptyhisorherpockets,suchanorderisequivalent,for4thamendmentpurposes,totheofficersearchingthejuvenilebyreachinginsidethejuvenile’spockets.26

E. WeaponsIssues

Section790.001(13)definesaweaponasany“dirk,knife,metallicknuckles,slungshot,billie,teargasgun,chemicalweaponordevice,orotherdeadlyweaponexceptafirearmoracommonpocketknife,plasticknife,orblunt-bladedtableknife.”Commonpocketknivesaredescribedincaselawasaknifewithabladethatcanbefoldedintothehandlethatiscarriedintheclosedpositionandthathasno

19Idat619.20Idat621.21A.T.P.v.State,973So.2d650(Fla.2dDCA2008)at653.22R.B.v.State,975So.2d546(Fla.3dDCA2008)at547.23Idat548.24C.G.v.State,941So.2d503(Fla.3dDCA2006)at504.25C.A.v.State,977So.2d684(Fla.3dDCA2008)at686.26Supranote22at548.

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weapon-likecharacteristics(hiltguardornotchedgrip,forexample).27Additionally,ifthepocketknife’sbladeisfourinchesorless,theknifeisconsideredacommonpocketknife.28Adeadlyweaponisdefinedasanitemwhich,ifusedintheordinarymannercontemplatedbyitsdesign,islikelytocauseseriousbodilyharmordeath.29Whethertheitemisadeadlyweaponisafactualquestiondeterminedbyconsideringsize,material,andmannerinwhichitwasusedorcouldbeused.30Severalexamplecaseshavedemonstratedtheanalysisthecourtsengageinwhendeterminingwhetheranobjectisa“deadlyweapon.”31Asdiscussedabove,whenalawenforcementofficerhasprobablecausetobelieveachildmaybecarryingadangerousweapon,thatofficermayengageinalimitedsearchcalleda“patdown”todetermineifthechildisinfactcarryingadangerousweapon.32Onlyiftheofficerfeelsanobjectthatheorshereasonablybelievestobeadangerousweaponmayheorsheseizetheweapon.33

27SeeJ.R.P.v.State,979So.2d1178(Fla.3dDCA2008)foranexample.28L.B.v.State,700So.2d370(Fla.1997)at372.29J.W.v.State,807So.2d148(Fla.2dDCA2002)at149.30Simmonsv.State,780So.2d263(Fla.4thDCA2001)at265.31SeeD.B.B.v.State,997So.2d484(Fla.2dDCA2008)(abicyclethrown10feetfromtheintendedvictimthatonlytraveled5feetwasnotadeadlyweapon);E.J.v.State,554So.2d578(Fla.3dDCA1989)at579(determiningthataskateboardthrownatavehiclewasnotadeadlyweapon);Forchionv.State,214So.2d751(Fla.3dDCA1968)at752(findingthatatwofootlongpartofabroomhandlethrownfromtwelvetofifteenfeetawaywasnotadeadlyweapon);Roganv.State,203So.2d24(Fla.3dDCA1967)at25(concludingthataone-footdiameterflowerpotfilledwithdirt,whichwasthrownthroughthewindowofaresidence,didnotqualifyasadeadlyweaponwherethevictimwasseatedfivefeetfromthewindow).32Supranote11.33Id.

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ImmigrationIssuesJuvenileadjudicationsofdelinquencyarenot,forthepurposesoftheImmigrationandNaturalizationAct(INA),considered“convictions.”1AsmostoftheprovisionsintheINA’sDeportableAliensection(8CFR1227)aretriggeredonlywherethereisaconviction,adjudicationsofdelinquencydonotoftenresultincontactwithImmigrationandNaturalizationService(INS).However,therearecertainoffensesin§1227thatdonotrequireaconvictiontorenderanoncitizenjuveniledeportable.Theseoffensesinclude:

• Anyalienwhois,oratanytimeafteradmissionhasbeen,adrugabuseroraddict,8CFR1227(a)(2)(B)(ii);

• Anyalienwho,atanytimeafteradmission,isenjoinedunderavalidprotectionorderandwhomthecourtdetermineshasengagedinconductthatviolatestheportionofaprotectionorderthatinvolvesprotectionagainstcrediblethreatsofviolence,repeatedharassment,orbodilyinjurytothepersonorpersonsforwhomtheprotectionorderwasissued,8CFR1227(a)(2)(E)(ii);

• Anyalienwhoengagesinorattemptstoengageinhumantrafficking,orwhohasbeenaknowingaider,abettor,assister,conspirator,orcolluderwithsuchatraffickerinsevereformsoftraffickinginpersons,8CFR1227(a)(2)(F);

• Anyalienwhofalselyrepresents,orhasfalselyrepresented,himselftobeacitizenoftheUnitedStatesforanypurposeorbenefitunderthischapteroranyFederalorStatelaw,8CFR1227(a)(3)(D);and

• Anyalienwhohasengaged,isengaged,oratanytimeafteradmissionengagesinespionage,sabotage,oranyothercrimethatendangerspublicsafetyornationalsecurity.8CFR1227(a)(4)(A).

Furthermore,anadjudicationofguiltmayresultindeportationevenifitdidnotstemfromoneoftheaboveoffenses.IfthedispositionorderedforthechildincludesasubstantialperiodoftimeinthecustodyofDJJ,anoncitizenjuvenilemaybedeportable.Additionally,ifanoncitizenjuvenileisdeterminedtobeincompetentandisorderedintoDCF’scustodyforasubstantialperiodoftime,thejuvenilemaybedeportable.Section1227(a)(5)says,“anyalienwho,withinfiveyearsafterthedateofentry,hasbecomeapublicchargefromcausesnotaffirmativelyshowntohavearisensinceentry…”Publicchargehasbeendefinedasbecomingprimarilydependentonthegovernmentforsubsistence,asdemonstratedbyreceiptofpublicassistance,orinstitutionalizationforlong-termcareatgovernmentexpense.2(emphasisadded)

1InreDevison,22I&NDec.1362(BIA2000).2U.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices.QuestionsandAnswers:PublicCharge.USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(May,1999),availableathttp://www.uscis.gov/files/article/public_cqa.pdf.

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Asaresult,therearecircumstanceswhereanoncitizenjuvenilemaynotbefullyawareoftheconsequencesofapossiblenolocontendereorguiltyplea.Thus,thecourtmayincludeinitscolloquythatisprovidedpriortodeterminingthevoluntarinessofanolocontendereorguiltypleaashortstatementaboutthepossibilityofdeportationforcertainactsorconsequences,asindicatedintheArraignmentHearingSectiononpage125-126.

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InterpretersforForeignLanguagesThecourtwilloftenbepresentedwithindividualswhocannotcommunicateproperlyinEnglish.ItmaybethattheindividualdoesnotspeakEnglishatallorspeakslimitedEnglishinsufficientforcourtcommunications.Insituationssuchasthese,thecourtmustbeabletoidentifythecommunicationbarriers,determinethebestmethodforsurmountingtheobstacle,andprovideanindividualorservicecapableofresolvingtheproblem.1

A. IdentifyNeedforInterpretingServices

Thefirstthingthecourtmustdoisidentifythatacommunicationproblemexists.Itmaybethecasethatthepersoninneedofservicesrequestsinterpreterservices,oranon-courtpersonnelinitiallydeterminesthataninterpreterisneededandcommunicatessuchtothecourt.2However,thecourtmaynothaveanyindicationthatinterpreterservicesarerequireduntilthepersoninneedofservicesisinthecourtroomduringahearing.Inwhatevermannerthecourtlearnsoftheneedforservices,oncetheneedisidentified,thecourtmustdeterminewhetherandwhattypeofinterpreterserviceisrequired.TheRulesofJudicialAdministrationspecifyinwhichcircumstancesaninterpreterisrequired,andwhenthecourtmayfindthattheservicesarenotrequired.3Wheretheproceedingisacriminalorjuveniledelinquencyproceeding,andthepersoninneedofservicesistheaccused,thecourtmustappointaninterpreterforthatperson.4Further,iftheproceedingisadependency,delinquency,orChildorFamilyinNeedofServicescase,courtinterpretingservicesarerequiredforeverypersonwhoisapartytothecase(includingparentsorguardians).5Ifthevictimisthepersoninneedofservices,thecourtmustappointaninterpreterunlessitfindsthatthevictimdoesnotrequirethoseservices.6Inallotherproceedings,aninterpreterforalitigantinneedofinterpretiveservicesmustbeappointedifthecourtdetermines“thattheinabilitytounderstandEnglishdeprivesthelitigantofanunderstandingofthecourtproceedings,thatafundamentalinterestisatstake(suchasinacivilcommitment,terminationofparentalrights,paternity,ordependency

1CommissiononTrialCourtPerformanceandAccountability,RecommendationsfortheProvisionofCourtInterpretingServicesinFlorida’sTrialCourts.DRAFT(2010)at10.2Idat11.3Fla.R.ofJud.Admin.2.560(2009),hereinafterreferredtoas“Rule2.560.”4Rule2.560(a).5CommitteeonTrialCourtPerformanceandAccountability.CourtInterpreters:ReportandRecommendations.(January2002)at13,availableonlineathttp://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/pubs/bin/CourtInterpretersFinalReport.pdf.6Id.

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proceeding),andthatnoalternativetotheappointmentofaninterpreterexists.”7Finally,inanyproceedingwhereawitnessisthepersoninneedofservicestheappointmentofaninterpreterisgovernedbytheapplicableprovisionsoftheFloridaEvidenceCode.8Ifthechildisnon-English-speakingorlimited-English-proficient,appointaninterpreter.Ifthevictimisnon-English-speakingorlimited-English-proficient,appointaninterpreterunlessthecourtfindsthatthevictimdoesnotrequiresuchservices.Rule2.560(a).Ifthewitnessisnon-English-speakingorlimited-English-proficient,appointmentofaninterpreterisgovernedbytheFloridaEvidenceCode.Rule2.560(c).Inmakingdeterminationsregardingtheappointmentofaninterpreter,ensurecompliancewiththerequirementsofTitleVIoftheCivilRightsActof1964.Rule2.560(d).Wheneverpossible,acertifiedorotherdulyqualifiedinterpreter,asdefinedintheRulesforCertificationandRegulationofSpokenLanguageCourtInterpreters,mustbeappointed.Rule2.560(e)(1).Preferenceisgiventoappointmentofcertifiedandlanguageskilledinterpreters,thentopersonsholdingaprovisionallyapproveddesignation.Rule2.560(e)(1)andRule14.100(a)-(e).If,afterdiligentsearch,acertifiedorotherdulyqualifiedinterpreterisnotavailable,thecourtmayappointaninterpreterwhoisregisteredwiththeOfficeofStateCourtsAdministrator.Thecourtmustmakeadetermination,ontherecord,thattheproposedinterpreteriscompetent.Rule2.560(e)(2).Ifnocertifiedorotherdulyqualifiedinterpreterisavailable,thecourtmayappointaninterpreternotcertifiedorqualifiedifthecourtfindsthatgoodcauseexists,suchasburdensomedelayorotherunusualcircumstance,andtheproposedinterpreteriscompetenttointerpret.Rule2.560(e)(3).SuchanappointmentislimitedtoaspecificproceedingandcannotbeextendedtosubsequentproceedingswithoutadditionalfindingsofgoodcauseandtherequirementssetforthinRules2.560(e)(3)and(4).Rule2.560(e)(5).IftheinterpreterisnotappointedunderRule2.560(e)(1),thecourtmustsoadvisethechild,ontherecord,andthechildmayobjectorwaivetheappointment.Rule2.560(e)(4).

B. PerformAssessmenttoDetermineNeeds

Whenthecourthasdeterminedthatthereisaneedforinterpretiveservices,thenextstepistodeterminewhichinterpretiveserviceismostappropriatebyperforminganassessmentoftheperson’sneeds.Iftheneedforserviceshasbeenidentifiedinadvanceoftheproceeding,thecourtcanusetheinformationsubmittedtoperformtheassessment.9Iftheperson’sneedsarenotidentifieduntilthepersonisincourt,thecourtshouldconductabriefquestionnaire,askingquestionsthat

7Rule2.560(b).8Rule2.560(c).9Supranote1at11.

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involvedescriptionsornarrationstodeterminetheextentofthecommunicationbarrierandtheservicesrequired.10WhenthecourtdeterminesthatapartyorwitnesscannotunderstandtheEnglishlanguage,orcannotexpresshim-orherselfinEnglishsufficientlytobeunderstood,thecourtmustbringinaqualifiedinterpreter.§90.606(1)(a).ThisisnotlimitedtoindividualswhospeakalanguageotherthanEnglish,butincludesanypersonwhocannotbereasonablyunderstood,orcannotreasonablyunderstandquestioningwithouttheaidofaninterpreter.§90.606(1)(b).

C. SelectionofInterpreter

Oncethecourthasdeterminedthataneedforinterpretiveservicesexists,andhasassessedtheextentofthecommunicationbarrier,thecourtmustselectaninterpreterfortheproceeding.11Typically,thecourtadministrationwillhavecontactswithappropriateinterpreters,andcanassignaninterpreterbasedonseveralfactors,suchas:thelanguageneeded,typeofcase,complexityofproceedings,qualificationsofinterpreter,location,andavailabilityofremoteinterpretingtechnology.12Wheneverpossible,acertifiedordulyqualifiedinterpretermustbeappointed.13Fornon-Englishinterpreters,certifiedhasbeendefinedas,“aninterpreterwhohascompletedthemandatoryrequirementsasdefinedbytheserulesandholdsavalidcertificateasacertifiedcourtinterpreterissuedbytheOfficeoftheStateCourtsAdministratorandisnamedintheregistryofcertifiedcourtinterpretersmaintainedbytheOfficeoftheStateCourtsAdministrator.”14Dulyqualifiedhasbeendefinedas,“aninterpreterwhohasobtainedapassinggradeonawrittenexamination,whohasattendedatwo-dayorientationprogramofferedbytheOfficeoftheStateCourtsAdministrator,whoisfamiliarwithPartIIIoftheserules,andwhohasanunderstandingofbasiclegalterminologyinbothlanguages.”15Theremaybesituationswhereacertifiedordulyqualifiedinterpretercannotalwaysbereadilyappointed;aninterpreterwhoisneitherdulyqualifiednorcertifiedmaybeappointedduringaproceeding,ifthecourtfindsthatgoodcauseexistsforsaidappointment,suchasburdensomedelayorotherunusualcircumstance,andthe

10Id.11Id.12Id.13Rule2.560(e)(1)andFla.Stat.90.6063(2).14RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters(hereinafter“Rule”),Rule14.100(a)(2009).15Rule14.100(b).

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proposedinterpreteriscompetenttointerpret.16Incriminalandjuveniledelinquencyproceedings,adefendantisallowedtoobjecttotheproposedappointmentofaninterpreterwhoisneitherdulyqualifiednorcertified.17

D. ProvisionofServices

Beforeprovidinganyinterpretiveservices,theinterpretermusttakeanoaththatheorshewillmakea“trueinterpretation”ofthequestionsaskedandtheanswersgiven,andthattheinterpreterwillmakea“truetranslation”intoEnglishanywritingthatheorsheisrequiredtotranslate.18Aninterpreterforadeaforhard-of-hearingpersonmustdemonstratethatheorsheisabletocommunicatereadilywiththepersoninneedofservicesandcanrepeatandtranslatecommunicationeasily.19Interpretersareexpectedtorendercompleteandaccurateinterpretationwithoutaltering,omitting,explaining,oraddinganythingtowhatthepersoninneedofservicescommunicates.20Further,interpretersareexpectedtobeimpartialandunbiased.Ifthereisanyrealorperceivedconflictofinterest,theinterpretermustdisclosesuchtothecourt.21Interpretersaresubjecttothesameprovisionsaswitnesses,22andmustprotecttheconfidentialityofallprivilegedandconfidentialinformation.23

E. ModesofInterpretingandServiceDeliveryMethods

Thereareseveralmodesofinterpretingthatmaybeavailabletothecourt.Thefirstisconsecutiveinterpretation,inwhichtheinterpreterrendersstatementsfromortothepersoninneedofservicestoorbythecourtintermittently,afterapausebetweenstatementsbythespeaker.24Consecutiveinterpretingmayrequirecommunicationsbetweenpartiestobebrokenbytheinterpreterintosmallutterancesthattheinterpreteriscapableofrememberingforinterpretation.Alternatively,theinterpretermayengageinsimultaneousinterpretation,renderinganinterpretationcontinuouslytothepersoninneedofservicesatthesametimethatthespeakeriscommunicating.25Simultaneousinterpretationisintendedtobe

16Rule2.560(e)(2).17Supranote1at12.18Fla.Stat.90.606(3)andFla.Stat.90.6063(7).19Fla.Stat.90.6063(6).20Rule14.310.21Id.22Fla.Stat.90.606(2).23Rule14.340andFla.Stat.90.6063(7).24Supranote1at12.25Id.

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receivedbythepersonbeingaddressedbythepersoninneedofservices;assuch,theinterpretermayuseequipmenttoensuretheinformationisreceivedproperlywithoutdisruptionstotheproceeding.26Anothermodeofinterpretingissighttranslation,whereintheinterpreterprovidesanoralrenditionofasourcetextfromonelanguagetoanother.27Finally,theinterpretercanengageintranslationservices,whereinheorshecreatesawrittendocumentinthetargetlanguagethataccuratelyreproducestheequivalentofthewrittensourcelanguagedocument.28Theaboveservicescanbedeliveredinavarietyofways.Commonly,theinterpreterisphysicallypresentattheproceeding.Thismaybedesirablewherethehearingwillbelengthyorcomplex,orwheretechnicalissuesorlimitationsmayexist.29Analternativetothisisremotetelephoneinterpretation,wheretheinterpreterusesastandardtelephonelineandaspeakerphonetoconsecutivelyorsimultaneouslyinterpretthecommunicationstoorfromthepersoninneedofservicesandthecourt.30Thismaybeusedwhenaninterpreterisunabletobepresentforthehearingduetodistanceorotherfactorsbutisstillavailabletointerpret.Asecondalternativeisremoteaudio/videointerpretation,whereinterpretersuseintegratedaudio-visualorinternet-basedsystemstofacilitatecommunication.31Theadvantagesofthissystemareevengreaterthanthosewithtelephonicinterpretation,asthevideocommentallowsaninterpretertoactuallyviewtheactivitiesinthecourtroomastheyareprovidingtheinterpretingservice,andaudiomixersallowforspeakerisolation.

26Id.27NationalAssociationofJudiciaryInterpretersandTranslators.TermsoftheProfession.(n.d.)availableonlineathttp://www.najit.org/Publications/Terms%20of%20the%20Profession.pdf.28Supranote1at13.29Id.30Id.31Id.

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InterstateCompactA. Generally

TheInterstateCompactisanagreementamongandbetweenthestatestocooperatewitheachotherinreturningchildrentostateswhentheirreturnissought,andinacceptingthereturnofchildrenwheneverachildresidinginastateisfoundorapprehendedinanotherstate.§985.801(2).TheCompactcanbefoundat§985.802.

B. RunawaysandEscapees–Procedure

ArticleIVoftheCompactdiscussesthereturnofrunaways,whileArticleVdiscussesthereturnofescapees.BothArticlesoperateinafunctionallysimilarmanner.Apersonoragencythathaslegalcustodyofachildwhohasnotbeenadjudicateddelinquentbuthasrunawaywithoutconsent,orachildadjudicateddelinquentwhohasescapedcustody,maypetitiontheappropriatecourtinthedemandingcourtforanissuanceofa“RequisitionfortheJuvenile’sReturn.”Thepetitionmusteitherstatesuchfactsastendtoshowthattheunemancipatedchildwhohasrunawayisendangeringhisorherownwelfareorthewelfareofothers,or(ifthechildhasbeenfounddelinquent)statetheparticularsofthechild’sadjudicationofdelinquencyandthecircumstancesofthebreach.Thepetitionmustbeverifiedbyaffidavit,andbeaccompaniedbycertifiedcopiesofdocumentsonwhichthepetitioner’sentitlementofthechild’scustodyisbased.Thecourttowhichthepetitionerappliesmayholdahearingtodeterminecustodyandemancipationstatusaswellaswhetheritisinthechild’sbestintereststobereturnedtothestate.Ifthecourtdetermines,withorwithoutahearing,thatthechildshouldbereturned,thecourtshallpresenttotheappropriatejurisdictionwherethechildisallegedtobeawrittenRequisitionfortheJuvenile’sReturn.Thecourtwillthenissueanorderforanylawenforcementofficertotakethechildintocustody.Oncethechildistakenintocustody,thecourtmayappointhimorheraGuardianadLitemorcounsel.Iftherequisitionisinorder,thecourtmustdeliverthechildtoanofficerofthecourtdemandingthechild.IfthereisnoRequisitionoutstanding,butthecourthasreasonableinformationthatthechildhasrunawayfromorescapedfromanotherstate,thecourtcantakethechildintocustodytodeterminewhetherprobablecauseexiststoholdthechild.ThecourtmayappointthechildcounselorGuardianadLitem.Thecourtmayholdthechildforupto90daystoenablethechildtoreturntoanotherstatewhereinanagencyorpartyhaslegalcustodyoverthechild.Ifthechildhascommittedadelinquentactinthestateheorshehasrunawaytoorescapedto,thechildmaynotbereturnedtohisorherhomestatewithouttheconsentofthecourtwithoutfirstdischarginganyobligationsarisingfromthecommissionofthedelinquentact.

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C. VoluntaryReturnProcedure

ArticleVIdetailshowachildmayvoluntarilyreturntoastateheorsheranawayorescapedfrom.Whenarunawayorescapeechildistakenintocustody,heorshecanconsenttobereturnedtohisorherhomestate,withorwithoutaRequisitionofReturnfiled.ThecourtmustinformthechildofhisorherrightsundertheCompactbeforeallowingthechildtoreturntothehomestate.

D. ProbationersandParolees

ArticleVIIindicatesthatwhenprobationersorparoleesmovefromonestatetoanother,thereceivingstatemay,afteranexaminationofthefactssurroundingthechild’scase,acceptsupervisionoftheparoleeorprobationer.

E. SupplementaryAgreements

TheInterstateCompactdoesnotbarstatesfromenteringintosupplementaryagreementswithotherstates.

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JurisdictioninDelinquencyProceedingsA. Generally

Thecircuitcourtsaregrantedoriginaljurisdictionoverjuveniledelinquencyproceedings.§985.0301(1).Jurisdictionattachestoacaseandthesubjectchildineitheroftwosituations.Whenthechildhasbeentakenintocustodywithorwithoutserviceofsummonsandbeforeorafterfilingofadelinquencypetition,personaljurisdictionattachestothechild.§985.0301(2)&(4)(b).Or,whenthechildandhisorherparentorguardianhasbeenservedsummons,subjectmatterjurisdictionattaches.§985.0301(2)&(4)(b).Petitionsallegingdelinquencymustbefiledinthecircuitwheretheallegedviolationoccurred,butmaybetransferredtothecircuitinwhichthechildlives.§985.0301(4)(a).

B. RetentionofJurisdiction

Oncejurisdictionattaches,thecircuitcourtwillinmostcasesretainjurisdictionoverachildadjudicateddelinquentuntilthechildturns19yearsold,unlessthecourtrelinquishesjurisdictionsooner,§985.0301(5)(a),thoughthetermsofcommitmentmayrununtilthechildturns21yearsold.§985.0301(5)(c).Exceptionsto(5)(a)includechildreninhighormaximumriskfacilitiesandsexualoffenders,overwhomthecourtmayretainjurisdictionuntilthechildturns21yearsofage,§985.0301(5)(d)-(g),thoughthetermsofcommitmentunderjuvenilecourtremainlimitedtothechild’sturning21yearsofage.§985.0301(5)(f).Oncejurisdictionhasattached,thecourtretainsjurisdictionoveranyrestitutionorderuntiltheorderissatisfied.§985.0301(5)(h).Therestitutionorderisseparatefromthedispositionorderororderofcommitment.

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JuvenileAssessmentCenter

JuvenileAssessmentCenters(JAC)arecommunityoperatedfacilitiesthatprovidecollocatedcentralintakeandscreeningservices,aswellasabroadarrayofyouth-relatedservices.§985.135(1)&(2).Thecentersaremanagedandgovernedbytheparticipatingagenciesthroughinteragencyagreementsandanadvisorycommitteethatguidesthecenter’soperation.§985.135(3).Theparticipatingagencieshaveoperationaloversightononlythoseindividualservicecomponentsforwhichtheagencyhasstatutoryauthorityandresponsibility.§985.135(3).EachJACprovidesacentralintakeandscreeningservicesforchildrenreferredtoDJJ.Thecentermustprovidesufficientservicestofacilitateinitialscreeningandcaseprocessing,includingdelinquencyintake,identificationofthechild,aneedsassessmentandsubstanceabuse,mental,andphysicalscreenings,anddiagnostictestingwhereappropriate.§985.135(4).Thecenterscanalsobeusedtoconductpredispositionsandassessmentsofchildrenindetentioncenters.§985.135(7).TheJACsarealsoencouragedtoprovideatruancyprogramthatwouldprovidecentralintakeandscreeningoftruantchildrenwithinaspecificarea.§985.135(5).

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JuvenileSexOffendersandTheAdamWalshActA. Generally

In2006theAdamWalshChildProtectionandSafetyAct(42USC16901)wasenactedinanefforttoassistlawenforcementintrackingsexualoffenders.Toconformwiththenewfederallaw,§943.0435wasamendedtorequirecertainjuvenilesexoffenderstoregisterwiththeFloridaDepartmentofLawEnforcement(FDLE)andtheiridentitybepostedontheFDLEpublicwebsite.The“AdamWalshAct”requirestheinclusionofchildren14yearsorolderatthetimethecrimewascommittedifthecrimewascomparableormoreseverethanaggravatedchildabuseasdescribedin18USC2241.Asaresult,§943.0435(1)(a)(1)(d)providesthatjuvenilesexoffendersarerequiredtoregisteriftheywere14yearsorolderatthetimethecrimewascommittedandthecrimewas:• SexualBattery§794.011excluding§794.011(10);• LewdandLasciviousBattery§800.04(4)(b)wherethevictimisunder12yearsof

ageorthecourtfindssexualactivitybytheuseofforceorcoercion;• LewdandLasciviousMolestation§800.04(5)(c)(1)wherethecourtfinds

molestationofavictimunder12yearsofagebyanoffenderunder18yearsofage,andthemolestationinvolvedunclothedgenitals;or

• LewdandLasciviousMolestation§800.04(5)(d)wherethecourtfindsmolestationofavictimages12-16byanoffenderunder18yearsofage,wherepresentweretheuseofforceorcoercionandunclothedgenital.

B. WrittenFindingsRequired

Forallqualifyingoffenses,thecourtmustmakeawrittenfindingoftheageoftheoffenderandtheageofthevictimatthetimeoftheoffense.Makingthisfindinginallcasesinvolvingasexualoffenseisabestpracticeforhandlingthisrequirement.§943.0435(1)(a)(2).Foraviolationof§800.04(4),thecourtmustmakeanadditionalwrittenfindingindicatingthattheoffensedidordidnotinvolvesexualactivityandindicatingthattheoffensedidordidnotinvolveforceorcoercion.§943.0435(1)(a)(2).Foraviolationof§800.04(5),thecourtmustmakeanadditionalwrittenfindingthattheoffensedidordidnotinvolveunclothedgenitalsorgenitalareaandthattheoffensedidordidnotinvolvetheuseofforceorcoercion.§943.0435(1)(a)(2).

C. Registration

Thequalifyingjuvenilesexoffendermaymotionthecourttoremovetheregistrationrequirementsifthechildisnotmorethan4yearsolderthanthevictimwhowas14

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yearsofageorolderbutnotmorethan17yearsofageatthetimeoftheoffense.§943.04354(1)(c).Forthosewhomustregisterasasexualoffender,theyarerequiredtopresentinformationtotheSheriff’sofficeinthecountywheretheyreside,andprovidetheauthoritieswithinformationregardingtheirabode,identifyingcharacteristics,methodsofcommunication(e.g.telephonenumber,emailaddress,instantmessagename),andmustbephotographedandfingerprinted.§943.0435(2).Thisinformationisenteredintoanationaldatabaseandmaybepublic.Juvenilesexualoffendersmustre-registeronaquarterlybasis.§943.0435(14)(b).

D. RemovalfromtheRegistry

Anoffenderwillstayontheregistryforthedurationofhisorherlife,unlessthatoffenderhasreceivedafullpardonorhashadaconvictionsetasideinapost-convictionproceedingforanyoffensethatmeetsthecriteriaforclassifyingthepersonasasexualoffenderforpurposesofregistration.§943.0435(11).However,selectoffendersmaybeabletohavetheirnamesremovedfromtheregistryandmayhavetheregistrationrequirementremovediftheyhavebeenlawfullyreleasedfromconfinementorsupervisionfor25years,havenotcommittedanymisdemeanororfelonyoffenseinthattime,andwerenotguiltyofcertainoffensescommittedasadults.§943.0435(11)(a).

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JuvenileSexOffenderProgramsA. Generally

Juvenilesexualoffenderbehaviorrangesfromnoncontactsexualbehavior(e.g.obscenephonecalls,exhibitionism,andvoyeurism)tovaryingdegreesofsexualcontact(e.g.frottage,fondling,rape,andothersexuallyaggressiveacts).§985.475(1)(b).

B. CommunityBasedTreatmentServices

Followingadelinquencyadjudicatoryhearing,thecourtmay,onitsownoronrequestbyDJJorthestate(subjecttospecificappropriation),makedeterminationsastothebestplacementofthechildandmayorderacomprehensiveassessmentthatfocusesspecificallyonsexuallydeviantbehavior.§985.475(2).Anyreportsoorderedmustcontain,ataminimum:• anaccountbytheoffenderoftheincident;• theofficialhistoryofthecase;• thejuvenile’soffensehistory;• anassessmentoftheoffender’ssexuallydeviantbehaviors,includingan

assessmentbyacertifiedmentalhealthprofessional;and• anassessmentoftheoffender’sfamily,social,educational,andemployment

situation.§985.475(2)(a).Thereportmustalsocontainanassessmentofthechild’samenabilitytocommunity-basedtreatmentandanythreatorrisktothevictimorcommunity,§985.475(2)(b),aswellasaproposedtreatmentplanthatdetailstherapyinteractionsandduration.§985.475(c).Ifafterreceivingthereport,thecourtdeterminesthatthecommunitytreatmentisappropriate,thecourtmayplacethechildintreatmentforupto3years.§985.475(e).Thecourtmayrequirethechildtocomplywithvariousconditionsofcommunitytreatment,includingtreatmentplancomplianceandphysicalgeographicboundaries.§985.475(e)(1)&(2).Thetreatmentprovidermustsubmitquarterlyreportstothecourtandtothepartiestotheproceedings,detailingthechild’sprogressintreatment.§985.475(2)(f).Thereportmustreferencethetreatmentplanandmustincludeataminimum:• datesofthechild’sattendance;• thechild’scompliancewiththerequiredtreatment;• adescriptionofthetreatmentactivities;• thechild’srelativeprogress;

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• thechild’sfamilysupportofthetreatment;and• anyothermaterialspecifiedbythecourtatdisposition.§985.475(f)(1)-(6).Ifthechildfailstocomplywiththecommunitytreatmentservices,thecourtmayrevokethetreatmentandorderthechildtobecommittedtoDJJ.§985.475(h).

C. JuvenileSexualOffenderCommitmentPrograms

DJJisauthorizedtoimplementandoperateprogramsthatprovide“intensiveeducationalandpsychologicalservicesandothertreatmentsforjuvenilesexualoffenders,”§985.48(2),andmaycontractwithprivateorganizationsfortheoperationofsuchprograms.§985.475(7).Ajuvenilesexualoffenderprogrammustincludeeducationalcomponents,lifemanagementtraining,substanceabusetreatment,andintensivepsychologicaltreatmentprovidedbyappropriatementalhealthprofessionals.§985.475(4).DJJmayincludeanintensiveconditionalreleasecomponentthatwouldassistinachild’stransitionintothecommunity.§985.475(5).Suchacomponentmayincludetermsandconditionssuchaselectronicmonitoringofthechild.§985.475(5).Whenachildisreturnedtothecommunity,DJJmustinformtheschools,lawenforcementagencies,andthecourt.§985.475(6).DJJmustconductinspectionsofthejuvenilesexualoffenderprogramstoverifyqualityassuranceandtodeterminethateachprogramcomplieswithDJJrulesforcontinuedoperation,§985.475(9),andmustkeeprecordsnecessarytoevaluatetheeffectivenessofsuchprograms.§985.475(10).

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Medicaid/MedicareEligibilityforServicesuponRelease1DelinquentchildrenputinDJJcustodyareeligibleforMedicaidservicesonlyiftheyareplacedinLoworModerateRiskNON-stateoperatedresidentialprograms.AnyotherformofresidentialcarewillcausethechildtobeineligibleforMedicaid.RequirementsforapplyingorreapplyingforMedicaidfollowingachild’sreleasefromDJJcaredependonwhetherthechildhasfamilythatwerereceivingMedicaidbenefitsatthetimeheorshewasplacedintoDJJ’scustody.IfthechildwasreceivingMedicaidbenefitsatthetimeheorshewasdetained,andifheorshehasotherfamilymembersreceivingbenefits,thechildcanregainhisorherbenefitsif,uponreleasefromDJJcare,afamilymemberinformsandrequestsDCFforre-instatementofthechild’sbenefits.IfthechildwasreceivingMedicaidbenefitsatthetimeofdetention,butnootherfamilymemberswerereceivingbenefits,thechildcanregainhisorherbenefitsif,uponreleasefromDJJcare,afamilymembercompletesanapplicationforMedicaidbenefitsandsubmitsittothelocalDCFservicecenter.TheDCFMedicaidapprovalprocesscantakeupto45days.OnceachildisapprovedforMedicaidbenefits,aformletterwillbesenttotheparentorcustodian.

1InformationinthissectionfromDepartmentofJuvenileJustice,availableonlineathttp://www.djj.state.fl.us/AboutDJJ/faq.html#HealthP3.

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RestitutionThecourtthathasjurisdictionoverachildadjudicateddelinquentmay,byanorderstatingthefactsuponwhichadeterminationofrestitutionwasmade,orderthechildtomakerestitution.§985.437(1).Achildhasaconstitutionalrighttobepresentatarestitutionhearing,unlessheorshehasknowinglyandvoluntarilywaivedthatright.J.C.v.State,1So.3d1196(Fla.5thDCA2008).Suchrestitutionwouldbepartoftheprobationprogramor,foracommittedchild,partofthecommunity-basedsanctionsorderedbythecourt.§985.437(1).Therestitutionorderedmaybemonetaryormayberestitutioninkind,andwouldbethroughapromissorynotecosignedbythechild’sparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Wheneverrestitutionisordered,theamountmaynotexceedanamountthechildandparentorguardiancouldreasonablybeexpectedtopay,§985.437(2),andmustbebasedonadeterminationofthechild’sexpectedearningsuponfindingsuitableemployment.K.T.M.v.State,969So.2d542(Fla.2dDCA2007).Thecourtmayrelyondirecttestimonyoffairmarketvaluetodeterminetheamountofrestitution.Ifdirectevidenceoffairmarketvalueisnotavailable,thecourtcanrelyonthefollowingtoascertainfairmarketvalue:• originalmarketcost;• mannerinwhichtheitemwasused;• generalconditionandqualityoftheitem;and• thepercentageofdepreciation.K.W.v.State,983So.2d713(Fla.2dDCA2008)

Thecourtmayalsobasetheamountofrestitutiononreplacementcosts,asanalternativetofairmarketvalue.983So.2dat715.Anotheralternativeavailabletothecourtisout-of-pocketvaluation;ifthisisused,theamountofrestitutionshouldbeoffsetbythesalvagevalueofanypropertyreturned.C.M.S.v.State,997So.2d520(Fla.2dDCA2008).

Afindingthattheparentorguardianmadeagoodfaithefforttopreventthechildfromcommittingthejuvenileact(s)mayabsolvetheparentorguardianfromliabilityforrestitution.§985.437(4).

Finally,thecourtmayretainjurisdictionoverthechildandthechild’sparentorguardianwhomthecourthasorderedtopayrestitutionuntiltherestitutionispaidinfullorthecourtordersotherwise.§985.437(5).

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RiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI)Thecourt’sdeterminationsandordersregardingplacementofachildintodetentioncaremustbebasedonariskassessmentofthechild,unlessheorsheisplacedintodetentioncareasaresultofadomesticviolenceoffense.§985.245(1).TheRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI)takesintoconsiderationavarietyoffactors,includingbutnotlimitedto:• historyoffailuretoappear;• prioroffenses;• offensescommittedpendingadjudication;• unlawfulpossessionofafirearm;• theftofamotorvehicleorpossessionofastolenmotorvehicle;and• probationstatusattimetakenintocustody.§985.245(2)(b).TheRAImayalsotakeintoconsiderationanymitigatingoraggravatingfactors,andmustincludeanyinformationconcerningahistoryofabuseorneglect.§985.245(2)(b).TheRAIwillalsoexaminethedelinquentactthechildisallegedtohavecommitted,andassignpointvaluestocurrentandpreviousoffenses,aswellashistory,legalstatus,andotherfactors.Ifpossessionoruseofthefirearmispartoftheinchoateoffense(i.e.aggravatedassaultwithafirearm)thenfirearmassessmentpointsshouldnotbeincluded,andisanimpermissibledoublescoring.M.W.v.DepartmentofJuvenileJustice,15So.3d782(Fla.1stDCA2009).Thetotalnumberofpointswilldeterminethechild’srecommendeddetention.Ifthechildscoresmorethan12points,heorshewillberecommendedforsecuredetention.Ifthechildscoresbetween7and11points,therecommendationwillbefornon-securedetention.Finally,ifthechildscores6pointsorless,heorshewillberecommendedforrelease.AsampleRAIisincludedintheAppendices.

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ServiceofProcessUponthefilingofapetitionallegingthatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationofthelaw,theclerkordeputyclerkwillissueasummons.§985.319(2).Thesummonsmusthaveacopyofthepetitionattachedandmustorderthepersonservedtoappearforahearingbeforethecourtonaspecifiedtimeandplace,nolessthan24hoursafterservice,exceptinthecaseofamedicalemergency.§985.319(3).Ifthechildhasnotbeendetained,heorshemustappearatthehearing.§985.319(3).Lawenforcementmustserveprocesswithin7daysafteranarraignmentorassoonaspossibleafter,exceptthatnoserviceisdoneonSundays.§985.319(4).Thesummonsmustbedirectedtoandservedupon,thechild,theparentsofthechild,andanylegaloractualguardiansorcustodians,andthechild’sGuardianadLitem.§985.319(5).Ifthecourtdeemsitadvisableunderthelisteddetentioncriteria,thechildmaybetakenintocustodywhenserved.§985.319(6).Iftheidentityoftheparents,custodians,orguardiansareunknownafteradiligentsearch,oriftheyliveoutsideofthestate,oriftheyevadeservice,thepersontaskedtoservethemmustfileacertificateofthosefacts;ifthisoccurs,thecourtmustappointaGuardianadLitemtothechildifappropriate.§985.319(7).Ifanyofthepartiesrefusestocomplywithservice,thecourtmayorderthemtakenintocustodyforahearingtoshowcausewhythenoncompliantpartyorpartiesshouldnotbeheldincontemptofcourt.§985.319(7).Uponapplicationbythechildorthestateattorney,theclerkshallissue,orthecourtmayissue,subpoenasforwitnessesand/orrecordsorothertangibledocumentsatahearing.§985.319(8).Processandordersissuedbythecourtareservedandexecutedasanyotherprocessororderfromthecircuitcourt.§985.319(9).

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SpeedyTrialA. Generally

Allchildrenhavearighttobebroughttoanadjudicatoryhearingwithin90daysoftheearlierofeitherthedatethechildwastakenintocustodyorthedateofserviceofsummonsissuedwhenthedelinquencypetitionwasfiled.Rule8.090(a).Ifthechild’scaseisnotheardwithinthe90daylimit,andtherearenocircumstancesthatinterrupttherunningofthetimeperiod,thechildisentitledtoappropriaterelief.Rule8.090(b).

B. DemandforSpeedyTrial

However,achildmay,bypetition,demandaspeedytrial.Rule8.090(g).Thechildwillhavetherighttoanadjudicatoryhearingwithin60daysbyfilingapetitionentitled“DemandforSpeedyTrial”withthecourtandservingitontheprosecutingattorney.Rule8.090(g).Afterfilingsuchapetition,thecourthas5daystoholdahearingforreportandannouncedreceiptofthedemand.8.090(g)(1).Atthereport,thecourtwillsettheadjudicatoryhearingnolessthan5daysandnomorethan45daysfromthedateofthereport.Rule8.090(g)(2).Ifthechildisnotbroughttoanadjudicatoryhearingwithin50daysfromthedateoffilingthedemand,thechildwillhavetherighttoappropriaterelief.Rule8.090(g)(4).ADemandforSpeedyTrialisdeemedapleadingthatthechildisavailablefortheadjudicatoryhearing,hasdiligentlyinvestigatedthecase,andispreparedorwillbepreparedfortheadjudicatoryhearingwithin5days.Rule8.090(h).Suchademandmayonlybewithdrawnbygoodcauseshown,consentbytheprosecutingattorney,orbyorderofthecourt.Rule8.090(h).

C. MotionforDischarge

Aftertheabovetimelimitshavebeenexceededwithoutanadjudicatoryhearing,thechildmayfileamotiontodischarge.Rule8.090(m)(2).Nolaterthan5daysafterthefilingofthemotion,thecourtwillholdahearingonthematterandorderthechildtobebroughttotrialwithin10days,unless:• Thechildhasvoluntarilywaivedtherighttoaspeedytrial.• Anextensionoftimehasbeenordered.Anextensioncanresultfromanyofthe

following:o Stipulation,announcedtothecourtandsignedbythechildorthechild’s

attorney;o Writtenorrecordedorderbythecourtcitingthereasonsandexceptional

circumstancesfortheextension.Exceptionalcircumstancesinclude:§ Unexpectedillnessorincapacityorunforeseeableandunavoidable

absenceofanecessaryperson;

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§ Ashowingbythestatethattheunusualandcomplexnatureofthecaserequiresadditionaltime;

§ Ashowingbythestatethatspecificevidenceortestimonyispresentlyunavailabledespiteeffortstosecureit,butwillbecomeavailableatalatertime;

§ Ashowingbythechildorstatethatdelayisnecessarybasedondevelopmentsthatcouldnothavebeenforeseenandwhichwillmateriallyaffectthecase;

§ Ashowingthatdelayisnecessarytoaccommodateaco-respondent,wherethereisareasonnottoseverthecase;or

§ Ashowingbythestatethatthechildhascausedmajordelayordisruptionofpreparationorproceeding.

o Writtenorrecordedorderofthecourtforaperiodofreasonableandnecessarydelaythatresultsfromproceedingsincludingbutnotlimitedtohearingastomentalcompetenceorphysicalabilitytostandtrial,appealsbythestate,oradjudicatoryhearingsonotherpendingchargesagainstthechild.Rule8.090(f)

• Thefailuretoholdanadjudicatoryhearingisattributabletothechild,co-respondentinthesameadjudicatoryhearing,ortheircounsel.

• Thechildisunavailablefortheadjudicatoryhearing,whereunavailablemeans:o Thechildorthechild’scounselfailstoattendaproceedingwheretheir

presenceisrequired;oro Thechildorchild’scounselisnotpreparedfortheadjudicatoryhearingon

thedateitisscheduled.Nopresumptionofnonavailabilityattachesunlesstheprosecutingattorneyobjectstothedismissalandpresentsevidenceofnonavailability;thechildmustthenestablishavailabilitybycompetentevidence.

• TheDemandforSpeedyTrialisinvalid.• Ifthecourtfindsdismissalisnotappropriate,thependingmotiontodismiss

mustbedenied,andanadjudicatoryhearingmustcommencewithin90daysofawrittenorrecordedorderofdenial.Rule8.090(d)(1)-(6).

Note:Ifnoneoftheaboveappliesand10dayspasswithoutthechildbeingbroughttoanadjudicatoryhearing,throughnofaultofthechild’s,thechildwillbeforeverdischargedofthecrime.Rule8.090(m)(4).

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TransfertoAdultCourtA. Waiver

AVoluntaryWaivertakesplacewhenachild,allegedtohavecommittedaviolationofthelawandpriortothestartofanadjudicatoryhearing,petitionsthecourtwiththeparentorguardian’sconsenttobetriedasanadult.§985.556(1).Thecourtmustthenholdavoluntarywaiverhearing.§985.556(1).Afterthehearing,thechildistransferredtoadultcourtjurisdictionandmustbehandledthereafterineveryrespectasanadultforthatandeverysubsequentviolationofthelaw,unlesstheadultcourtimposesjuvenilesanctions.§985.556(1).AnInvoluntaryDiscretionaryWaivertakesplacewhen,exceptasprovidedbyinvoluntarymandatorywaivers,thestateattorneychoosestofileamotionrequestingthatthecourttransfertoadultcourtifthechildwas14yearsoldorolderatthetimetheallegeddelinquentactofviolationoflawoccurred.§985.556(2).AnInvoluntaryMandatoryWaivercanoccurintwoways.• Ifthechildwas14yearsofageorolderandhasbeenpreviouslyadjudicated

delinquentforanactclassifiedasafelony,whereheorshewasadjudicatedforthecommissionof,attempttocommit,orconspiracytocommitmurder,sexualbattery,armedorstrong-armedrobbery,carjacking,home-invasionrobbery,aggravatedbattery,aggravatedassault,orburglarywithanassaultorbattery,andifthechildiscurrentlyallegedtohavecommittedaviolentcrimeagainstaperson;or

• Ifthechildwas14yearsoldorolderatthetimeofthecommissionofafourthorsubsequentallegedfelonyoffenseandthechildwaspreviouslyadjudicateddelinquentorhadadjudicationwithheldfororwasfoundtohavecommittedorattemptedorconspiredtocommitthreeoffensesthatarefelonyoffensesinvolvingtheuseorpossessionofafirearmorviolenceagainstaperson;

Thestateattorneymustrequestthatthecourttransferthechildtoadultcourtorprovidereasonstothecourtforfailingtomakesucharequest,ordirectfile.§985.556(3).TheEffectofaWaiveristhatthecourtmustholdawaiverofjurisdictionhearingtodeterminewhetherjurisdictioncanbewaivedforthechild.

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B. DirectFiling

DiscretionaryDirectFileoccursif,withrespecttoachildthatis14or15yearsoldatthetimeofthecommissionoftheallegedoffense,thestateattorneymayfileaninformationwiththeadultcourt.§985.557(1)(a).Inthestateattorney’sjudgmentanddiscretion,thepublicinterestrequiresthatadultsanctionsbeconsideredorimposedandwhentheoffensechargedisforthecommissionof,attempttocommit,orconspiracytocommit:• Arson;• Sexualbattery;• Robbery;• Kidnapping;• Aggravatedchildabuse;• Aggravatedassault;• Aggravatedstalking;• Murder;• Manslaughter;• Unlawfulthrowing,placing,ordischargingofadestructivedeviceorbomb;• Armedburglaryorspecifiedburglaryofadwellingorstructure,orburglarywith

anassaultorbattery;• Aggravatedbattery;• Anylewdorlasciviousoffensecommitteduponorinthepresenceofaperson

lessthan16yearsofage;• Carrying,displaying,using,threatening,orattemptingtouseaweaponor

firearmduringthecommissionofafelony;• Grandtheft;• Possessingordischarginganyweaponorfirearmonschoolproperty;• Homeinvasionrobbery;• Carjacking;or• Grandtheftofamotorvehicleorgrandtheftofamotorvehiclevaluedat

$20,000ormoreifthechildhasapreviousadjudicationforgrandtheftofamotorvehicle.

DiscretionaryDirectFilealsooccursif,withrespecttoachildwhowas16or17atthetimeoftheoffense,thestateattorneymayfileaninformationwhen,inhisorherjudgmentanddiscretion,thepublicinterestrequiresthatadultsanctionsbeconsidered.§985.557(1)(b).However,thestateattorneymaynotfileifthechildwaschargedwithamisdemeanor,unlessheorshehadatleasttwopreviousadjudicationsoradjudicationswithheld,atleastoneofwhichwasclassifiedasafelony.§985.557(1)(b).

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MandatoryDirectFilecanoccurindifferentways.• Wherethechildwas16or17atthetimeoftheoffense,andthechildhasbeen

previouslyadjudicateddelinquentforafelonywhereadjudicationwasforthecommissionof,attempttocommit,orconspiracytocommitmurder,sexualbattery,armedorstrong-armedrobbery,carjacking,home-invasionrobbery,aggravatedbattery,oraggravatedassaultandthechildiscurrentlychargedwithasecondorsubsequentviolentcrimeagainstaperson,thestateattorneymustfileaninformation.§985.557(2)(a).

• Wherethechildwas16or17atthetimeofanoffenseclassifiedasaforciblefelony,ifthechildwaspreviouslyadjudicateddelinquentorhadadjudicationwithheldforthreepreviousfelonyactseachwhichoccurredatleast45daysapart,thestateattorneymustfileaninformation,UNLESSheorshehasgoodcausetobelieveexceptionalcircumstancesexistthatprecludethejustprosecutionofthechildinadultcourt.§985.557(2)(b).

• Where,regardlessofthechild’sageatthetimeoftheoffense,ifthechildisallegedtohavecommittedanactthatwouldbeaviolationofthelawifthechildwereanadultandinvolvesstealingamotorvehicle,includingbutnotlimitedtocarjacking,grandtheftofamotorvehicle,andwherethechild,whileinpossessionofthevehicle,causedseriousbodilyinjuryordeathofapersonwhowasnotinvolvedintheunderlyingoffense,thestateattorneymustfileaninformation.Thisappliestothedriverofthevehicleandallwillingpassengersatthetimeofsuchseriousinjuryordeath.§985.557(2)(c).

• Wherethechildwas16or17yearsoldatthetimeoftheoffense,ifthechildwaschargedwithcommittingorattemptingtocommitanoffenselistedin§775.087(2)(a)(1)(a)-(q),andduringthecommissionorattemptedcommission,thechild:o Actuallypossessedafirearmordestructivedevice.o Dischargedafirearmordestructivedevice.o Dischargedafirearmordestructivedevice,and,asaresultofthedischarge,

deathorgreatbodilyharmwasinflicteduponanyperson.Thestateattorneymustfileaninformation,unlessthestateattorneyhasgoodcausetobelieveexceptionalcircumstancesexistthatprecludethejustprosecutionofthechildinadultcourt.§985.557(2)(d)(1)&(4).

Onceachildhasbeentransferredpursuanttoaninformation,andhasbeenfoundtohavecommittedtheoffensechargedoralesserincludedoffense,thechildwillbetreatedineveryrespectasanadult,forthatandanysubsequentoffenses,unlesstheadultcourtelectstoimposejuvenilesanctions.§985.557(3)(a).Thus,thecourtmustimmediatelytransferandcertifyallfelonycasespertainingtothechildwhichhavenotyetresultedinaguiltypleaorpleaofnolocontendere,orinwhichafindingofguilthasnotbeenmade.§985.557(3)(b).

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C. Indictments

Achildofanyagethatischargedwithaviolationofthelawpunishablebydeathorlifeimprisonmentissubjecttothejurisdictionofthejuvenilecourtunlessanduntilanindictmentonthechargeisreturnedbyagrandjury.§985.56(1).Whensuchanindictmentisreturned,thedelinquencypetitionmustbedismissedandthechildmustbehandledineveryrespectasanadult,ontheoffensepunishablebydeathorlifeimprisonment,andonallotherfeloniesormisdemeanorschargedintheindictmentandbasedonthesametransactionastheoffensepunishablebydeathorlifeimprisonmentorononeormoreactsortransactionsbasedontheoffensepunishablebydeathorlifeimprisonment.§985.56(1).Inaddition,thecourtmustimmediatelytransferandcertifyallfelonycasespertainingtothechildwhichhavenotyetresultedinaguiltypleaorpleaofnolocontendere,orinwhichafindingofguilthasnotbeenmade.§985.56(4)(b).Thegrandjuryhas21daystoactandreturnanindictment.Thejuvenilecourtmaynotholdanadjudicatoryhearingforthose21daysunlessthestateattorneynotifiesthecourtthatheorshedoesnotintendtopresentthecasetothegrandjury,orhaspresentedittothegrandjuryandthegrandjuryhasnotreturnedanindictment,inwhichcasethecourtmayholdanadjudicatoryhearingsoonerthan21days.§985.56(2).Ifthegrandjuryfailstoactwithinthe21dayperiod,thecourtmayholdanadjudicatoryhearingafterthatperiod.§985.56(2).Ifthejuvenilecourtholdsanadjudicatoryhearingandthechildisfoundtohavecommittedtheallegedoffensepunishablebydeathorlifeimprisonment,thecourtmustsentencethechildasanadult.§985.56(3).Ifthecourtfindthatthechilddidnotcommittheindictableoffensebutcommittedalesserincludedoffenseoranyotheroffenseheorshewasorcouldhavebeenindictedforasapartofthecriminalepisode,thecourtmayimposealternativejuvenilesanctionsunder§985.565.

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UnifiedFamilyCourt–ModelFamilyCourt

Ifthejudicialsystemencouragesalternativestotheadversarialprocess,empowerslitigantstoreachtheirownsolutions,andassistsincraftingsolutionsthatpromotelong-termstabilityinmattersinvolvingchildrenandfamilies,thelikelihoodoffuturecourtinterventioninthefamilyshouldbedecreased–whetherthis be through minimizing post-judgment litigation orpreventing the dependent child of today frombecoming thedelinquent child of tomorrow. Our ultimate goal remains tofacilitate the resolution of disputes involving children andfamiliesinafair,timely,effectiveandcost-efficientmanner.1

Intraditionalcircuits,familiescomeintocontactwithavarietyofcourtsforavarietyofreasons:divorce,domesticviolence,abandonmentormistreatmentofchildren,ormisbehaviorofchildren.Thesefamiliesmay“spinfromcourtroomtocourtroomcaughtinaprocessthatdepletestime,money,andenergy,andyetneverreallyaddressesthecoreoftheproblem.Ironically,children,theintendedbeneficiariesofourfamilycourts,suffermostasaresult.”2UnifiedFamilyCourts(UFCs)servetocoordinatejudicialeffortsincasesinvolvingthesamefamily,regardlessofthemannerinwhichdocketsfordifferenttypesofcasesarestructuredandmanaged,3andprovideonecourtthatwillhearthevarietyofcasesfacingafamilyinaconsolidated,coordinatedfashion.TheFloridaSupremeCourtenumeratedtheguidingprinciplesofaUFC,saying,“Thelegalsystemshouldfocusontheneedsofchildrenwhoareinvolvedinthelitigation,referfamiliestoresourcesthatwillmaketheirrelationshipsstronger,coordinatetheircasestoprovideconsistentresults,andstrivetoleavefamiliesinbetterconditionthanwhentheyenteredthesystem.”4Theguidingprinciplesareallaimedatincreasingstabilitywithinthefamily,increasingcourtfunctionalityandcoordination,andconservingresources,bothjudicialandfamilial.

AUFCmayhearcasesinvolvingdivorceordissolutionofmarriage,childsupportissues,civildomesticviolenceinjunctions,juveniledependency,juvenile

1InreReportofFamilyCourtSteeringCommittee,794So.2d518(Fla.2001)535-536.2Wright,C.RepresentationofChildreninaUnifiedFamilyCourtSysteminFlorida,14U.Fla.J.L.&Pub.Pol’y179(2002-2003)at180.3InreReportoftheCommissiononFamilyCourts,633So.2d14(Fla.1994)at17.4Supranote1at524(quotingtheCommittee’scommentary).

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delinquency,andtruancyissues5,andthecourtmustbehighlycoordinated,responsivetotheneedsofthefamiliesandchildren,andflexibleisitsresponses.CoordinationofcaseswithintheUFCrequiresthecourttoidentifyallcasesinvolvingthefamily.6Thecourtshouldinquireateachhearingorconferencewhetherthereareanycasespendingthatinvolvethefamily.Responsivenesstothefamilyrequires“continuedattentiontotheneedsofthechildrenandfamilyasthecasemovesthroughthejudicialsystemsothattheappropriatecourtresourcesaremadeavailableandlinkagestoappropriatecommunityresourcesarefacilitated.”7Thecourtshouldbeawareofthefamily’ssituationanddeterminewhichcourtactionsandresourceswillbestbenefitthefamily.ThecourtshouldalsobeawareofanystepstakenbythechildtoengagewiththeindependentlivingprogramsofferedbyDepartmentofChildrenandFamilies.IndependentlivingcourtsaredesignedtoeducatechildreninthecareoftheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesastotheirrights,andtoteachthemeducationalandlifeskillstobeableto“makeitontheirown.”8Theseindependentlivingcourtsbringtogetherrepresentativesfromavarietyofagencies,includingbutnotlimitedtoGuardianadLitem,communitybasedcarecaseworkers,andDJJstaff,toensurethechildhasanindependentlivingcaseplanandsufficientresourcestosupportthechildasheorsheagesoutofthecareofastateagencyandtransitionsintoindependentadulthood.AUFCmayfaceagencycoordinationissuessimilartothoseissuespresentintraditionalcircuitsthathandlecrossovercases.AUFCshouldengageinthesamepracticesdiscussedintheCrossoverCasesgeneraltopic.Additionally,asaUFCmayhearcasesthatinvolveaspectsofdomesticviolence,aUFCshouldconformthecourtroompracticestothosediscussedintheDomesticViolenceandDelinquencygeneraltopic.

5Idat525.6Idat529.7Id.8Pudlow,J.IndependentLivingDocket:HelpingFosterKidsTransitionintoAdulthood.(December1,2008).

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WalkerPlanApprovalbyJudgeAfteradelinquencypetitionisfiledbutpriortoanadjudicatoryhearing,aplanofproposedtreatmentorconductmaybesubmittedforthechildinlieuofaplea.Rule8.075(b).ThetermsandconditionsoftheplanmustbeworkedoutwiththeassistanceofDJJandothersupervisingagencies.Rule8.075(b).Theplanmaybeforanindeterminateperiodoftime,orforaspecifiedperiod,oruntilthepetitionisdismissed.Rule8.075(b)(5).Thecourthasnoobligationtoacceptanyplanoffered.Ifthecourtrejectstheproposedplan,thecourtmuststateonrecordthereasonsforrejectingtheproposal.Rule8.075(b)(3).However,ifaplanisaccepted,theplanmustbeinwriting,agreedtoandsignedbythestateattorney,thechild,thechild’scounsel(ifthechildhasone)andthechild’sparentsorguardiansunlessexcusedbythecourt.Rule8.075(b)(1).Additionally,anagentfromDJJorothersupervisingagencymustsigntoindicateconsent.Rule8.075(b)(1).Ifthechildviolatestheplan,theviolationorviolationsmustbepresentedtothecourtbymotionofthesupervisingagencyoranyotherparty.Rule8.075(b)(4).Ifthecourtfindsthataviolationhasoccurred,thecourtmayacttoenforcetheplan,modifytheplanbysupplementalagreements,orsetthecaseforahearingontheoriginalpetition.Rule8.075(b)(4).

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DelinquencyHearings

TableofContentsDetentionHearingataGlance...................................................................................98DetentionHearingBenchcard..................................................................................100DetentionHearingOutline......................................................................................102A. Generally............................................................................................................102B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................104C. ProbableCauseDetermination..........................................................................105D. Setarraignmenthearing.....................................................................................107E. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdetention....................................................107

ArraignmentHearingataGlance.............................................................................111ArraignmentHearingBenchcard..............................................................................113ArraignmentHearingOutline..................................................................................115A. Generally............................................................................................................115B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................116C. Reviewdelinquencypetition..............................................................................117D. Entranceofaplea...............................................................................................118E. Setnexthearing.................................................................................................120F. Determinecustodypendingdisposition............................................................121

AdjudicatoryHearingataGlance............................................................................124AdjudicatoryHearingBenchcard.............................................................................126AdjudicatoryHearingOutline..................................................................................128A. Generally............................................................................................................128B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................129C. Adjudicatoryhearingprocess.............................................................................131D. Delinquencydetermination................................................................................133E. Custodypendingdisposition..............................................................................134F. Adviseofrighttoappeal....................................................................................134G. Setdispositionhearing.......................................................................................135H. Requirementsforwrittenorderofadjudication................................................135

DispositionHearingataGlance...............................................................................138

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DispsitionHearingBenchcard..................................................................................140DispositionHearingOutline.....................................................................................142A. Generally............................................................................................................142B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................143C. Reviewpredispositionreport.............................................................................144D. Commitmentdetermination..............................................................................146E. Detentionpendingcommitment........................................................................149F. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdisposition..................................................149

ViolationofProbationHearingataGlance..............................................................154ViolationofProbationHearingBenchcard...............................................................156ViolationofProbationHearingOutline....................................................................158A. Generally............................................................................................................158B. AdviseofRights..................................................................................................159C. Violationofprobationdetermination................................................................161D. Dispositiondetermination..................................................................................162E. Requirementsforwrittenorder.........................................................................162

ContemptofCourtHearingataGlance...................................................................166ContemptofCourtHearingBenchcard....................................................................168ContemptofCourtHearingOutline.........................................................................170A. Generally............................................................................................................170B. AdviseofRights..................................................................................................171C. Indirectcontempthearingprocedure................................................................173D. Sanctions............................................................................................................174E. Requirementsforawrittenjudgmentofcontempt...........................................175

WaiverofJurisdictionHearingataGlance...............................................................178WaiverofJurisdictionHearingBenchcard................................................................180WaiverofJurisdictionHearingOutline....................................................................182A. Generally............................................................................................................182B. AdviseofRights..................................................................................................183C. Determinethetypeofwaiver............................................................................184D. IssueaSummons................................................................................................185E. Considertheevidencepresented.......................................................................185F. Jurisdictiondetermination.................................................................................186G. Requirementsforawrittenorderonwaiverofjurisdiction..............................187

RestitutionHearingataGlance...............................................................................189RestitutionHearingBenchcard................................................................................191RestitutionHearingOutline.....................................................................................193A. Generally............................................................................................................193B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................194C. HearingProcedure.............................................................................................196D. Restitutiondetermination..................................................................................197E. Requirementsforawrittenorderofrestitution................................................197

CorrectionofOrdersHearingataGlance.................................................................200CorrectionofOrdersHearingBenchcard..................................................................202

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CorrectionofOrdersHearingOutline......................................................................204A. Generally............................................................................................................204B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................205C. Correctionhearingprocedure............................................................................206D. Correctiondetermination...................................................................................207E. Requirementsforacorrectedorder..................................................................207

CompetencyHearingataGlance.............................................................................210CompetencyHearingBenchcard..............................................................................212CompetencyHearingOutline...................................................................................214A. Generally............................................................................................................214B. Adviseofrights...................................................................................................215C. Competencyhearingprocedures.......................................................................216D. Competencydetermination...............................................................................217E. Confinementassessment...................................................................................218F. Requirementsforawrittenorderofincompetency..........................................220

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DETENTIONHEARINGATAGLANCE

RELEVANTSTATUTES&RULES

FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;741.28;790.22;901.02;985.02;985.033;985.035;985.039;985.16;985.24;985.245;985.25;985.255;985.26;985.27;985.275;985.335RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.013;8.015;8.100;8.110;8.165;8.929RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARING

Thepurposeofthedetentionhearingistodeterminewhetherprobablecauseexiststhatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflawand,ifso,whethercontinueddetentionisnecessary.§985.255(3)(a);Rule8.010(g).

TIMEFRAME

Thedetentionhearingmustbeheldwithin24hoursofthechildbeingtakenintocustody.§§985.255(3)(a);985.26(1).Undercertaincircumstancesthedetentionhearingmaybecontinuedforupto72hoursifastatutoryneedfordetentionismetandthecourtisunabletomakeaprobablecausedetermination.Rule8.010(h).Detentioncannotexceed21dayswithoutthecommencementofanadjudicatoryhearing.§985.26(2).

BURDENOFPROOF Standardofproofforprobablecauseisthatwhichisnecessaryforanarrestwarrant.Rule8.010(g)(1).

RULESOFEVIDENCEThecourtmayhearallrelevantmaterialevidence.Rule8.010(g)(1)&(2).Allpartiespresenthavetherighttobeheardregardingtheissueofdetentionifthecourtfindsprobablecause.Rule8.010(a).

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL

Thecourtmustadvisethechildofhisorherrighttocounselanddeterminewhethertherightisunderstood.§985.033;Rule8.165(b).Thecourtmustalsodeterminewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsareindigent.Ifso,thecourtmustadviseoftherighttohavecounselappointedinaccordancewith§27.52.Ifcounseliswaived,thecourtmustdeterminewhetherthewaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.§985.033;Rule8.165.

NEXTHEARINGAnarraignmenthearingmustbeheldwithin48hoursafterthefilingofadelinquencypetition(excludingSaturdays,Sundaysorlegalholidays).Rule8.015(a).

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DETENTIONHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally

Ø Determinewhetheraninterpreterisneededtofacilitatecommunicationsinthehearingprocess.

Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Thepurposeofthedetentionhearingistodeterminewhetherthereisprobable

causethatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflaw.Ø Iftestimonywillbeoffered,placeallwitnessesunderoath.Ø Haveallthepartiesidentifythemselvesfortherecordwithfullnameandcurrent

address.Advisethepartiesthatthecourtwillusetheaddressesprovidedfornoticepurposesunlessotherwisenotifiedinwriting.

Ø Determinewhethertheparents/legalguardiansarepresentorabsent.Ø Ifparents/legalguardiansareabsent,requestthatDJJgiveathoroughdescription

ofthestepstakentolocatetheparentsandprovidethemnoticeofthedetentionhearing.

Ø Determinewhetherthechildisinvolvedinothercourtproceedings.IfthecourtisaUFC,considerconsolidatingthecasesorhearingthemtogether.

B. Adviseofrights

Ø Advisethechildofhisorherrighttocounselanddeterminewhethertherightisunderstood.

Ø Determinewhetherthechildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ø Ifthechildandhisorherparentsareinsolvent,advisethechildthatheorshehas

therighttohavecounselappointed.Ø Ifthechilddoesnothavecounsel,appointcounselasnecessaryunlesswaivedin

writing.Waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingthechild’srighttocounsel,theconsequencesofwaivingcounsel,andanyotherfactorsthatwouldassistthechildinmakingthedecisiontowaivecounsel.

Ø Ifthechildwaivescounsel,determinethatthewaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.

Ø Advisethechildofhisorherrighttoremainsilent,andthatanythingthechildsaysmaybeusedagainsthimorher.

Ø Ifthechild’sparent,custodianorcounselisnotpresent,advisethechildofhisorherrighttocommunicatewiththem,andifnecessary,thatreasonablemeanswillbeprovidedtodoso.

Ø Advisethechildofthenatureofthecharges.Ø Advisethechildofthereasonscontinueddetentionisrequested.

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C. ProbableCauseDetermination

Ø Explaintothechildthatthestandardofproofiswhetherthecourt,basedontheinformationbeforeit,“reasonablybelievesthatthepersoncomplainedagainsthascommittedanoffense”withinthecourt’sjurisdiction.

Ø Ifthecourtfindsnoprobablecause,thechildmustbereleasedfromdetention.Ø Ifprobablecausecannotbedetermined,butastatutoryneedfordetentionexists,

thecourtmaycontinuethedetentionhearingforupto72hours,onashowingofgoodcause.

Ø Ifthereisprobablecause,determinewhethercontinueddetentionisnecessary.ReviewdocumentssuchastheRAI,DJJ’sdetentionrecommendations,andthedetentionpetition.

Ø Ifthereisprobablecauseandifdetentioniswarranted,explaintothechildwhatlevelofdetentionheorshewillbeunderandthereasonsforthedetentiondetermination.

Ø Ifthereisprobablecauseandifthechildisundernonsecuredetention,explainwhatthatmeansandwhatisexpectedofthechild.

D. Setanarraignmenthearing

Ø Thehearingmustbewithin48hoursofthefilingofadelinquencypetition,excludingSaturdays,Sundays,orlegalholidays.

E. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdetention

Ø Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifyhimorherwithreasonablecertainty.

Ø Statetheageandsexofthechild.Iftheageisunknown,statethatthechildisbelievedtobeofanagethatmakeshimorhersubjecttothejuvenileproceedings.

Ø Directthedetentionofthechildandstatethereasonsor,ifappropriate,orderthereleaseofthechildandreturntohisorhernonresidentialcommitmentprogram.

Ø Makeafindingofprobablecauseorthatsuchafindingcannotbemadeatthistimeandthatthecaseiscontinuedforsuchadeterminationwithin72hoursofthechildbeingtakenintocustody.

Ø Designatetheplaceofdetentionorpersonoragencyresponsibleforsupervision,andanyspecialconditions.

Ø Statethedateandtimetheorderwasissued,thecountyandcourtfromwhereitwasissuedandthedateandtimethechildwastakenintocustody.

Ø Makeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare.Ø Orderthatchildtobereleasednolaterthan5:00p.m.onthelastdayofthe

specifiedstatutorydetentionperiodunlessacontinuancehasbeengrantedforgoodcause.

Ø Setthenextdetentionhearingdateifanextensiongranted.Ø Setdateforarraignmenthearing.

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DETENTIONHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally

1. InterpreterDeterminationIfthechildisdeaf,thecourtmustdeterminewhetheraninterpreterisneededtofacilitatecommunicationsinthehearingprocess.Checkforpriornotificationofneedforservices.Ifaninterpreterhasalreadybeenselectedandisavailableattheproceeding,verifythattheinterpretercanreadilycommunicatewiththepersoninneedofservicesandcanrepeatandtranslatecommunicationeasily.§90.6063(6).Ifaninterpreterhasnotbeenpre-selected,workwithcourtadministrationtoprovideaqualifiedinterpreter.§90.6063(3)(b).Ifnoqualifiedinterpreterisavailable,thecourtmayappointanon-qualifiedinterpreteruponafindingofgoodcause,suchasburdensomedelayorotherunusualcircumstance,andtheproposedinterpreteriscompetenttointerpret.Rule2.560(e)(3).Verifythatthechildknowsthatheorsheisallowedtoobjecttotheproposedappointmentofanon-qualifiedinterpreter.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoninterpreters.

2. Recording

Arecordofallhearingsmustbemadebyanofficialcourtreporter,acourtapprovedstenographer,orarecordingdevice.Rule8.100(f).

3. Purpose

Explainthepurposeofthedetentionhearing.Thepurposeofthedetentionhearingistodeterminewhetherthereisprobablecausethatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflaw.Rule8.010(g)(1).Ifthecourtfindsprobablecause,thenthecourtmustdeterminewhat,ifany,detentionisnecessary.§985.255(3)(a);Rule8.010(h).WhenlawenforcementturnsachildovertoDJJ,theymakestheinitialdeterminationofwhethertodetainthechildbasedonitsreviewofallavailableinformationandtheRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI).§985.245.

4. HearingTimeframe;StandardofProof

Anychildbeingdetainedmusthaveadetentionhearingwithin24hoursofbeingtakenintocustody,andnochildcanbedetainedlongerthan24hoursunlessthecircuitcourtholdsadetentionhearingandeitherentersadetentionorderorcontinues,onashowingofgoodcause,thehearingforupto72hours.§985.26;Rule8.013(a).Nodetentionordercanbeenteredwithoutahearingatwhichallpartieswillhaveanopportunitytobeheardonthenecessityforthechildtobeheldindetentionunlessthecourtfindsthattheparentorcustodiancannotbelocatedorthechild’smentalhealthorphysicalconditionissuchthatacourtappearanceisnotinthechild’sbestinterest.Rule8.010(a).Thecourtgenerally

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decideswhetherthereisprobablecausebaseduponswornstatementsortestimonypresentedbytheState.Thestandardofproofisthesameasforanarrestwarrant.Rule8.010(g)(1).

5. DetentionIssues

Thecourtcannotorderdetentionunlessthestatutorycriteriaof§§985.24and985.255aremet.Therearetwotypesofdetention:secureandnon-secure,§985.25.ThecourtcanorderaplacementmorerestrictivethanindicatedbytheRAIscore,butthecourtmuststate,inwriting,clearandconvincingreasonsforsuchplacement.§985.255(3)(b).Detentioncannotexceed21dayswithoutthecommencementofanadjudicatoryhearingunlessanextensionoftimeforgoodcauseisshown.However,someseriousoffenderscanbeheldinsecuredetentionforupto30daysiftheoffenseisonethatwouldbe,ifcommittedbyanadult,acapitalfelony,lifefelony,felonyofthefirstdegree,orfelonyoftheseconddegreethatinvolvesviolenceagainstanindividual.§985.26(2).Undernocircumstancesmayachildallegedtobedependentunderchapter39beplacedintoorheldinsecuredetention.§985.24(3).

6. IdentifyThosePresent

Identifythosepresentandtheirrelationshiptothecase.Thepartiesshouldidentifythemselvesforthecourtandtherecord.Delinquencyhearingsareopentothepublicunlessthecourtfindsthatitisinthechild’sbestinteresttorestrictthoseinattendance.§985.035.

7. NoticeAssessmentIftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Rule8.010(d)requiresthattheDJJintakeofficermustmakeadiligentefforttonotifytheparentorcustodianofthetimeandplaceofthedetentionhearing.Noticemaybebythemostexpeditiousmethodavailable.Thechildhasarighttospeakwithanyabsentparentorguardianand,ifnecessary,reasonablemeansshouldbeprovidedtodoso.Rule8.010(f)(3).However,thefailuretonoticeorthenonattendanceoftheparentorguardiandoesnotinvalidatethehearingorthedetentionorder.Rule8.010(d).Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearch,followingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.

8. PlaceAnyWitnessesUnderOath

Thecourtshouldplaceanywitnessesunderoath.8.010(g)(2).Priortotheexaminationofanywitnesses,anypartymayinvoketheruletohavethewitnessessequesteredtopreventcommunicationbetweenthewitnesses.Rule

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8.100(c).

9. OtherProceedingsDeterminationDeterminewhetherthechildisinvolvedinothercourtproceedings.Form8.929.IfthecourtisaUFC,considerconsolidatingthecasesorhearingthemtogether.

B. Adviseofrights

AchildindelinquencyproceedingsisgenerallyaffordedthesameConstitutionalrightsasadultsincriminalproceedings.Theonenotableexceptionisthatthechildisnotentitledtoajurytrial.Rule8.010(f)(1)-(4)specificallyprovideswhatrightthechildmustbeadvisedofatthedetentionhearing.1. RighttoReviewPacket;RighttoKnowCharges

Advisethechildofthecharges.Rule8.010(f)(1).Thechildhastherighttoreviewthedetentionpacketsubmittedtothecourtandbeapprisedofthecharges.

2. RighttoCounselAdvisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Rule8.010(e).Thechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatthedetentionhearing.TheCourtmustdeterminewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustmakeaspecificinquirytodeterminewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtshallmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifinsolvent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthatifheorsheisinsolvent,thechildhastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.Ifcounseliswaived,determineifthewaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegal

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counselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlessthecourtdeterminesthattherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Further,waiverofcounselcanonlyoccurafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardinganyfactorsthatwouldassistthechildinmakingthedecisiontowaivecounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.

3. RighttoRemainSilent

Advisethechildoftherighttoremainsilent.Rule8.010(f)(2).Thechildmustbeadvisedthatheorshehastherighttoremainsilentandthatanythingthatthechildsayscanbeusedagainsthimorher.

4. RighttoCommunicate

Ifthechild’sparent,custodian,orcounselisnotpresent,advisethechildofhisorherrighttocommunicatewiththem,andifnecessary,thatreasonablemeanswillbeprovidedtodoso.Rule8.010(f)(3).

5. RighttoKnowwhyContinuedDetentionisRequestedAdvisethechildofthereasonscontinueddetentionisrequested.Rule8.010(f)(4).

C. ProbableCauseDetermination

Thecourtmaybaseitsprobablecausedeterminationonasworncomplaint,affidavit,deposition,ortestimonyunderoath.Rule8.010(g).

1. StandardofProof

Thestandardofproofnecessaryfordeterminingprobablecauseisthesamestandardusedforanarrestwarrant.Rule8.010(g)(1).Thestandardofproofforanarrestwarrantiswhetherthejudge,basedontheinformationbeforehim,“reasonablybelievesthatthepersoncomplainedagainsthascommittedanoffense”withinthecourt’sjurisdiction.§901.02(1).

2. ProbableCauseDetermination

Ifnoprobablecause,thechildmustbereleasedfromdetention.Rule8.010(h).Thereleaseofthechildbaseduponafindingthatnoprobablecauseexistsdoesnotprohibitthefilingofadelinquencypetitionorfurtherdelinquencyproceedings.Rule8.010(h).

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Ifprobablecausecannotbedetermined,butastatutoryneedfordetentionexists,thecourtmaycontinuethedetentionhearingforupto72hours.Rule8.010(h).Thecourtonashowingofgoodcausemaycontinuethehearingasecondtimeforaperiodnotmorethan24hoursbeyondthe72hourperiod.Rule8.010(h).Ifprobablecauseisfound,thecourtmustthendeterminewhethercontinueddetentionisnecessaryandwhatdetentionshouldbeimposed.Rule8.010(h).Evidenceforsuchadeterminationmaybeconsideredtotheextentofitsprobativevalueeventhoughitwouldnotbecompetentatanadjudicatoryhearing.Rule8.010(g)(2).Thecourtmaycontinueormodifythecurrentdetentionplacement.DJJwillmakerecommendationstothecourtregardingthelevelofdetentionandplacement.Thecourt’sdecisionswillbebasedontheresultsoftheRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI)performedbythejuvenileprobationofficerandthestatutorydetentioncriteria.§985.245.ThecourtshouldreviewtheRAIandcorrectanymistakesmadeincalculatingtheRAIscore.§985.245(3).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonRiskAssessmentInstruments.

3. AdditionalActswhileunderSupervisionIfthechildischargedwithadditionalactswhileundersupervision,theRAIshouldbeupdatedtoreflecttheadditionalcharges.§985.245(2)(b).Thecourtshouldreviewallrelevantevidencetodeterminewhetherdetentionisstillnecessaryandwhethertherecommendedleveliscommensurate.Section985.255(3)(b)requiresthatifthecourtordersaplacementmorerestrictivethanindicatedbytheRAI,thecourtmuststateinwritingtheclearandconvincingreasonsforsuchplacement.Thecourtisnotauthorizedtoimposeaformofdetentionmorerestrictivethanthestatutorymaximum.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonmorerestrictiveplacements.Rule8.110(a)providesthatallpartiesatthedetentionhearingmustbegiventheopportunitytobeheardonwhethercontinueddetentionisnecessaryunlesstheparentscannotbelocatedorthechild’sphysicalormentalconditionprecludesappearingforthehearing.Section985.02(4)(a)requiresthattheleastrestrictivemeansthatmeettheneedsofthechildandofpublicsafetyshouldalwaysbeutilized.

4. ContinuedDetentionRegardlessofRAIScoreSection985.255setsforththestatutorycriterianecessarytocontinueachildindetention.SeeGeneralTopicsformoredetailedinformationondetentioncriteria.AlldeterminationsandcourtordersplacingachildindetentionmustalsobebasedupontheRAI,unlessthechildisplacedintodetentioncarefordomesticviolenceasdefinedin§741.28.Insuchacase,thechildwhodoesnotmeetdetentioncriteriamaybeheldinsecuredetentionifthecourtmakesspecificwrittenfindingsthat:

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• Respitecareforthechildisnotavailable;or• Itisnecessarytoplacethechildinsecuredetentioninordertoprotectthe

victimfrominjury.§985.255(2).

Achildmaynotbeheldindetentionunder985.255(2)formorethan48hourswithoutcourtorder.§985.255(2).Additionally,after48hours,thecourtmustholdahearingifthestateattorneyorthechildrequeststhatdetentionbecontinued.§985.255(2).Detentionmaybecontinuedifthecourtmakesspecificwrittenfindingsthatcontinueddetentionisnecessarytoprotectthevictimfromfurtherharm,anddetentioncannotcontinuepastthetimelimitsestablishedinFloridastatute.§985.255(2).Further,achildmaybeheldindetentionregardlessoftheRAIifthechildhadpreviouslyfailedtoappearforanadjudicatoryhearingonthesamecase,ortwoormorehearingsofanynatureinthesamecase.§985.255(1)(i)&(j).

5. IfanAnswerisFiledIfthechildfilesananswertothepetitionthatadmitstotheallegationsofthepetition,thecourtshouldverifythattheansweracknowledgesthatthechildwasadvisedofhisorherrights,andofthepossibledispositionsavailabletothecourt.§985.335.Theanswermustalsoprovideawaiverfortheadjudicatoryhearing,astatementofconsenttoanorderofadjudication,andanauthorizationforthecourttoproceedwithadispositionhearing.§985.335.Thecourtshouldfileanorderofadjudicationandsetthedispositionhearingattheearliestpracticabletimethatallowsforthecompletionofthepredispositionreportandresultingclassification.§985.335.

D. Setarraignmenthearing

Thehearingshallbewithin48hoursofthefilingofadelinquencypetition,excludingSaturdays,Sundays,orlegalholidays.Rule8.015(a).Thechildmustbegivennoticeofthearraignment;however,personalappearancebythechildbeforethecourtshallremovethenecessityofservingprocessonhimorher.Rule8.015(b)(1).

E. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdetention

1. ThecourtmaybepresentedwithadetentionorderpreparedbytheStateAttorney,ormaydrafttheorderincourt.Anydetentionordermustbeauthorizedbythecriteriasetforthin§§985.24and985.255.• Nameandaddress.Statethenameandaddressofthechildorifunknown,

designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.Rule8.013(c)(2).

• Ageandgender.Statetheageandsexofthechild.Iftheageisunknown,

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statethatthechildisbelievedtobeofanagethatmakeshimsubjecttothejuvenileproceedings.Rule8.013(c)(3).

• WaiverofCounsel.Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.

• Detentiondirections.Directthedetentionofthechildandstatethereasonsthereforor,ifappropriate,orderthereleaseofthechildandthereturntohisorhernonresidentialcommitmentprogram.Rule8.013(c)(4).

• Probablecausefinding.Makeafindingofprobablecauseorthatsuchafindingcannotbemadeatthistimeandthatthecaseiscontinuedforsuchadeterminationwithin72hoursofthechildbeingtakenintocustodyunlessthistimeisextendedbythecourtforgoodcauseshownfornotlongerthananadditional24hours.Rule8.013(c)(5).

• Detentionlocationdesignation.Designatetheplaceofdetention,orpersonoragencyresponsibleforsupervision,andanyspecialconditions.Rule8.013(c)(6).

• Dateandtime.Statethedateandtimetheorderisissued,thecountyandcourtfromwhereissued,andthedateandtimethechildwastakenintocustody.Rule8.013(c)(7).

• Releaseinstructions.Orderaspecificreleasetime,orthatthechildistobereleasednolaterthan5:00p.m.onthelastdayofthespecifiedstatutorydetentionperiodunlessacontinuancehasbeengrantedforgoodcause.Rule8.013(c)(8);§985.255(3)(c).Exceptasprovidedin§§790.22(8)or985.27,whenachildisplacedintosecureornon-securedetentioncare,orintoarespitehomeorotherplacementpursuanttoacourtorderfollowingahearing,thecourtordermustincludespecificinstructionsthatdirectthereleaseofthechildfromsuchplacementnolaterthan5:00p.m.onthelastdayofthedetentionperiodspecifiedin§§985.26or985.27,whicheverisapplicable,unlesstherequirementsofsuchapplicableprovisionhavebeenmetoranorderofcontinuancehasbeengrantedunder§985.26(4).

• Findingofcost.Thecourtmustmakeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare,ormakeafindingastoanyreductionorwaiverofcost,includingthereinthereasonsforsuchafinding.§985.039.Whenachildisplacedintononsecuredetention,probation,orothersupervisedstatuswiththeDJJ,orwhenachildiscommittedtoaminimum-risknon-residentialrestrictivenesslevel,ordertheparentorguardiantopayonedollar($1.00)perdaytotheDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(a).IfachildisplacedinsecuredetentionorplacedoncommittedstatusandtheDJJacquirestemporarylegalcustodyofsaidchild,ordertheparentorguardiantopayfivedollars($5.00)perdaytotheDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(b).IfthecourtfailstoincludeintheDetentionOrderinformationregardingcostofsupervisionandcare,theparentisdeemedtohaveanobligationtopayDJJonedollar($1.00)perdayforeachdaythechildisunderthesupervision

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ofDJJandfivedollars($5.00)perdayforeachdaythechildremainsinthecareofDJJ.§985.039(5).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoncosts.

• Setnexthearing.Setthenexthearingdateifanextensionisgranted.Rule8.010(h).Ifnoextensionisgranted,setthedateforthearraignmenthearing.Rule8.015(a).

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ARRAIGNMENTHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;741.28;985.033;985.035;985.039;985.0435;985.185;985.24;985.25;985.255;985.26;985.318;985.335RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.035;8.070;8.075;8.080;8.090;8.100;8.110;8.165;8.929RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARING

Thepurposeofthearraignmenthearingisforthechildtoenterapleaofnotguilty,guiltyornolocontendereinresponsetothedelinquencypetition.Rule8.070.Thishearingissimilartoarraignmentincriminalcourt.

TIMEFRAMEIfchildisdetained,thearraignmenthearingmustbeheldwithin48hoursofthefilingofthedelinquencypetitionexcludingSaturdays,Sundays,andlegalholidays.§985.26(6);Rule8.015(a).

BURDENOFPROOF

Thedelinquencypetitionmustbereviewedtodeterminewhetheritstatesaprimafaciecasefordelinquencyiftherehasbeennodetentionhearing.§985.13.Thereisnoburdenofproofatanarraignmenthearing.

RULESOFEVIDENCE Noevidenceissubmittedatanarraignmenthearing.

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


NEXTHEARING

Ifchildpleadsnotguilty-Adjudicatoryhearingmustcommenceassoonaspracticable(§985.35)within21daysofthechildbeingtakenintocustody.§985.26(2);Rule8.070.Ifchildpleadsguiltyornolocontendere–Dispositionmayimmediatelyfollowarraignmentifpredispositionreportisavailable(Rule8.115(b))orthedispositionhearingmaybescheduledforafuturedate.Rule8.070.

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ARRAIGNMENTHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Informthechildthatthepurposeofthearraignmenthearingisforthechildtoenter

apleaofnotguilty,guiltyornolocontenderetothedelinquencypetitionfiledbytheStateAttorney.

Ø Placethechildunderoath.Ø Haveallthepartiesidentifythemselvesfortherecordwithfullnameandpermanent

address.Advisethepartiesthatthecourtwillusetheaddressesprovidedfornoticepurposesunlessotherwisenotifiedinwriting.

Ø Determinewhethertheparents/legalguardiansarepresentorabsent.Ø Ifparents/legalguardiansareabsent,requestDJJgiveathoroughdescriptionofthe

stepstakentolocatetheparentsandprovidethemnoticeofthedetentionhearing.Ø Determinewhetherthechildisinvolvedinothercourtproceedings.Ifthecourtisa

UFC,considerconsolidatingthecasesorhearingthemtogether.

B. Adviseofrights

Ø Determinewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ø Ifchildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildofrighttocounsel,anddetermine

whethertherightisunderstood.Ø Ifthechildandchild’sparentsorguardiansareinsolvent,adviseoftherighttohave

counselappointed.Thecourtshallappointcounselunlesswaivedinwritingbythechild.Waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingthechild’srighttocounsel,theconsequencesofwaivingcounsel,andanyotherfactorsthatwouldassistthechildinmakingthedecisiontowaivecounsel.

Ø Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Ø Advisethechildoftherighttoremainsilent,andthatanythingthechildsaysmaybe

usedagainsthimorher.

C. Reviewdelinquencypetition

Ø Reviewthedelinquencypetitiontodeterminewhetherthepetitionstatesaprimafaciecaseofdelinquency.

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D. Entranceofaplea

Ø Explaintothechildthatapleaisananswertothecomplaintbroughtagainsthimorher.Verifythatthechildunderstandsthatheorshemaypleadnotguilty,guilty,nolocontendere,ormayremainsilentandrefrainfrommakingaplea.

Ø Beforeacceptingapleaofguiltyornolocontendere,thecourtmustdeterminewhetherthepleaisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Additionally,thecourtmustdeterminethatthereisafactualbasisforacceptingtheplea.

Ø Ifthepleaisacceptedbythecourt,thecaseproceedstodispositionhearing.Explaintothechildwhatwillhappennext,andwhatisexpectedofthechild.

Ø Ifpleaisnotguilty,thecaseproceedstoanadjudicatoryhearing.Explaintothechildwhatwillhappennext,andwhatisexpectedofthechild.

Ø Ifthechildismuteorpleadsevasively,enterapleaofnotguilty.

E. Setnexthearing

Ø Ifpleawasnotguilty,settheadjudicatoryhearingforassoonaspracticableandwithin21daysfromthedatethechildwasplacedintodetentioncare.Ifthechildwasnotplacedintodetentioncare,thenexthearingmustbewithin90daysoftheearlierofeitherthefilingofthepetitionorthetakingofthechildintocustody.

Ø Ifpleawasnolocontendereorguilty,thedispositionhearingmaytakeplaceimmediatelyormaybescheduledfortheearliestpracticabletimethatwillallowforthecompletionoftheassessmentprocessresultingfromthepredispositionreport.

F. Determinecustodypendingdisposition

Ø Ifthechildwasheldindetentionpriortothearraignmenthearing,thecourtwillhavetodeterminewhethercontinueddetentionisnecessarypendingdisposition.

Ø Ifthechildhascommittedadomesticviolenceoffense(asdefinedin§741.28)andheorshedoesnotmeetdetentioncriteria,thecourtcanorderthechildtobeheldinsecuredetention,withappropriatefindings.

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ARRAIGNMENTHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally

1. InterpreterDeterminationDeterminewhetheraninterpreterisneededtofacilitatecommunicationsinthehearingprocess.Checkforpriornotificationofneedforservices.Ifaninterpreterhasalreadybeenselectedandisavailableattheproceeding,verifythattheinterpretercanreadilycommunicatewiththepersoninneedofservicesandcanrepeatandtranslatecommunicationeasily.§90.6063(6).Ifaninterpreterhasnotbeenpre-selected,workwithcourtadministrationtoprovideacertifiedordulyqualifiedinterpreter.Rule14.100(a)&(b),and§90.6063(3)(b).Ifnoqualifiedinterpreterisavailable,thecourtmayappointaninterpreternotqualifiedorcertifiedifthecourtfindsthatgoodcauseexistsfortheappointmentofanon-qualifiedinterpreter,suchasburdensomedelayorotherunusualcircumstance,andtheproposedinterpreteriscompetenttointerpret.Rule2.560(e)(2).Verifythatthechildknowsthatheorsheisallowedtoobjecttotheproposedappointmentofaninterpreternotqualifiedorcertified.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoninterpreters.

2. Recording


3. Purpose

Explaintothechildthatthepurposeofthearraignmenthearingistoprovideanopportunityforthechildtoenterapleaofnotguilty,guiltyornolocontenderetothedelinquencypetitionfiledbytheStateAttorney.Ifthechildisdetained,thearraignmenthearingmusttakeplacewithin48hoursofthefilingofthedelinquencypetitionexcludingSaturdays,Sundaysandlegalholidays.§985.26(6);Rule8.015(a).


Identifythosepresentandtheirrelationshiptothecase.Thepartiesshouldidentifythemselvesfortherecord.Delinquencyhearingsareopentothepublicunlessthecourtthecourtfindsthatitisinthechild’sbestinteresttorestrictthoseinattendance.§985.035.

5. NoticeAssessmentDeterminestepstakentolocateandnoticeanyidentifiedandabsentparentsorguardiansofthearraignmenthearing.Parentsorguardiansshouldbenotifiedofthearraignmenthearing.Diligenteffortsmustbemadetonotifytheparentsorguardianofthechildofthearraignmenthearing.Rule8.015(b)(3).However,

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failureofnoticeornonattendancedoesnotinvalidatethehearing.Rule8.015(b)(4).Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearch,followingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.

6. Placethechildunderoath

7. OtherProceedingsDetermination

Determinewhetherthechildisinvolvedinothercourtproceedings.Form8.929.IfthecourtisaUFC,considerconsolidatingthecasesorhearingthemtogether.

B. Adviseofrights

1. RighttoCounselDeterminewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifchildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.§985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandchild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtshallmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthatifindigent,heorshehastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowingly,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodetermine

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whethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecordandinwriting.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthechildappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).


Unlikethedetentionhearing,thechildhasnoexplicitrighttocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardian.However,somecourtshaveattemptedtomaintainflexibilitywithregardtothehearingwhenachilddesiresthepresenceofanabsentparentorwishestocommunicatewithanabsentparent.Thesepracticesarenotcodifiedinstatuteorrule;assuch,theyaresimplypromisingpracticesthecourtmayengageinwhenachilddesirestocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardianatahearingwherethereisnoexplicitrighttocommunicate.Promisingpracticesthatallowthechildanopportunitytocommunicatewithanabsentparentinclude:• Providingatelephonetofacilitatecommunicationifaparentisavailable

telephonically;• Delayingthehearingforalatertimeonthesamedaytoallowaparenttime

toattendthehearing,ifaparentcannotattendthehearingduetoanunchangeablescheduleobligationsuchaswork;or

• Continuingthehearingtoanotherdaytoallowtheparentanopportunitytoattendthehearing,ifaparentcannotattendthehearingduetoanunchangeablescheduleobligationsuchaswork.

C. Reviewdelinquencypetition

1. ReviewforPrimaFacieCaseofDelinquencyReviewthedelinquencypetitiontodeterminewhetherthepetitionstatesaprimafaciecaseofdelinquency.TherequirementsforthedelinquencypetitionaresetforthinRule8.035.Thechilddoesnotneedtofileananswertothepetition.Anymattersthatcouldbeinananswermaybepleadedorallybeforethejudge.§985.335.

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2. AnswerFiledIfthechildfilesananswertothepetitionthatadmitstotheallegationsofthepetition,verifythattheansweracknowledgesthatthechildwasadvisedofhisorherrights,andofthepossibledispositionsavailabletothecourt.§985.335.Theanswermustalsoprovideawaiverfortheadjudicatoryhearing,astatementofconsenttoanorderofadjudication,andanauthorizationforthecourttoproceedwithadispositionhearing.§985.335.Fileanorderofadjudicationandsetthedispositionhearingattheearliestpracticabletimethatallowsforthecompletionofthepredispositionreportandresultingclassification.§985.335.

D. Entranceofaplea

1. GenerallyThechildmustenterapleaofguilty,notguilty,ornolocontenderetothechargesinthedelinquencypetition.Ifachildstandsmuteoranswersevasively,apleaofnotguiltyshallbeenteredbythecourt.Rule8.075(d).Thechildshallbepermittedtowithdrawaguiltypleaatanytimepriortothebeginningofthedispositionhearingwithashowingofgoodcause,andthewithdrawnpleaisnotconsideredanadmission.Rule8.075(e).Pleaproceedingsshallbeofrecord.Rule8.080(d).Untilacceptedbythecourt,thepleaofferornegotiationmaybewithdrawnbyeitherparty.Rule8.080(e).Failuretofollowtheruleshallnotrenderthepleavoidabsentashowingofprejudice.Rule8.080(g).

2. PleaofNotGuilty

Ifthechildentersapleaofnotguilty,determinewhethertheadjudicatoryhearingmaytakeplaceimmediatelyorifitmustbesetforafuturedate,nolaterthan21daysafterthechildwastakenintocustody.

3. PleaofGuiltyorNoloContendere

Ifthechildentersapleaofguiltyornolocontendere,determinewhetherpleaisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Rule8.075(a).Thecourtmayrefusetoacceptapleaofguiltyornolocontendereandmustnotaccepteitherpleawithoutfirstdeterminingthatthepleaisvoluntary,andwiththefullunderstandingofthenatureoftheallegationsandthepossibleconsequencesofthepleaandthatthereisafactualbasisforsuchplea.Rule8.075(a).Ifitisanticipatedthataguiltyornolocontenderepleaisgoingtobeentered,defensecounselcanrequestapredispositionreportbepreparedpriortothearraignmenthearing.

4. DetermineVoluntarinessofGuiltyorNoloContenderePlea

Beforeacceptingapleaofguiltyornolocontendere,thecourtmustdeterminethatthepleaisknowingly,intelligently,andvoluntarilyenteredandthatthereisafactualbasisforit.Rule8.080(a).Whenmakingthisdetermination,thecourtmustaddressthechildpersonally.Rule8.080(b).Determinethatthechildunderstands:

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• thenatureofthechargestowhichthepleaisofferedandthepossibledispositionsavailabletothecourt,Rule8.080(b)(1);

• that,ifnotrepresentedbycounsel,therighttocounselandtherighttohavecounselifindigent,Rule8.080(b)(2);

• therighttopleadnotguilty,therighttoanadjudicatoryhearingwherethechildhastherighttocounsel,therighttocompeltheattendanceofwitnessesonhisorherbehalf,therighttocrossexamineadversewitnesses,therighttotestify,andtherightnottotestify,Rule8.080(b)(3);

• that,ifthechildpleadsguiltyornocontestwithoutexpressreservationofrighttoappeal,therighttoappealallmattersrelatedtothejudgmentarewaived.Reviewbycollateralattackisnotimpaired,Rule8.080(b)(4);

• thatapleaofguiltyornocontestwaivestherighttoanadjudicatoryhearing,Rule8.080(b)(5);

• that,ifthechildpleadsnocontestorguilty,thecourtcanaskthechildquestionsunderoathandtheanswerscanbeusedforasubsequentperjuryprosecution,Rule8.080(b)(6);

• thecompletetermsofthepleaagreementincludingallobligationsthechildwillincurasaresult,Rule8.080(b)(7);and

• thatifthechildpleadsguiltyornolocontenderetoasexuallyviolentorsexuallymotivatedoffense,orifthechildhasbeenpreviouslyadjudicatedforsuchanoffense,thepleamayresultinthechildbeingplacedincivilcommitmentasasexuallyviolentpredatoruponthecompletionofhis/hersentence.Rule8.080(b)(8).

5. DeterminationofVoluntarinessandNon-CitizenJuveniles

Althoughthereisnoequivalentdelinquencyrule,theFloridaRuleofCriminalProcedure3.172(c)(8)makesmandatorythattheadultcriminalcourtincludeinadeterminationofthevoluntarinessofapleathefollowing:• Ifthedefendantpleadsguiltyornolocontendere,ifheorsheisnotaUnited

Statescitizen,thepleamaysubjecthimorhertodeportationpursuanttothelawsandregulationsgoverningtheUnitedStatesImmigrationandNaturalizationService.ItshallnotbenecessaryforthetrialjudgetoinquireastowhetherthedefendantisaUnitedStatescitizen,asthisadmonitionshallbegiventoalldefendantsinallcases.

Furthermore,thecourtinInreAmendmentstotheFloridaRulesofCriminalProcedure,536So.2d992(Fla.1988),indicatedthattheadultruleismandatory,withoutinquiringastothedefendant’scitizenship,“toprotectthedefendant’sdueprocessrights.”

Thus,priortothechildenteringaplea,thejuvenilecourtmayalsoadvisethechildthat,ifheorsheisnotaUnitedStatescitizen,apleaofguiltyornolocontenderemaysubjecthimorhertodeportationpursuanttothelawsand

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regulationsgoverningtheUnitedStatesImmigrationandNaturalizationService.Ifsuchastatementisincludedinavoluntarinessdetermination,similartotheadultcriminalrule,itshouldbegiventoalljuvenilesinalljuveniledelinquencycases;thecourtisnotrequiredtoinquireastowhetherthejuvenileisaUnitedStatescitizenbeforeprovidingsuchastatement.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformation.

6. AcknowledgementbytheChild

Beforethecourtacceptsaguiltyornocontestplea,thecourtmustdeterminethatthechildeither:• acknowledgesguilt,Rule8.080(c)(1);or• acknowledgesthatthepleaisinthechild’sbestinterest,whilemaintaining

innocence.Rule8.080(c)(2).

Importantnoteforcertainjuvenilesexoffenders.EffectiveJuly1,2007,§943.0435,wasamendedtorequirecertainjuvenilesexoffenderstoregisterwiththeFloridaDepartmentofLawEnforcement(FDLE)andtheiridentitybepostedontheFDLEwebsite.ForoffensesoccurringonorafterJuly1,2007,ajuvenilewhowas14yearsofageorolderatthetimeoftheoffenseandisadjudicateddelinquentofaqualifyingoffensemustregisterasasexualoffender.Tohelpensurethatpleasareknowinglymade,anypleacolloquyforaqualifiedoffenseshouldincludeinformationaboutthesexoffenderregistrationrequirements.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonjuvenilesexualoffenders.

E. Setnexthearing

1. IfaPleaofGuiltyorNoloContendereIfthechildpleadsguiltyornolocontendere,adispositionhearingcanoccurimmediatelyafterthepleaistakenifapredispositionreporthasbeenprepared.Rule8.070(b).Thecasecanalsobesetforadispositionhearingforalaterdate.§985.335.Priortodisposition,ifthechildisindetention,theneedforcontinueddetentionmustalsobereviewed.§985.26.Acomprehensiveevaluationfordispositionisrequiredifresidentialcommitmentisanticipatedorrecommended,§985.185(1),includingapredispositionreport.§985.43(1)(a).

2. IfaPleaofNotGuilty

Ifthechildpleadsnotguilty,thecaseproceedstoanadjudicatoryhearingand/ormediation.Theadjudicatoryhearingcancommenceimmediatelyorthecourtmaysetafuturetimefortheadjudicatoryhearing.Rule8.110(b).Ifthechildisrepresentedbycounsel,thechildmayfileawrittenpleaofnotguiltyatorbeforethearraignmenthearingandthearraignmentproceedingwillbedeemedwaived.Rule8.070(b).Thechilddoesnotneedtobepresentatthearraignmentifawrittenpleaofnotguiltyhasbeenentered.

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3. TimeLimits

Ifthereistobeanadjudicatoryhearing,andthechildisnotheldindetention,itmustoccurwithin90daysoftheearlierof:• thedatethechildwastakenintocustody;or• thedatethechildwasservedwiththesummonsthatwasissuedwhenthe

petitionwasfiled.Rule8.090(a).However,thechildcanfilea“DemandforSpeedyTrial”andhavetherighttotheadjudicatoryhearingwithin50daysofthefilingofthedemand.Rule8.090(g)(4).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonspeedytrials.Ifthechildisheldindetention,theadjudicatoryhearingmustbecommencedwithin21daysofthechildbeingplacedintodetentioncare,§985.26,unlessthechildhaswaivedthetimeperiodsbyrequestingcontinuances.

F. Determinecustodypendingdisposition

1. ReviewRAIIfthechildwasheldindetentionpriortothearraignmenthearing,thecourtwillhavetodeterminewhethercontinueddetentionisnecessarypendingdisposition.§§985.24(1);985.255(2).ThecourtmayreviewtheRAIscoreforassistanceindeterminingcustody,andwillneedtomakefindingsthatthechild:• Presentsariskofnotappearingatthenexthearing;• Presentsariskofbodilyharmtoothersasevidencedbyrecentbehavior;• Presentsahistoryofcommittingpropertyoffensespriortoadjudication,

disposition,orplacement;or• Requestsprotectionfromimminentbodilyharm.§985.24(1)(a)-(c),(e).

2. IfaDomesticViolenceOffenseisAlleged

Ifthechildisallegedtohavecommittedadomesticviolenceoffense(asdefinedin§741.28)andheorshedoesnotmeetdetentioncriteria,thecourtcanorderthechildtobeheldinsecuredetentionifthecourtmakeswrittenfindingsthat:• Respitecareforthechildisnotavailable.• Itisnecessarytoplacethechildinsecuredetentiontoprotectthevictim

frominjury.§985.255(2)(a)-(b).

Achildmaynotbeheldindetentionunder985.255(2)formorethan48hourswithoutcourtorder.§985.255(2).Additionally,after48hours,thecourtmustholdahearingifthestateattorneyorthechildrequeststhatdetentionbecontinued.§985.255(2).Detentionmaybecontinuedifthecourtmakesspecificwrittenfindingsthatcontinueddetentionisnecessarytoprotectthevictimfromfurtherharm,anddetentioncannotcontinuepastthetimelimitsestablishedinFloridastatute.§985.255(2).

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3. ReasonsnottoPlacetheChild

However,achildmaynotbeplacedintodetentioncareforanyofthefollowingreasons:• toallowaparentorguardiantoavoidhisorherlegalresponsibility;• topermitmoreconvenientadministrativeaccesstothechild;• tofacilitatefurtherinterrogationorinvestigation;or• duetoalackofmoreappropriatefacilities.§985.24(2)(a)-(d).

Also,achildmaynot,underanycircumstances,beplacedintosecuredetentionifthechildisallegedtobedependentunderChapter39.§985.24(3).

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ADJUDICATORYHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§985.033-985.039;985.185;985.26;985.35;985.43;985.445;985.534;985.35RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.055;8.060;8.065;8.090;8.100;8.110;8.165;8.929RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARINGThepurposeoftheadjudicatoryhearingistodeterminewhetherthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflaw.

TIMEFRAME

Forachildheldindetention,theadjudicatoryhearingmustbecommencedwithin21daysofthechildbeingtakenintocustody.Thecourtmayextendthelengthofdetentionanadditional9daysforcertainoffenses.§985.26(2)Forachildnotheldindetention,theadjudicatoryhearingmustbeheldwithin90daysofthefilingofthedelinquencypetition,orwithin50daysofthefilingbythechildofaDemandforSpeedyTrial.Rule8.090(g)(4).

BURDENOFPROOF

Thepetitionermustprovetheallegationsinthedelinquencypetitionthatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflawbeyondareasonabledoubt.§985.35(2)(a).

RULESOFEVIDENCE Rulesofevidenceusedincriminalcases.§985.35(2).

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


NEXTHEARING

Adispositionhearingmustoccurassoonaspossibleaftertheadjudicatoryhearing.Childcannotremainindetentionforlongerthan15daysfollowingentryofanorderofadjudication.§985.26(3).

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ADJUDICATORYHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepurposeoftheadjudicatoryhearingistoallowthe

petitioneranopportunitytoprovetheallegationsinthedelinquencypetitionbeyondareasonabledoubt.

Ø Placethechildandallwitnesses,includingtheparents,underoath.Ø Haveallthepartiesidentifythemselvesfortherecordwithfullnameand

permanentaddress.Advisethepartiesthatthecourtwillusetheaddressesprovidedfornoticepurposesunlessotherwisenotifiedinwriting.

Ø Determinewhethertheparents/legalguardiansarepresentorabsent.Ø Ifparents/legalguardiansareabsent,requestDJJgiveathoroughdescriptionof

thestepstakentolocatetheparentsandprovidethemnoticeofthehearing.Ø Determinewhetherthechildisinvolvedinothercourtproceedings.Ifthecourtis

aUFC,considerconsolidatingthecasesorhearingthemtogether.

B. Adviseofrights

Ø Determinewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ø Ifthechildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel,and

determinewhethertherightisunderstood.Ø Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thecourtshallappoint

counselunlesswaivedbythechild.Waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingthechild’srighttocounsel,theconsequencesofwaivingcounsel,andanyotherfactorsthatwouldassistthechildinmakingthedecisiontowaivecounsel.Thiswaivershallbeinwriting.

Ø Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Ø Advisethechildofhisorherrighttoremainsilent,andthatanythingthechildsays

canbeusedagainsthimorher.

C. Adjudicatoryhearingprocess

Ø Thechildmaytestifyonhisorherownbehalfandintroduceevidence.Verifythatthechildunderstandswhatthismeans.

Ø Therulesofevidenceandproceduresappliedincriminalcasesareappliedindelinquencycases.Explaintothechildthatthepetitionermustprovethechargeofdelinquencybeyondareasonabledoubt-thatthechargemustbeproventotheextentthatthereisno"reasonabledoubt"inthemindofareasonablepersonthatthechildisguilty.

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D. Delinquencydetermination

Ø Ifdelinquencyisnotproven,dismissthecaseanddischargethechild.Ø Ifdelinquencyisproven,thecaseproceedstodisposition.Explainwhatwill

happennextandwhatisexpectedofthechild.Ø Ifdelinquencyisproven,determinewhethertowithholdadjudicationor

adjudicatethechilddelinquent.Ø Statethefactualbasisforthedetermination.Tellthechildthereasonsforthe

determinationinclear,simpleterms.

E. Custodypendingdisposition

Ø Explaintothechildanycustodydecisionsmadeandthereasonsforthem.

F. Adviseofrighttoappeal

Ø Verifythatthechildunderstandthisright.

G. Setdispositionhearing

Ø Ifapredispositionreporthasnotbeendone,orderittobedoneandsetthedispositionforadateafterthereporthasbeencompleted.

Ø IfapredispositionreporthasbeencompletedandDJJhasissueditsrecommendation,thecourtmayholdthedispositionhearingimmediately,ormaysetitforafuturedate.

Ø Adispositionhearingmustoccurassoonaspossibleaftertheadjudicatoryhearing.Ifthechildisindetentioncare,thedispositionhearingmustbeheldnolaterthan15daysfollowingentryofanorderofadjudication.

H. Requirementsforwrittenorderofadjudication

Ø Itmuststatethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.

Ø Ifcounseliswaived,makefindingthatwaiverwasknowing,voluntary,andintelligent.

Ø Writtenordermuststatefindingsandfactualbasisfordelinquencydecision.Ø Ifchildisfoundnottohavecommitteddelinquentact,makefindingandorderthe

releaseofthechild.Includereasonsforsuchafinding.Ø Ifchildisfoundtohavecommittedadelinquentact,makefindingandorderan

adjudicationofdelinquencyorwithholdingofadjudication.Includereasonsforsuch.Ø Directthedetentionofthechildandstatethereasonsor,ifappropriate,orderthe

releaseofthechildandreturntohisorhernonresidentialcommitmentprogram,orreleasethechildpendingdisposition.

Ø Makeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare.Ø Setthenexthearingdate.

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ADJUDICATORYHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally


2. Recording


3. PurposeExplainthatthepurposeoftheadjudicatoryhearingistoprovidethepetitioneranopportunitytoprovetheallegationsofthedelinquencypetitionbeyondareasonabledoubt.§985.35(2)(a).Delinquencyadjudicatoryhearingsareconductedbythecourtwithoutajury.Rule8.110(c).Therulesofevidenceusedincriminalcasesapplytoadjudicatoryhearings.§985.35(2).Thechildhastherighttopresentevidenceandtocross-examinewitnesses.§985.35(2)(b).Theadjudicatoryhearingmustbeheldassoonaspracticableafterthepetitionfordependencyisfiled,butnotmorethan21daysafterchildisplacedindetentioncare.§985.26(2).Forachildnotheldindetention,theadjudicatoryhearingmustbeheldwithin90daysofthefilingofthedelinquencypetition,orwithin50daysofthefilingofademandforaspeedytrial.Rule8.090(g)(4).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonspeedytrials.

4. IdentifyThosePresentIdentifythosepresentandtheirrelationshiptothecase.Thosepresentshouldidentifythemselvesforthecourtandtherecord.Delinquencyhearingsareopentothepublicunlessthecourtfindsthatitisinthechild’sbestinteresttorestrictthoseinattendance.§985.035.

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5. NoticeAssessment

Ifthereareanyidentifiedparentsorguardianswhoareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinestepstakentolocateandservenoticeoftheadjudicatoryhearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearch,followingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.Thenonattendancebyaparentorguardianmayrequirethecontinuanceofanadjudicatoryhearing.Ifthecourtordersthechildtopaymonetaryrestitution,itisdonethroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Additionally,thestatemayseekrestitutionorcommunityservicebythechild’sparents;aseparatepetitioncalleda“PetitionforParentalSanctions”mustbefiledwiththecourt,andtheparentsorguardiansmustbeserved.Rules8.030and8.031.Ifeitherofthesesituationshasoccurred,alackofserviceorafailuretoappearmaybegroundsforacontinuanceofthehearing,ifapartycanshowgoodcauseforthecontinuance.Rule8.100(e).

6. Placethechildandanywitnesses,includingtheparents,underoathIfthechildispresentingtestimonyonhis/herownbehalf,thecourtshouldplacethechildunderoath.Rule8.110(d).Thecourtshouldalsoplaceanywitnesseswhowillpresenttestimonyunderoath.Priortotheexaminationofanywitnesses,anypartymayinvoketheruletohavethewitnessessequesteredtopreventcommunicationbetweenthewitnesses.Rule8.100(d).

7. JointTrials

Where2ormorechildrenareallegedtohavejointlycommittedadelinquentactorviolationofthelaw,theyshallbetriedjointlyunlessthecourtisitsdiscretionordersseparatetrials.Rule8.110(e).



B. Adviseofrights

AchildindelinquencyproceedingsisgenerallyaffordedthesameConstitutionalrightsasadultsincriminalproceeding.Childrenareentitledtodueprocess,righttocounsel,andrightagainstself-incriminationandillegalsearchandseizure.§985.35(2).Theonenotableexceptionistherighttoajury–achildinadelinquencyproceedingdoesnothavetherighttoatrialbyjury.

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1. RighttoCounsel

Determinewhetherthechildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifthechildappearswithoutcounsel,advisehimorheroftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtshallmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthatifindigent,heorshehastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowingly,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecordandinwriting.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).


Unlikethedetentionhearing,thechildhasnoexplicitrighttocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardian.However,somecourtshaveattemptedtomaintainflexibilitywithregardtothehearingwhenachilddesiresthepresence

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ofanabsentparentorwishestocommunicatewithanabsentparent.Thesepracticesarenotcodifiedinstatuteorrule;assuch,theyaresimplypromisingpracticesthecourtmayengageinwhenachilddesirestocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardianatahearingwherethereisnoexplicitrighttocommunicate.Promisingpracticesthatallowthechildanopportunitytocommunicatewithanabsentparentinclude:• Providingatelephonetofacilitatecommunicationifaparentisavailable




3. RighttoRemainSilentAdvisethechildofhisorherrighttoremainsilent.Thechildmustbeapprisedthatheorshehastherightagainstself-incrimination.Thecourtmustadvisethechildthatheorshehastherighttoremainsilentandthatanythingthechildsayscanbeusedagainsthimorherasanadmission.§985.35(2).

C. Adjudicatoryhearingprocess

Conductthehearing,tothefullestextentpracticable,inlanguageunderstandabletothechildbeforethecourt.§985.35(2).1. DefenseofAlibi

Ifachildwantstopresentanalibiasadefense,thestateattorneymaydemandinwritingthatthechildprovidethestateattorneywiththedetailsofthealibidefense;thechildmustcomplynotlessthan10daysbeforethetrialdate.Rule8.065(a).Thestateattorneymaythenpreparealistofrebuttalwitnesseswithin5daysofreceiptoftheinformation,andmustpresentthatlisttothechild.Rule8.065(b).ShouldthechildfailtoorrefusetocomplywithRule8.065,thecourtmay,initsdiscretion,excludetestimonyofalibiwitnessesotherthanthatofthechild.Rule8.065(c).ShouldthestateattorneyfailtocomplywiththeRule8.065,thecourtmay,initsdiscretion,excluderebuttaltestimonyofferedbythestate.Rule8.065(c).AsperRule8.065(d),forgoodcauseshown,thecourtmaywaivetherequirementsofRule8.065.

2. ParticipationintheDiscoveryProcess

Participationbythechildinthediscoveryprocessshallbeanelectiontoparticipateindiscovery.Rule8.060(a)(1).Ifthereisashowingofmaterialitytothepreparationofthedefense,thecourtcanorderdiscoveryotherthaninthewrittendiscoveryexhibit.Rule8.060(a)(5).Uponapplication,thecourtmaydeny

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orpartiallyrestrictdisclosureauthorizedbyRule8.060ifitfindsthereisasubstantialrisktoanypersonofphysicalharm,intimidation,bribery,economicreprisals,orunnecessaryannoyanceorembarrassmentresultingfromsuchdisclosure,whichoutweighsanyusefulnessofthedisclosuretothepartyrequestingit.Rule8.060(c)(1).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediscoveryprocess.

3. RulesofEvidence

Therulesofevidenceappliedincriminalcasesareappliedindelinquencycases.§985.35(2).Achildchargedwithadelinquentactorviolationofthelawisaffordedallrightsagainstself-incrimination.§985.35(2)(c).Evidenceillegallyseizedorobtainedshallnotbeadmittedintoevidencetoestablishtheallegationsagainstthechild.§985.35(2)(c).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoncommonevidenceissues.

4. ChildAllowedtoTestifyandIntroduceEvidence

Thechildmaytestifyonhisorherownbehalfandintroduceevidence.§985.35(2)(b).Thechildmaybecross-examinedlikeotherwitnesses,Rule8.110(d),andmaycross-examinewitnesses.§985.35(2)(b).Nochildcanbecompelledtogivetestimonyagainsthim-orherself,andnoprosecutingattorneycancommentonanysuchfailuretotestify.Rule8.110(d).

5. RighttoaClosingArgument

Allchildrenhavetherighttoaclosingargument.However,theorderinwhichthechildandthestatepresenttheirclosingargumentsmayvary,dependingonwhetherthechildhaspresentedanyevidenceorofferedanytestimonyotherthanhisorherown.Ifthechildhaspresentedevidenceortestimonyotherthanhisorherown,thestatepresentsthefirstclosingargument(andtherebuttalclosingargument)andthechildpresentsthesecondclosingargument.If,however,thechildhaspresentednotestimonyorevidenceotherthanhisorherown,thechildisentitledtopresenttheinitialclosingargumentandarebuttalargument.Rule8.110(d).Thestateisallowedtopresentthesecondclosingargument.

InD.B.v.State,979So.2d1119(Fla.3dDCA2008),thecourtheldthatD.B.,whopresentednoevidencenorofferedanytestimonyotherthanhisown,wasentitledtopresentthefirstandfinalclosingarguments;thisisheldtobedifferentthanadultcriminalprosecutions,wheretheStateisentitledtogivethefirstandreplyclosingarguments,perFla.R.Crim.P.3.381.Thecourtfurtherheldthatthisrightisavestedproceduralright.

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D. Delinquencydetermination

1. IfDelinquencyisnotProvenIfdelinquencyhasnotbeenproven,dismissthecaseanddischargethechild.§985.35(3);Rule8.110(f).

2. IfDelinquencyisProvenIfdelinquencyhasbeenproven,determinewhethertowithholdadjudicationoradjudicatechilddelinquent.§985.35(4).Thecourtcanimposeanarrayofconditions,includingbutnotlimitedtorestitution,communityservice,orcurfew.§985.35(4)(a).Ifthechildfailstocomply,thecourtmayafterahearingonnoncomplianceenteranadjudicationofdelinquency.§985.35(4)(c).Ifthechildisadjudicateddelinquent,thecourtmustthendecidedisposition.Ifthepre-dispositionreportisavailable,thecourtmayimmediatelyproceedtodisposition,orcontinuethecasetoadispositionhearing.Rule8.110(g).Ifapredispositionreportisnotready,thecourtwillcontinuethecaseandreferthechildtotheappropriateagency.Rule8.110(g).Anadjudicationofdelinquencyshallnotbedeemedtobeaconviction,norwillthechildbedeemedtobeacriminalbyreasonofthatadjudication.§985.35(6).

3. WithholdingAdjudication

Thecourtmay,initsdiscretion,enteranorderstatingthefactsuponwhichitsfindingisbasedbutwithholdadjudication.§985.35(4).Uponwithholdingadjudication,thecourtmayplacethechildinaprobationprogramunderthesupervisionofDJJ.§985.35(4)(a).Onerecentarticlesuggestedthatwithholdingadjudicationmaybebeneficialtothecourtbecauseawithholdingwillincreasejudicialefficiency,andmayallowthecourtanopportunitytodemonstrateleniencyforuncharacteristicbehavior.(seeTragos,G.andSartes,P.WithholdofAdjudication:WhatEveryoneNeedstoKnow.FloridaBarJournal(Feb.1,2008).)Withholdingadjudicationmaybebeneficialtothechildaswell.Awithholdingofadjudicationcouldprecludethechildfromcollateralconsequencestoanadjudicationofdelinquency(seeTragosandSartes,supra)andkeepthechild’slegalrecordclearofdelinquentadjudications.

4. WrittenFindingifChildisinaPublicSchool

Regardlessofwhetheradjudicationiswithheld,ifthechildisattendingpublicschoolandthevictimorsiblingalsoattendsthatschool,thecourtmustmakeawrittenfindingunder§985.455(2).Thecourtmustdeterminewhetheranocontactorderinfavorofthevictimorvictim’ssiblingisappropriate.Ifthecourtfindsthatitisappropriate,andifthevictimorvictim’srepresentativefindsitappropriate,thecourtmayreflectsuchdeterminationsinwritingorinopencourt,andincludeastatementthatthevictimorvictim’srepresentativedidnotobjecttotheoffenderchildattendingthesameschoolorridingthesamebusas

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thevictimorvictim’ssiblings.§985.455(2).5. OrderofAdjudication

Ifthecourtfindsthechildhascommittedadelinquentactorviolationofthelaw,thecourtshallincorporatethatfindingintoanorderofadjudicationofdelinquency,statingthefactsuponwhichthefindingismade.§985.35(5).

6. DegreesofOffensesIncluded

Ifthepetitionallegesanoffenseoroffensesthataredividedintodegrees,thecourtmayfindthatthechildcommittedanoffenseofthedegreeallegedortoalesserdegree.Rule8.110(h).Onapetitionforanyoffense,thecourtmayfindthatthechildcommittedanattempttocommittheoffenseoranynecessarilyincludedorlesserincludedoffenseoftheoffensechargedinthepetition.Rule8.110(j).

7. MotionforJudgmentofDismissal.Rule8.110(k).

Atthecloseofpetitioner’sevidence,thecourtmaydismissthepetitiononitsown,oronmotionbythestateattorneyorthechild,ifthecourtfindstheevidenceinsufficienttoestablishaprimafaciecaseofdelinquency.Whenmakingsuchadetermination,thecourtmustviewtheevidenceinthelightmostfavorabletotheState.

E. Custodypendingdisposition

Ifthecaseiscontinuedpendingadispositionhearing,thecourtmayorderthechilddetained.Rule8.110(g).However,thecourtmustplaceindetentioncareallchildrenwhoareadjudicateddelinquentandawaitingplacementinacommitmentprogram.§985.27.

F. Adviseofrighttoappeal

Anappealfromanadjudicatoryordermaybetakentotheappropriatedistrictcourtwithinthetimeandmannerprescribedin§924.051andFla.RulesofAppellateProcedurebythechild,parentorguardian,orthestate.§985.534(1)(a)&(b).InL.B.v.State,10So.3d1161(Fla.3dDCA2009),thecourtheld,“Topreserveanissueforappeal,alitigantmustmakeatimely,contemporaneousobjection,statingalegalgroundforthatobjection.Thepurposefortheruleisto‘placethetrialjudgeonnoticethaterrormayhavebeencommitted,andprovidehimanopportunitytocorrectitatanearlystageoftheproceedings.’(citingHarrellv.State,894So.2d935(Fla.2005)at340).”(Emphasisadded.)

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G. Setdispositionhearing

1. GenerallyApredispositionreportmustbeorderedbythecourtforanychildforwhomaresidentialcommitmentdispositionisanticipatedorrecommendedbyanofficerofthecourtorDJJ.Evaluationshallbeorderedforanychildforwhomresidentialcommitmentdispositionisanticipatedorrecommended.§985.185(1).Thecourtmayorderanyadditionalreports.§985.185(2).Achildwhowasnotinsecuredetentionatthetimeoftheadjudicatoryhearing,butforwhomresidentialcommitmentisanticipatedorrecommended,maybeplacedunderaspecialdetentionorderunder§985.26(5)forthepurposeofconductingacomprehensiveevaluation.§985.43(1).

2. IfReportisUnavailable

Ifthepredispositionreportisunavailableatthetimeoftheadjudicatoryhearing,thecourtmaycontinuethecaseuntilsuchatimeasitisavailable,Rule8.110(g),althoughnotmorethan15daysfollowingtheentryofanorderofadjudication,ifthechildisindetentioncare.§985.26(3).Thecourtshouldreferthechildtotheappropriateagencyforastudyandrecommendation.Rule8.110(g).

H. Requirementsforwrittenorderofadjudication

1. Thecourtordermustbeinwritingandmustsetforththefactsuponwhichthefindingthatthechildcommittedadelinquentactisbased.Rule8.055.• Nameandaddress.Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,

designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.

• WaiverofCounsel.Ifcounselwaswaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,voluntary,andintelligent.

• Detentiondirections.Directthedetentionofthechildpendingdispositionandstatethereasonsthereforor,ifappropriate,orderthereleaseofthechildandreturntohisorhernonresidentialcommitmentprogram.

• FindingofAdjudication.Ifthechildwasfoundnottohavecommitteddelinquentact,makeafinding,statingfactsthefindingisbasedon,andorderthereleaseofthechild.Ifthechildwasfoundtohavecommittedadelinquentact,makeafindingandorderthechildadjudicateddelinquentorwithholdadjudication,andbrieflystatethefactsuponwhichthefindingismade.§985.35(5).

• Specifyoffenses.Ifthepetitionallegesmorethanoneoffense,oranoffensedividedintodegrees,specifywhichoffenseoroffensesthechildwasfoundtohavecommitted.Rule8.110(i).

• Releaseinstructions.Exceptasprovidedin§§790.22(8)or985.27,whenachildisplacedintosecureornonsecuredetentioncare,orintoarespitehomeorotherplacementpursuanttoacourtorderfollowingahearing,the

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courtordermustincludespecificinstructionsthatdirectthereleaseofthechildfromsuchplacementnolaterthan5:00p.m.onthelastdayofthedetentionperiodspecifiedin§§985.26or985.27,whicheverisapplicable,unlesstherequirementsoftheapplicableprovisionhavebeenmetoranorderofcontinuancehasbeengrantedunderFla.Stat.§985.26(4).

• Findingofcost.Thecourtmustmakeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare,ormakeafindingastoanyreductionorwaiverofcost,includingthereinthereasonsforsuchafinding.§985.039.Whenachildisplacedintononsecuredetention,probation,orothersupervisedstatuswithDJJ,orwhenachildiscommittedtoaminimum-risknon-residentialrestrictivenesslevel,ordertheparentorguardiantopayonedollar($1.00)perdaytoDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(a).IfachildisplacedinsecuredetentionorplacedoncommittedstatusandDJJacquirestemporarylegalcustodyofthechild,ordertheparentorguardiantopayfivedollars($5.00)perdaytoDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(b).IfthecourtfailstoincludeintheDetentionOrderinformationregardingcostofsupervisionandcare,theparentisdeemedtohaveanobligationtopayDJJonedollar($1.00)perdayforeachdaythechildisunderthesupervisionofDJJandfivedollars($5.00)perdayforeachdaythechildremainsinthecareofDJJ.§985.039(5).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoncosts.

• Setnexthearing.

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DISPOSITIONHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;318.143;790.22;938.03;985.0301;955.033;985.035;985.039;985.255;985.26;985.27;985.35;985.43;985.433;985.435;985.437;985.441;985.455;985.46;985.601;985.721RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.055;8.100;8.110;8.115;8.165;8.929;8.947RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARINGThepurposeofthedispositionhearingisforthecourttoconsiderreports,recommendations,andotherevidencetodeterminethedispositionofthecase.

TIMEFRAMEThedispositionhearingshouldbeheldnotmorethan15daysfollowingtheentryofanorderofadjudication,ifthechildisindetentioncare.§985.26(3).

RULESOFEVIDENCE

Courtmayreceiveanyrelevantandmaterialevidencehelpfulindeterminingtheproperdisposition.Thecourtmayrelyuponsuchevidencetotheextentofitsprobativevalue,evenifitisnotcompetentinanadjudicatoryhearing.Rule8.115(a).

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


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DISPOSITIONHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepurposeofthedispositionhearingisforthecourtto

considerreports,recommendations,andotherrelevantandmaterialevidencetodeterminethedispositionofthecase.

Ø Haveallthepartiesidentifythemselvesfortherecordwithfullnameandpermanentaddress.Advisethepartiesthatthecourtwillusetheaddressesprovidedfornoticepurposesunlessotherwisenotifiedinwriting.




B. Adviseofrights






C. Reviewpredispositionreport

Ø Thecourtmustconsiderthepredispositionreportifonewasprepared.Ø Inadditiontothepredispositionreport,thecourtmustconsidertheunderlying

comprehensiveassessmentandrecordsofearlierjudicialproceedings.Ø Thecourtcanwithholdadjudicationifthecourtfindsthatnoactionotherthan

supervisioninthechild’shomeisrequired.Ø Thecourtmayalsowithholdadjudication,placethechildinaprobationprogram

andimposepenaltycomponentssuchasrestitution,communityservice,orother

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nonresidentialpunishmentappropriatetotheoffense.

D. Commitmentdetermination

Ø Thefirstdeterminationthecourtmustmakeisadeterminationofsuitabilityforadjudicationandcommitmentofthechildtothedepartment.

Ø Ifthecourtadjudicatesthechilddelinquent,thecourtmustthendecidewhethercommitmentisappropriatebaseduponthedetentioncriteria.

Ø DJJwillrecommendtothecourtaplacementlevelandindividualizedtreatmentplanforthechild.

Ø Thecourtmustincludeapenaltycomponentinaprobationprogramforachildadjudicateddelinquent.

Ø Thecourtmayorderachildadjudicateddelinquenttomakerestitution,ormayordertheparentorguardiantomakerestitution.

Ø Thecourtmayalsoorderthechildbeplacedonpost-commitmentprobationatanytimebeforerelease.

Ø Thecourtmayorderconditionalreleaseservicestopromoterehabilitation.Ø Thecourtmustorderotherpenaltiesifthechildisadjudicatedforoffenses

involvingfirearmsandoffensesinvolvingalcoholconsumption.Ø Verifythatthechildunderstandswhatisbeingordered,howitwillaffectthechild,

andwhatwillbeexpectedofhimorher.Explainthetermsofdispositionclearlyandinlanguagethechildcanunderstand.

E. Detentionpendingcommitment

Ø Childrencommittedtoaresidentialprogrammustbeplacedintosomeformofdetentioncarependingplacementintotheresidentialprogram.Explainwhatthatmeans,whatisexpectedofthechild,andwhattheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequiredare.

F. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdisposition

Ø Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.

Ø Statethedispositionofeachcountspecifyingthecharge,thedegreeofoffense,andthemaximumpenaltydefinedbystatute.

Ø Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,voluntary,andintelligent.

Ø Stategeneralandspecificconditionsorsanctions,includinganyrestitutionorprobationprovisions.

Ø Makefindingsastothedispositionofthechild.Ø Statethedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountryandcourtwhereissued.Ø Thechild’sfingerprintsshallbeaffixedtotheorderofdisposition.Ø Statetheperiodofthedisposition.Ø Statewhetherthecourtretainsjurisdictionoverdischarge.

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DISPOSITIONHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally


2. Recording


3. Purpose

Explaintothechildthatthepurposeofthedispositionhearingisforthecourttoconsiderreports,recommendations,andotherrelevantandmaterialevidencetodeterminethedispositionofthecase.Allpartiespresenthavetherighttobeheard.Forpurposesofdisposition,thisincludesparents,guardians,legalcustodians,child’scounsel,stateattorney,DJJrepresentatives,thevictimorvictim’srepresentative,representativesoftheschoolsystem,andlawenforcementofficersinvolvedinthecase.I.H.v.State,584So.2d230(Fla.5thDCA1991).Thedispositionhearingisakintothesentencinghearingincriminallaw,andfollowseitheracourtfindingthatthejuvenilecommittedadelinquentactorapleaofguiltyornolocontenderewasentered.Thecourthasawiderangeofdispositionoptionsrangingfromajudicialwarning,probationonly,commitmenttoalicensedchildcaringagency,orcommitmenttoDJJ.



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5. NoticeAssessment

Iftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearchfollowingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.

Thenonattendancebyaparentorguardianmayrequirethecontinuanceofthedispositionhearing.Ifthecourtordersthechildtopaymonetaryrestitution,itisdonethroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Additionally,thestatemayseekrestitutionorcommunityservicebythechild’sparents;aseparatepetitioncalleda“PetitionforParentalSanctions”mustbefiledwiththecourt,andtheparentsorguardiansmustbeserved.Rules8.030and8.031.Ifeitherofthesesituationshasoccurred,alackofserviceorafailuretoappearmaybegroundsforacontinuanceofthehearing,ifapartycanshowgoodcauseforthecontinuance.Rule8.100(e).



B. Adviseofrights

1. RighttoCounselDeterminewhetherthechildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifthechildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigencystatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtmustmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Aperson

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seekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthat,ifindigent,heorshehastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthechildappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).






C. Reviewpredispositionreport

1. ConsiderDispositionReport

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Thecourtmustconsiderthepredispositionreport.ThepredispositionispreparedbythejuvenileprobationofficerandcontainsDJJ’srecommendationsfordisposition,and,ifprepared,mustbesubmittedtothecourtnolessthan48hourspriortothedispositionhearing.§985.43(3).Apredispositionreportisrequiredwhenresidentialcommitmentisanticipated.§985.43(1)(a).Thechild,thechild’sattorney,thechild’sparentorcustodian,andthestateattorneyareentitledtodisclosureofallinformationcontainedinthepredispositionreportandallreportsandevaluationsusedinthepreparation.Rule8.115(c).However,thepredispositionreportcannotbereviewedbythecourtwithouttheconsentofthechilduntilthechildhasbeenfoundtohavecommittedadelinquentact.§985.43(3).Thepredispositionreportmaybereliedupontotheextentofitsprobativevalue,eventhoughnotcompetentinanadjudicatoryhearing.Rule8.115(a).

2. ConsiderOtherRecords

Inadditiontothepredispositionreport,thecourtmustconsidertheunderlyingcomprehensiveassessmentandrecordsofearlierjudicialproceedingspursuantto§985.43(2).Thecourtmayalsoconsideranyrelevantandmaterialevidencethatmaybehelpfultodeterminingtheproperdisposition.Evidencemaybereliedupontotheextentofitsprobativevalueevenifthisevidencewouldnotbecompetentatanadjudicatoryhearing.Rule8.115(a).

3. BeforeDeterminingDisposition

Beforedeterminingdisposition,thecourtmust:• Stateclearly,usingcommonterminology,thepurposesofthehearingand

therightofthosepresenttocommentatappropriatetimes;• Discusswiththechildhisorhercompliancewithanyplanimposedsincethe

dateoftheoffense;• Discusswiththechildhisorherfeelingsabouttheoffensecommitted,the

harmdone,andwhatpenaltyheorsheshouldfacefortheoffense;and• Giveallpartiesanopportunitytocommentontheissueofdispositionand

anyproposedrehabilitativeactions.§985.433(4)(a)-(d).4. DetermineDisposition

Oncethecourthasconsideredthepredispositionreportandalltheevidence,determinedisposition.§985.433(7).Thecourtmustdeterminewhatprogrambestmeetstheneedsofthechildandthepublicsafety.§985.433(9).Thecourthastheoptiontoadjudicatethechilddelinquentortowithholdadjudication.Thecourtcanwithholdadjudicationifthecourt,initsdiscretion,entersanorderwithholdingadjudicationandstatesthefactsuponwhichthefindingisbased.§985.35(4).Under§985.35(4),thecourtmaywithholdadjudicationandplace

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thechildinaprobationprogram,andmayimposeotherpenaltycomponentsasaconditionoftheprogram.

Thecourtmaynotcommitajuveniletoalifesentencewithoutparoleiftheoffenderdidnotcommithomicide.Grahamv.Florida,2010WL1946731(U.S.2010).

D. Commitmentdetermination

1. SuitabilityofAdjudicationDeterminationThefirstdeterminationthecourtmustmakeisadeterminationofsuitabilityforadjudication.§985.433(6).Thedeterminationshallincludeaconsiderationoftheinformationpresentedbyallparties,includingbutnotlimitedtothepredispositionreport,thenatureandcircumstancesofthedelinquentact,andthechild’seducationalstatus.

2. DetermineCommitment

Ifthecourtadjudicatesthechilddelinquent,thecourtmustthendecidewhethercommitmentisappropriatebaseduponthecriteriain§985.433(6).

DJJwillrecommendtothecourtaplacementlevelandindividualizedtreatmentplanforthechild,whichthecourtmustconsiderbeforedecidingthecommitmentofthechild.§985.433(6).ThecourtmaycommitthechildtothelevelrecommendedbyDJJoritcanrejecttherecommendation.§985.433(7)(b).Thecourtcandeviatefromtherecommendation;ifitdoesso,itmustfollow§985.433(7)(b)andtheFloridaSupremeCourt’srulinginE.A.R.v.State,4So.3d614(Fla.2009).ThecourtmaynotdirectDJJtoplaceachildataspecificfacility.Dept.ofJuvenileJusticev.K.B.,784So.2d556(Fla.1stDCA2001).Thecourtcanonlyorderthecommitmentlevel.

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InE.A.R.v.State,4So.3d614(Fla.2009),thecourtheldthat,iflowercourtswantedtodivergefromtherecommendationsofDJJ,thejuvenilecourtmust:“articulateanunderstandingoftherespectivecharacteristicsoftheopposingrestrictivenesslevels,including,butnotlimitedto,thetypeofchildthateachrestrictivenesslevelisdesignedtoserve,thepotential“lengthsofstay”associatedwitheachlevel,andthedivergenttreatmentprogramsandservicesavailabletothejuvenileattheselevels;andlogicallyandpersuasivelyexplainwhy,inlightofthesedifferingcharacteristics,onelevelisbettersuitedtoservingboththerehabilitativeneedsofthejuvenile,intheleastrestrictivesetting,andmaintainingtheabilityoftheStatetoprotectthepublicfromfurtheractsofdelinquency.”SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonmorerestrictiveplacements.

3. PeriodofCommitment

Theperiodofcommitmentisindeterminate,butcannotexceedthemaximumadultsentenceforthesameoffense.§985.455(3).ThisallowsDJJtoretainthechildinanappropriatecommitmentplacementuntilrehabilitationisachieved.Howeverforsomeoffenderssuchassexoffenderorjuvenileprisoncommitment,jurisdictionisuntil21yearsofage.§985.0301(5).Jurisdictioncanbeextendeduntil22yearsofageforhigh-riskandmaximum-riskoffenderstoallowthechildtoparticipateinajuvenileconditionalreleaseprogram.§985.0301(5)(d).DJJcommitmentshavevaryinglevelsofrestrictiveness.Restrictivenesslevelmeansthelevelofprogrammingandsecurityprovidedbyprogramsthatservicethesupervision,custody,care,andtreatmentneedsofcommittedchildren.Sections985.601(10)and985.721applytochildrenplacedinprogramsatanyresidentialcommitmentlevel.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoncommitmenttoDJJ.

4. Probation

Thecourtmayincludeaprobationprogramforachildadjudicateddelinquent.§985.435.Juvenileprobationisanindividualizedprogramthatincludesbothapenaltyandarehabilitativecomponent.§985.435(2)&(3).Theprobationmustincludetreatmentdesignedtoachieverehabilitationsuchassubstanceabusetreatment,requiredschoolattendance,educationalorworkprograms,counseling,andcommunitybasedprogramsforyouths.§985.435(3).Aprobationprogrammayalsoincludeanalternativeconsequencecomponenttoaddressinstancesinwhichachildisnoncompliantwithtechnicalconditionsofhisorherprobationbuthasnotcommittedanynewviolationsoflaw.§985.435(4).Amandatory$50.00victim’scrimecompensationtrustfundfee

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mustbeimposedregardlessofwhetheradjudicationiswithheld.§938.03(1).Thecourtmayimposeanyspecialconditionofprobationaslongasitbearsarelationshiptothecrime,relatestoconductwhichisinitselfcriminal,orrequiresorforbidsconductwhichisreasonablyrelatedtofuturecriminality.Billerv.State,618So.2d734(Fla.1993).Thecourtmayimposeelectronicmonitoringasaconditionofjuvenileprobation.T.S.v.State,682So.2d1202(Fla.4thDCA1996).Anorderofprobationisindeterminatebutcannotextendbeyondthechild’s19thbirthday.§985.0301(5)(b).Thedurationcannotexceedthetimethatcouldbeimposedforwhichanadultsentencecouldbeimposed,exceptthatformisdemeanorsoftheseconddegree,probationmaybeimposedforupto6months.§985.455(3).

Thecourtmayalsoorderthechildbeplacedonpost-commitmentprobationatanytimebeforerelease.§985.433(7)(c).Thecourtmaysuspendimpositionofthecommitmentandplacethechildonjuvenileprobationwithin60daysfromthedateofdisposition.§985.455(4).

5. Restitution

Thecourtmayorderachildadjudicateddelinquent(orwhereadjudicationhasbeenwithheld)tomakerestitutionorordertheparentorguardiantomakerestitution.§985.437.Thecourtmayorderthechildtomakerestitutioninmoneythroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorinkindfordamagesorlosscausedbytheoffense.§985.437(2).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonrestitution.

6. ConditionalReleaseServices

Thecourtmayorderconditionalreleaseservicestopromoterehabilitation.§985.46.Theseservicescancontributetoasuccessfultransitionofadelinquentchildfromcommitmentbackintothechild’scommunity,andthusshouldbeincludedinthecontinuumofcare.§985.46(1).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonconditionalrelease.

7. OffensesInvolvingFirearms

IfthechildisadjudicatedforanoffenseinvolvingtheuseorpossessionofafirearmandisnotcommittedtoDJJ,thecourtmustorder,inadditiontoanyotherpenalty,atleast15daysinsecuredetention,100hourscommunityservice,andplacementonprobationorinanonresidentialcommunityprogramforafirstoffense.§790.22(9).Thecourtmustorderatleast21dayssecuredetentionand100-200hoursofcommunityserviceandplacementinprobationorinanonresidentialcommunityprogramforasecondorsubsequentoffense.§790.22(9).Inaddition,thechild’sdriver’slicensemustberevokedorwithheldforuptooneyearforafirstoffenseandupto2yearsforasecondorsubsequentoffense.§790.22(10).Thechilddoesnotgetcreditfortimealready

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servedinsecuredetention.§790.22(9).8. OffensesInvolvingAlcohol

Childrenwhoviolatethealcoholstatuteprohibitingpersonslessthan21yearsofagefromdrinkingalcoholarerequiredtohavetheirdriver’slicenserevokedorwithhelduntiltheyturn18yearsofageforthefirstoffenseanduntiltheyturn21yearsofageforasecondorsubsequentoffense.§318.143(4).

E. Detentionpendingcommitment

Childrencommittedtoaresidentialprogrammustbeplacedintosomeformofdetentioncarependingplacementintotheresidentialprogram,§985.27(1),andmustmeetdetentioncriteriaoutlinedin§985.255.Achildawaitingplacementinalowtomoderateriskresidentialprogrammaybeplacedinsecuredetentionforupto5days.§985.27(1)(a).Ifamoderate–riskresidentialprogramisbeingimposed,DJJmayrequestanextensionofupto15workingdaysforplacement.§985.27(1)(b).Achildawaitingplacementinalowtomoderateresidentialplacementmaybeplacedinnonsecuredetentionwithelectronicmonitoring.§985.27(1).Whenachildisplacedindetentioncare,thecourtmustordertheparentstopay$5.00/daytooffsetthecostofthechild’scare,§985.039(1)(b),unlessthecourtordersthatareductionincostorwaiverofcostisappropriate,supportedbyappropriatefindings.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformation.

F. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdisposition

1. Thecourtordermustbeinwritingandmustsetforththefactsuponwhichthefindingthatthechildcommittedadelinquentactisbased.Rule8.055.TheFloridaSupremeCourthasanapprovedformavailableforuse,Form8.947.• Nameandaddress.Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,

designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.Rule8.115(d)(1).

• Dateandtime.Specifythedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountyandcourtwhereissued.Rule8.115(d)(5).

• WaiverofCounsel.Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.

• Detentiondirections.Directthedetentionofthechildandstatethereasonssupportingsuchor,ifappropriate,orderthereleaseofthechildandreturntohisorhernonresidentialcommitmentprogram.

• Findingsoffact.Makeallfindingsoffactrequiredbylaw.Rule8.115(d)(4).• Specifyoffenses.Ifthepetitionallegesmorethanoneoffense,oranoffense

dividedintodegrees,thecourtmustspecifyofwhichoffenseoroffensesthechildhasbeenadjudicateddelinquent.Rule8.110(i).

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• Disposition.Statethedispositionofeachcountspecifyingthechargetitle,thedegreeofoffense,andthemaximumpenaltydefinedbystatute.Rule8.115(d)(2)&(d)(3).

• Specialdisposition.Orderprobation,restitution,communityservice,curfew,and/orapologiesasappropriate.Ordernocontactwithvictims,ifappropriate.Rule8.115(d)(3).

• Determinationofgangmembership.Includeanydeterminationthatthechildwasamemberofastreetgang.§985.433(7).Suchadeterminationmustbegiven“greatweight”inidentifyingtheappropriatelevelofrestrictiveness.§985.433(7)(a).

• Releaseinstructions.Exceptasprovidedin§§790.22(8)or985.27,whenachildisplacedintosecureornonsecuredetentioncare,orintoarespitehomeorotherplacementpursuanttoacourtorderfollowingahearing,thecourtordermustincludespecificinstructionsthatdirectthereleaseofthechildfromsuchplacementnolaterthan5:00p.m.onthelastdayofthedetentionperiodspecifiedin§§985.26or985.27,whicheverisapplicable,unlesstherequirementsoftheapplicableprovisionhavebeenmetoranorderofcontinuancehasbeengrantedunder§985.26(4).

• Findingofcost.Thecourtmustmakeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare,ormakeafindingastoanyreductionorwaiverofcost,includingthereinthereasonsforsuchafinding.§985.039.Whenachildisplacedintononsecuredetention,probation,orothersupervisedstatuswithDJJ,orwhenachildiscommittedtoaminimum-risknon-residentialrestrictivenesslevel,ordertheparentorguardiantopayonedollar($1.00)perdaytoDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(a).IfachildisplacedinsecuredetentionorplacedoncommittedstatusandDJJacquirestemporarylegalcustodyofsaidchild,ordertheparentorguardiantopayfivedollars($5.00)perdaytoDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(b).IfthecourtfailstoincludeintheDetentionOrderinformationregardingcostofsupervisionandcare,theparentisdeemedtohaveanobligationtopayDJJonedollar($1.00)perdayforeachdaythechildisunderthesupervisionofDJJandfivedollars($5.00)perdayforeachdaythechildremainsinthecareofDJJ.§985.039(5).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoncosts.

Thechild’sfingerprintsmustbeaffixedtotheorderofdisposition.Rule8.115(e).

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OtherHearings

154

VIOLATIONOFPROBATIONHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;790.22;985.033;985.035;985.039;985.245;985.255;985.26;985.27;985.433;985.435;985.439RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560

RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.100;8.110;8.115;8.120;8.165;8.929;8.947RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARINGThepurposeoftheviolationofprobationhearingistodeterminewhetherthechildviolatedthetermsandconditionsofhisorherprobationorconditionalrelease.

TIMEFRAMEProbablecausehearingwithin24hoursafterthechildistakenintocustody.§985.439(2).ViolationofProbationhearingmustbewithinthetimelimitssetoutin§985.255.

BURDENOFPROOFThepetitionermustprovetheallegationsoftheviolationofprobationpetitionfiledbytheJPO.Theburdenofproofisbyapreponderanceoftheevidence.

RULESOFEVIDENCEThecourtisnotrequiredtofollowthestrictrulesofevidenceandmayconsideraffidavitsandotherdocumentsasarerelevant,eventhoughthatevidencemaynotbeadmissibleinacriminaltrial.

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


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VIOLATIONOFPROBATIONHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepurposeoftheviolationofprobationhearingisto

determinewhetherthechildhasviolatedthetermsandconditionsofhisorherprobationorconditionalrelease.

Ø Placethechildandanywitnessesunderoath.Ø Haveallthepartiesidentifythemselvesfortherecordwithfullnameand


Ø Determinewhethertheparents/legalguardiansarepresentorabsent.Ø Ifparents/legalguardiansareabsent,requestthatDJJgiveathorough

descriptionofthestepstakentolocatetheparentsandprovidethemnoticeofthedetentionhearing.


B. Adviseofrights






C. Violationofprobationdetermination

Ø Thecourtmustconsiderthepredispositionreportifonewasprepared.Ø Inadditiontothepredispositionreport,thecourtmustconsidertheunderlying

comprehensiveassessmentandrecordsofearlierjudicialproceedings.Ø Thecourtcanrequireadditionalassessmentsofthechild.Ø Thecourtcanwithholdadjudicationifthecourtfindsthatnoactionotherthan

supervisioninthechild’shomeisrequired.

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Ø Ifthecourtfindsthechildviolatedprobation,thecourtshallenteranorderrevoking,modifying,orcontinuingprobationorpost-commitmentprobation.985.439(4).

D. Dispositiondetermination

Ø Statethefactualbasisforthedetermination.Tellthechildthereasonsforthedeterminationclearlyusinglanguagethechildcanunderstand.Verifythatthechildunderstandswhatthedeterminationmeans,whatwillbeexpectedofhimorher,andtheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequired.

Ø Childrencommittedtoaresidentialprogrammustbeplacedintosomeformofdetentioncarependingplacementintotheresidentialprogram.

E. Requirementsforwrittenorderofdisposition


Ø Statethedispositionofeachcountspecifyingthecharge,thedegreeofoffense,andthemaximumpenaltydefinedbystatute.

Ø Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.

Ø Stategeneralandspecificconditionsorsanctions.Ø Makefindingsastothedispositionofthechild.Includethefactsunderlyingany

finding.Ø Statethedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountryandcourtwhereissued.Ø Besignedbythecourtwiththetitleofoffice.Ø Thechild’sfingerprintsmustbeaffixedtotheorderofdisposition.Ø Statetheperiodofthedisposition.Ø Statewhetherthecourtretainsjurisdictionoverdischarge.

158

VIOLATIONOFPROBATIONHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally


2. Recording


3. Purpose

Aviolationofprobationhearingdetermineswhetherthechildhasviolatedthetermsandconditionsofhisorherprobationorconditionalrelease.Whenachildisallegedtohaveviolatedprobation,itisnecessarytodeterminewhetherthechildshouldbeheldindetentionpendingtheviolationhearing.Section985.255(1)(h)authorizesdetentionifachildisallegedtohaveviolatedtheconditionsofprobation.However,theformofdetentionthatmaybeimposedislimitedtoaconsequenceunit–asecurefacilitydesignatedbyDJJforthepurposesofdetainingchildrentakenintocustodyforviolatingtheirprobation.§985.439(2).Ifthechildhasnotallegedlycommittedanewdelinquentactaspartoftheviolationofprobationandifaconsequenceunitisnotavailable,thenthechildmustbedetainedintohomedetentionwithelectronicmonitoring.InR.A.P.v.CharlesParkins,SuperintendentoftheAlachuaRegionalJuvenileDetentionCenterandtheStateofFlorida,994So.2d414(Fla.1stDCA2008),theFirstDistrictCourtofAppealheldthatwhereneitheraconsequenceunitnorelectronicmonitoringforhomedetentionisavailablewithinthetrialcourt'sgeographicjurisdiction,onlyalessrestrictiveformofdetention,suchashomedetention,ispermissible.Ifanewcrimeisallegedastheviolationofprobation,detentionisgovernedby§985.245(4).AnRAIthatincludestheunderlying

159

offenseandthenewoffense(s)isscored.BaseduponthenewRAI,thechildmaybesubjecttomorerestrictivedetention.

4. IdentifyThosePresentIdentifythosepresentandtheirrelationshiptothecase.Thepartiesshouldidentifythemselvesfortherecord.Delinquencyhearingsareopentothepublicunlessthecourtthecourtfindsthatitisinthechild’sbestinteresttorestrictthoseinattendance.§985.035.

5. NoticeAssessmentIftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Parentsorguardiansshouldbenotifiedofthehearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearchfollowingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.Thenonattendancebyaparentorguardianmayrequirethecontinuanceoftheviolationofprobationhearing.Ifthecourtordersthechildtopaymonetaryrestitution,itisdonethroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Additionally,thestatemayseekrestitutionorcommunityservicebythechild’sparents;aseparatepetitioncalleda“PetitionforParentalSanctions”mustbefiledwiththecourt,andtheparentsorguardiansmustbeserved.Rules8.030and8.031.Ifeitherofthesesituationshasoccurred,alackofserviceorafailuretoappearmaybegroundsforacontinuanceofthehearing,ifapartycanshowgoodcauseforthecontinuance.Rule8.100(e).

6. PlacetheChildandAnyWitnessesUnderOath

Thecourtshouldplacethechildandanywitnessesunderoath.Rule8.120(a)(5).Priortotheexaminationofanywitnesses,thecourtmayinvoketheruletohavethewitnessessequesteredtopreventcommunicationbetweenthewitnesses.Rule8.100(d).



B. AdviseofRights

1. RighttoCounsel

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Determinewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifchildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtshallmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthatifindigent,thechildhastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowingly,intelligentandvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freelyandintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freelyandintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).

161

2. RighttoCommunicateUnlikethedetentionhearing,thechildhasnoexplicitrighttocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardian.However,somecourtshaveattemptedtomaintainflexibilitywithregardtothehearingwhenachilddesiresthepresenceofanabsentparentorwishestocommunicatewithanabsentparent.Thesepracticesarenotcodifiedinstatuteorrule;assuch,theyaresimplypromisingpracticesthecourtmayengageinwhenachilddesirestocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardianatahearingwherethereisnoexplicitrighttocommunicate.Promisingpracticesthatallowthechildanopportunitytocommunicatewithanabsentparentinclude:• Providingatelephonetofacilitatecommunicationifaparentisavailable




C. Violationofprobationdetermination

1. Thecourtshallaskthechildtoenteraplea.

2. IftheChildAdmitsIfthechildadmitstotheviolation,thecourtshallenteranorderrevoking,modifying,orcontinuingprobationorpostcommitmentprobation.§985.439(4).

3. IftheChildDeniesIfthechilddeniestheallegedviolation,thecourtshall,atthechild’srequest,appointcounseltorepresentthechild.§985.439(3).Thecourtshallsubsequentlyholdahearingtodeterminewhetherthechildviolatedprobation.Thehearingmayimmediatelyfollowtheprobablecausehearingormaybeheldatafuturedate.Ifthehearingisheldatafuturedateandthechildisincustodypendingthehearing,thedetentionmustcomportwiththecriteriasetoutin§§985.255and985.26.

4. RulesofEvidence

Attheviolationofprobationhearing,thecourtisnotrequiredtofollowthestrictrulesofevidenceandmayconsidersuchaffidavitsandotherdocumentsasarerelevant,eventhoughsuchevidencemaynotbeadmissibleinacriminaltrial.Wheelerv.State,344So.2d630(Fla.2dDCA1977).

162

5. BurdenofProofTheprosecutionmustprovebyapreponderanceoftheevidencethatthechildviolatedhisorherprobation.VanWagnerv.State,677So.2d314(Fla.1stDCA1996).

6. PossibleCourtActionsIfthecourtfindsthechildviolatedprobation,thecourtshallenteranorderrevoking,modifying,orcontinuingprobationorpostcommitmentprobation.Ineachsuchcase,thecourtshallenteranewdispositionorderand,inadditiontothesanctionsthecourtcouldhaveimposedattheoriginaldispositionhearing,thecourtmayimposeothersanctionsassetoutin§985.439(4).

D. Dispositiondetermination

Ajuvenileisnotentitledtocreditonprobationfortimespentindetention.However,onceaviolationofprobationisfiled,thechildisentitledtocreditfortimeservedbeforethefilingofthepetition.Davisv.State,667So.2d885(Fla.1stDCA1996).Additionally,uponrevocationofprobation,thetimeachildhasalreadyservedonprobationforagivenoffensemustbecreditedtowardanynewtermofprobationimposedforthatoffense,whennecessarytoensurethatthetotaltermofprobationdoesnotexceedthestatutorymaximumforthatoffense.Statev.Summers,642So.2d742(Fla.1994).

E. Requirementsforwrittenorder

1. Ifthecourtfindsthatthechildhasviolatedtheconditionsofprobationorpost-commitmentprobation,thecourtshallenteranewdispositionorder,andmayimposefurthersanctionsasnotedabove.ThenewdispositionordercanbefoundintheSupremeCourtapprovedforms,Form8.947.• Nameandaddress.Statethenameandaddressofthechildorifunknown,

designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.Rule8.115(d)(1).

• Ageandgender.Statetheageandsexofthechild.Iftheageisunknown,statethatthechildisbelievedtobeofanagethatmakeshimsubjecttothejuvenileproceedings.Rule8.115(d)(1).

• Dateandtime.Specifythedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountyandcourtwhereissued.Rule8.115(d)(5).

• WaiverofCounsel.Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,voluntary,andintelligent.

• Findingoffact.Makeallfindingsoffactrequiredbylaw.Rule8.115(d)(4).• Detentiondirections.Directthedetentionofthechildandstatethereasons

thereforor,ifappropriate,orderthereleaseofthechildandreturntotheirnonresidentialcommitmentprogram.Rule8.115(d)(3).

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• Specifyoffenses.Ifthepetitionallegesmorethanoneoffense,oranoffensedividedintodegrees,thecourtshallspecifywhichoffenseoroffensesofwhichthechildhasbeenadjudicateddelinquent.Rule8.110(i).

• Disposition.Statethedispositionofeachcountspecifyingthechargetitle,thedegreeofoffense,andthemaximumpenaltydefinedbystatute.Rule8.115(d)(2)&(d)(3).

• Specialdisposition.Orderprobation,restitution,communityservice,curfew,and/orapologiesasappropriate.Ordernocontactwithvictims,ifappropriate.Rule8.115(d)(3).

• Determinationofgangmembership.Includeanydeterminationthatthechildwasamemberofastreetgang.§985.433(7).

• Releaseinstructions.Exceptasprovidedin§§790.22(8)or985.27,whenachildisplacedintosecureornonsecuredetentioncare,orintoarespitehomeorotherplacementpursuanttoacourtorderfollowingahearing,thecourtordermustincludespecificinstructionsthatdirectthereleaseofthechildfromsuchplacementnolaterthan5p.m.onthelastdayofthedetentionperiodspecifiedin§§985.26or985.27,whicheverisapplicable,unlesstherequirementsofsuchapplicableprovisionhavebeenmetoranorderofcontinuancehasbeengrantedunderFla.Stat.§985.26(4).

• Findingofcost.Thecourtmustmakeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare,ormakeafindingastoanyreductionorwaiverofcost,includingthereinthereasonsforsuchafinding.§985.039.Whenachildisplacedintononsecuredetention,probation,orothersupervisedstatuswiththeDJJ,orwhenachildiscommittedtoaminimum-risknon-residentialrestrictivenesslevel,ordertheparentorguardiantopayonedollar($1.00)perdaytotheDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(a).IfachildisplacedinsecuredetentionorplacedoncommittedstatusandtheDJJacquirestemporarylegalcustodyofsaidchild,ordertheparentorguardiantopayfivedollars($5.00)perdaytotheDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(b).IfthecourtfailstoincludeintheDetentionOrderinformationregardingcostofsupervisionandcare,theparentisdeemedtohaveanobligationtopayDJJonedollar($1.00)perdayforeachdaythechildisunderthesupervisionofDJJandfivedollars($5.00)perdayforeachdaythechildremainsinthecareofDJJ.§985.039(5).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoncosts.

Inadditiontotheaboverequirements,thecourtmay:• Placethechildinaconsequenceunitinthatjudicialcircuit,ifavailable,forup

to5daysforafirstviolationandupto15daysforasecondorsubsequentviolation;

• Placethechildonhomedetentionwithelectronicmonitoring.However,thissanctionmaybeusedonlyifaresidentialconsequenceunitisnotavailable;

• Placethechildinanalternativeconsequenceprogramdesignedtoprovide

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swiftandappropriateconsequencestoanyfurtherviolationsofprobation,ifchildisnoncompliantwithtechnicalconditionsofhisorherprobationbuthasnotcommittedanynewviolationsoflaw;

• Modifyorcontinuethechild'sprobationprogramorpostcommitmentprobationprogram;or

• Revokeprobationorpostcommitmentprobationandcommitthechildtothedepartment.§985.439(4)(a)-(e).

Thecourtmayalsoorderthechildtosubmittorandomtestingforthepurposesofdetectingandmonitoringtheuseofalcoholorcontrolledsubstances.§985.439(5).Thechild’sfingerprintsshallbeaffixedtotheorderofdisposition.Rule8.115(e).

166

CONTEMPTOFCOURTHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;790.22;985.033;985.035;985.037;985.039;985.26;985.27RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560

RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.100;8.150;8.165;8.929RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARINGThepurposeofthecontemptofcourthearingistodeterminewhetherthechildhasviolatedthetermsandconditionsofacourtorder.

TIMEFRAME Thecontempthearingmustbeheldwithin24hoursofthechildbeingchargedwithindirectcontempt.

BURDENOFPROOF Presumedinnocentuntilprovenguiltybeyondareasonabledoubt.

RULESOFEVIDENCE Rulesofevidenceusedincriminalcases.

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


168

CONTEMPTOFCOURTHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepurposeoftheindirectcriminalcontemptofcourt

hearingistodeterminewhetherthechildhascommittedindirectcriminalcontemptofavalidcourtorder.






B. Adviseofrights





canbeusedagainsthimorher.Ø Advisethechildofhisorherdueprocessrights.

C. Indirectcontempthearingprocedure

Ø IssueandsignanOrdertoShowCauseandspecifythetimeanddateofthecontempthearing.

Ø Ifthecourthasreasontobelievethatthechildwillnotappear,thecourtcanissueanorderofarrest.

Ø Arraignthechild.Askhimorhertoenterapleaofguilty,notguiltyornolo

169

contendere.Explainwhateachpleasignifies,andinformthechildheorshehastherighttorefrainfromenteringanyplea,inwhichcasethecourtwillenterapleaofnotguilty.Verifythechildunderstandstheimplicationsofthepleas.

Ø Conductthehearing,followingtherulesofevidenceusedincriminalcases.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepetitionermustprovethechargeofdelinquency

beyondareasonabledoubt-thatthechargemustbeproventotheextentthatthereisno"reasonabledoubt"inthemindofareasonablepersonthatthedefendantisguilty.

Ø Attheconclusionofthecase,signandenterajudgmentofguiltyornotguilty.Ø Pronouncethesentenceinopencourt.Explaintothechildthereasonsforthe

orderinclear,simplelanguage.

D. Sanctions

Ø Followthesanctionguidetodeterminewhichsanctionsareappropriate.Ø Explaintothechildwhatthesanctionsmean,whatwillbeexpectedofhimorher,

andtheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequiredinclear,simplelanguage.

E. Requirementsforwrittenjudgmentofcontempt

Ø Statethenameandaddressofthechildorifunknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.


Ø Includearecitalofthefactsconstitutingthecontemptofwhichtheaccusedhasbeenfoundguilty.

Ø Statethesanctionsapplicableforthechild.Ø Makeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare.Ø Statethedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountryandcourtwhereissued.Ø Includeasignaturebythecourtwiththetitleofoffice.

170

CONTEMPTOFCOURTHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally

1. InterpreterDeterminationDeterminewhetheraninterpreterisneededtofacilitatecommunicationsinthehearingprocess.Checkforpriornotificationofneedforservices.Ifaninterpreterhasalreadybeenselectedandisavailableattheproceeding,verifythattheinterpretercanreadilycommunicatewiththepersoninneedofservicesandcanrepeatandtranslatecommunicationeasily.§90.6063(6).Ifaninterpreterhasnotbeenpre-selected,workwithcourtadministrationtoprovideacertifiedordulyqualifiedinterpreter.Rule14.100(a)&(b),and90.6063(3)(b).Ifnoqualifiedinterpreterisavailable,thecourtmayappointaninterpreternotqualifiedorcertifiedifthecourtfindsthatgoodcauseexistsfortheappointmentofanon-qualifiedinterpreter,suchasburdensomedelayorotherunusualcircumstance,andtheproposedinterpreteriscompetenttointerpret.Rule2.560(e)(2).Verifythatthechildknowsthatheorsheisallowedtoobjecttotheproposedappointmentofaninterpreternotqualifiedorcertified.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoninterpreters.

2. DirectContemptofCourt

Acontemptofcourtmaybepunishedsummarilyifthecourtsaworheardtheconductconstitutingthecontemptcommittedintheactualpresenceofthecourt.Rule8.150(a).Ifthecourtwitnessesthecontemptuousconduct,thecourtmayissueajudgmentofcontempt,includingarecitalofthefactsuponwhichtheadjudicationofguiltisbased.Rule8.150(a).Priortoadjudication,thecourtshallinformthechildoftheaccusationandinquireastowhetherthechildcanshowcauseastowhyheorsheshouldbenotbeadjudicatedguilty,givingthechildtimetopresentevidenceofexcusingormitigatingcircumstances.Rule8.150(a).

3. Recording


4. Purpose

Anindirectcontemptofcourthearingdetermineswhetherthechildhasbreachedorviolatedavalidcourtorder.

5. IdentifyThosePresentIdentifythosepresentandtheirrelationshiptothecase.Thepartiesshouldidentifythemselvesfortherecord.Delinquencyhearingsareopentothepublic

171

unlessthecourtthecourtfindsthatitisinthechild’sbestinteresttorestrictthoseinattendance.§985.035.

6. NoticeAssessmentIftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Parentsorguardiansshouldbenotifiedofthehearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearchfollowingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.Thenonattendancebyaparentorguardianmayrequirethecontinuanceofthecontempthearing.Ifthecourtordersthechildtopaymonetaryrestitution,itisdonethroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Additionally,thestatemayseekrestitutionorcommunityservicebythechild’sparents;aseparatepetitioncalleda“PetitionforParentalSanctions”mustbefiledwiththecourt,andtheparentsorguardiansmustbeserved.Rules8.030and8.031.Ifeitherofthesesituationshasoccurred,alackofserviceorafailuretoappearmaybegroundsforacontinuanceofthehearing,ifapartycanshowgoodcauseforthecontinuance.Rule8.100(e).

7. PlacetheChildandAnyWitnessesUnderOathThecourtshouldplacethechildandanywitnessesunderoath.Rule8.150(b)(4).Priortotheexaminationofanywitnesses,anypartymayinvoketheruletohavethewitnessessequesteredtopreventcommunicationbetweenthewitnesses.Rule8.100(d).



B. AdviseofRights

1. RighttoCounselDeterminewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifchildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybe

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acceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtmustmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).

Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthat,ifindigent,heorshehastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowingly,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).



telephonically;

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• Delayingthehearingforalatertimeonthesamedaytoallowaparenttimetoattendthehearing,ifaparentcannotattendthehearingduetoanunchangeablescheduleobligationsuchaswork;or


3. DueProcessRights

Advisethechildofhisorherdueprocessrights.Thefollowingdueprocessrightsmustbeprovidedtothechild:• Therighttoacopyoftheordertoshowcauseallegingfactssupportingthe

contemptcharge.• Therighttoanexplanationofthenatureandtheconsequencesofthe

proceedings.• Therighttolegalcounselandtherighttohavelegalcounselappointedby

thecourtifthejuvenileisindigent,under§985.033.• Therighttoconfrontwitnesses.• Therighttopresentwitnesses.• Therighttohaveatranscriptorrecordoftheproceeding.• Therighttoappealtoanappropriatecourt.§985.037(4)(b)(1)-(7).

Thetranscriptorrecording,ifrequestedbyamotiontothecourt,ispaidforbythestate.

C. Indirectcontempthearingprocedure

1. IssueanOrdertoShowCauseThismaybedoneonthecourt’sownmotionoruponaffidavitofanypersonhavingknowledgeofthefacts.Rule8.150(b)(1).Theordershallspecifythetimeandplaceofthehearing,withreasonabletimeallowedforthepreparationofadefenseafterserviceoftheorderontheaccused,Rule8.150(b)(1),butthehearingmusttakeplacewithin24hoursofthechildbeingcharged.§985.037(4)(b).Thechildmaymovetodismisstheorder,moveforastatementofparticulars,oranswer.Rule8.150(b)(2).Allmotionsandanswersshallbeinwritingunlessotherwisespecifiedbythecourt.Rule8.150(b)(2).Anyfailuretoanswerorrespondshallnotbedeemedanadmissionofguilt.Rule8.150(b)(2).

2. IssueOrderofArrest

Ifthecourthasreasontobelievethatthechildwillnotappear,thecourtcanissueanorderofarrest.Thechildmustbeadmittedtobailinthemannerprovidedbylawincriminalcases.Rule8.150(b)(3).

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3. ArraignthechildThechildmaybearraignedatthecontempthearingorpriortothehearinguponrequest.Rule8.150(b)(4).

4. IftheChildPleadsGuilty

Ifthechildpleadsguilty,thecourtmustissueajudgmentofguiltyandsentencethechild.

5. IftheChildPleadsNotGuilty

Ifthechildpleadsnotguilty,thecourtwillconductahearing,followingtherulesofevidenceusedincriminalcases.Thecourtmayconductthehearingwithoutassistanceofcounsel,ormaybeassistedbystateattorneyoranotherattorneyappointedforthatpurpose.Rule8.150(b)(4).Thechildisentitledto:• Representationbycounsel;• Compulsoryprocessfortheattendanceofwitnesses;and• Theoptionoftestifyinginhisorherowndefense.Rule8.150(b)(4).

6. BurdenofProof

Theburdenofproofinindirectcontempthearingsisthesameasforcriminalcases;thestatemustprovethechild’sguiltbeyondareasonabledoubt.Forbesv.State,933So.2d706(Fla.4thDCA2006).

7. JudgmentandPronouncementofSentence

Attheconclusionofthecase,signandenterajudgmentofguiltyornotguilty.Includeinthejudgmentarecitalofthefactsconstitutingthecontemptofwhichtheaccusedhasbeenfoundguilty.Rule8.150(b)(6).Pronouncethesentenceinopencourt,inthepresenceofthechild.Rule8.150(b)(7).Priortothepronouncement,informthechildoftheaccusationandjudgmentagainsthimorherandinquireastowhetherthereisanycausetoshowwhythesentenceshouldnotbepronounced.Rule8.150(b)(7).Allowthechildanopportunitytopresentmitigatingcircumstances.Rule8.150(b)(7).

D. Sanctions

1. MandatorySanctionsUpondeterminingachildhascommittedindirectcontemptofcourt,thecourtmustorderthechildtoperform50hoursofcommunity-servicemanuallabororasimilaralternativesanction,unlessanalternativesanctionisunavailableorinappropriate,orunlessthechildhasfailedtocomplywithaprioralternativesanction.§985.037(3).Thecourtmayrequestthealternativesanctionscoordinatortorecommendthemostappropriateavailablealternativesanction.§985.037(3).

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2. IfnoAlternativeSanctionsIfalternativesanctionsareunavailableorinappropriate,orifthechildhasalreadybeenorderedtoserveanalternativesanctionbutfailedtocomplywiththesanction,thecourtmayorderthechildtobeplacedinasecurefacilityforpurposesofpunishmentforcontemptofcourt.§985.037(2).Thecourtisencouragedtoorderthechildtoperformcommunityservicewhereappropriatebeforeorderingthatthechildbeplacedinasecurefacilityaspunishmentforcontemptofcourt.§985.037(4)(c).Adelinquentchildwhohasbeenheldindirectorindirectcontemptmaybeplacedinasecuredetentionfacilitynottoexceed:• 5daysforafirstoffense;and• 15daysforasecondorsubsequentoffense.§985.037(2).

Thecourtshallreviewtheplacementofthechildonlyuponmotionbythedefenseattorneyorstateattorneytodeterminewhetheritisappropriateforthechildtoremaininthefacility.§985.037(4)(b).

3. DiscretionarySanctionInadditiontoanysanctionimposedunderthissection,thecourtmaydirecttheDepartmentofHighwaySafetyandMotorVehiclestowithholdissuanceof,orsuspend,achild’sdriver’slicenseordrivingprivilege.§985.037(4)(d).Thecourtmayorderthechild’sdriver’slicenseordrivingprivilegebewithheldorsuspendedforupto:• Oneyearforafirstoffense;and• 2yearsforasecondorsubsequentoffense.§985.037(4)(d).

Ifthechild’sdriver’slicenseordrivingprivilegeisbeingwithheldorsuspendedatthetimethesanctionforcontemptisimposed,theperiodofsuspensionorrevocationshallbeginonthedateonwhichthechildisotherwiseeligibletodrive.§985.037(4)(d).

E. Requirementsforawrittenjudgmentofcontempt

1. Attheconclusionofthehearing,thecourtshallenterandrecordajudgmentofguiltyornotguilty.Rule8.150(b)(6).Thejudgmentshallbeinwritingandincludethefollowing:• Nameandaddress.Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,


• Ageandgender.Statetheageandsexofthechild.Iftheageisunknown,statethatthechildisbelievedtobeofanagethatmakeshimorhersubjecttothejuvenileproceedings.

• Dateandtime.Statethedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountryandcourtwhereissued.

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• WaiverofCounsel.Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,voluntary,andintelligent.

• Recitationoffacts.Includearecitalofthefactsconstitutingthecontemptofwhichtheaccusedhasbeenfoundguilty.

• Applicablesanctions.Statethesanctionsapplicabletothechild.• Releaseinstructions.Exceptasprovidedin§§790.22(8)or985.27,whena

childisplacedintosecureornonsecuredetentioncare,orintoarespitehomeorotherplacementpursuanttoacourtorderfollowingahearing,thecourtordermustincludespecificinstructionsthatdirectthereleaseofthechildfromsuchplacementnolaterthan5:00p.m.onthelastdayofthedetentionperiodspecifiedin§§985.26or985.27,whicheverisapplicable,unlesstherequirementsofsuchapplicableprovisionhavebeenmetoranorderofcontinuancehasbeengrantedunder§985.26(4).

• Findingofcost.Thecourtmustmakeafindingregardingcostorsupervisionandcare,ormakeafindingastoanyreductionorwaiverofcost,includingthereinthereasonsforsuchafinding.§985.039.Whenachildisplacedintononsecuredetention,probation,orothersupervisedstatuswithDJJ,orwhenachildiscommittedtoaminimum-risknon-residentialrestrictivenesslevel,ordertheparentorguardiantopayonedollar($1.00)perdaytoDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(a).IfachildisplacedinsecuredetentionorplacedoncommittedstatusandDJJacquirestemporarylegalcustodyofsaidchild,ordertheparentorguardiantopayfivedollars($5.00)perdaytoDJJforeachdaythechildisinthatstatus.§985.039(1)(b).IfthecourtfailstoincludeintheDetentionOrderinformationregardingcostofsupervisionandcare,theparentisdeemedtohaveanobligationtopayDJJonedollar($1.00)perdayforeachdaythechildisunderthesupervisionofDJJandfivedollars($5.00)perdayforeachdaythechildremainsinthecareofDJJ.§985.039(5).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationoncosts.

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WAIVEROFJURISDICTIONHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;985.033;985.035;985.319;985.55;985.556;985.557;985.57RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.100;8.105;8.160;8.165;8.929RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtinterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARINGThepurposeofthewaiverofjurisdictionhearingistodeterminewhetherthechildshouldremainunderthejuvenilecourt’sjurisdictionorbetransferredtoanothercourt.

TIMEFRAME

Thehearingmustbeheldwithin7days(excludingSaturdays,Sundaysandlegalholidays)afterthedateofthepetitionallegingthatthechildhascommittedadelinquentactorviolationofthelawhasbeenfiled,orlaterwithapprovalfromthecourt.

RULESOFEVIDENCE Section985.556specifieswhatthecourtshallconsider.

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


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WAIVEROFJURISDICTIONHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepurposeofthewaiverofjurisdictionhearingisto

determinewhetherthechildshouldbetransferredtothejurisdictionofanothercourt.





B. Adviseofrights






C. Determinethetypeofwaiver

D. Issueasummons

E. Considerevidencepresented

Ø Priortothehearing,anauthorizedagentofthedepartmentshallprepareastudyandreportrelevanttotheissueofjurisdiction.

Ø Thechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansandcounselshallhavetherightto

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examinethesereportsandquestionthepartiesresponsibleforthem.Verifythatthechildunderstandshowheorshecanactonthisright.

F. Jurisdictiondetermination

Ø Explainthedeterminationtothechildinclear,simplelanguage.Verifythatthechildunderstandswhatwillhappennextandwhatwillbeexpectedofhimorherandtheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequired.

G. Requirementsforwrittenorderonwaiverofjurisdiction

Ø Statethenameandaddressofthechildorifunknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.


Ø Includespecificfindingsoffactwithrespecttoandinconsiderationofthecriteriain§985.556(c).

Ø Includethereasonstoimposeadultsanctions.Ø Statethedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountryandcourtwhereissued.Ø Signtheorderbythecourtwiththetitleofoffice.

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WAIVEROFJURISDICTIONHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally


2. Recording


3. Purpose

Awaiverofjurisdictionhearingdetermineswhetherthechildshouldbetransferredtothejurisdictionofanothercourt.Achildcanbetriedcriminallyasanadultifjuvenilejurisdictioniswaivedbythecircuitcourt;orthecaseistransferredtocriminalcourtbecauseofadirectfilingorindictment.Rule8.105;§§985.556&985.57.

4. IdentifythosepresentIdentifythosepresentandtheirrelationshiptothecase.Thepartiesshouldidentifythemselvesfortherecord.Delinquencyhearingsareopentothepublicunlessthecourtfindsthatitisinthechild’sbestinteresttorestrictthoseinattendance.§985.035.

5. NoticeAssessmentIftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Parentsorguardiansshouldbenotifiedofthehearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearchfollowingadetailedandthoroughlist

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ofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.



B. AdviseofRights

1. RighttoCounselDeterminewhetherthechildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifthechildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtshallmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthat,ifindigent,thechildhastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowingly,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,the

184

offerofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).






C. Determinethetypeofwaiver

1. VoluntaryWaiverAwaiverisvoluntaryifthechilddemandsinwritingtobetriedasanadult.Thecircuitcourtmusttransferandcertifythechild’scasefortrialasanadult.Thedemandmustbemadepriortothecommencementofanadjudicatoryhearingandmustbejoinedbyaparentor,intheabsenceofaparent,theguardianorguardianadlitem.§985.556(1).

2. DiscretionaryInvoluntaryWaiver

Awaiverisinvoluntaryanddiscretionaryifthechildwas14yearsoldatthetimeoftheallegedact.Thestateattorneyhasthediscretiontofileamotionrequestingthecourttowaivejurisdictionandtransferandcertifyachild’scasefortrialasanadult.§985.556(2).

3. MandatoryInvoluntaryWaiver

Awaiverisinvoluntaryandmandatoryifthechildwas14yearsoldatthetimeoftheallegedact,andif:

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• ifthechildhasbeenpreviouslyadjudicateddelinquentforanactclassifiedasafelony,whichadjudicationwasforthecommissionof,attempttocommit,orconspiracytocommitmurder,sexualbattery,armedorstrong-armedrobbery,carjacking,home-invasionrobbery,aggravatedbattery,aggravatedassault,orburglarywithanassaultorbattery,andthechildiscurrentlychargedwithasecondorsubsequentviolentcrimeagainstaperson;or

• Ifthechildwas14yearsofageorolderatthetimeofcommissionofafourthorsubsequentallegedfelonyoffenseandthechildwaspreviouslyadjudicateddelinquentorhadadjudicationwithheldfor,orwasfoundtohavecommitted,ortohaveattemptedorconspiredtocommit,threeoffensesthatarefelonyoffensesifcommittedbyanadult,andoneormoreofsuchfelonyoffensesinvolvedtheuseorpossessionofafirearmorviolenceagainstaperson.§985.556(3).

Thestateattorneymustrequestthecourttotransferthechildtoanadultcourtorshallprovidewrittenreasonstothecourtfornotmakingsucharequest,orproceedunder§985.557(1).

D. IssueaSummons

Thesummonsmustbeissuedandservedinconformitywith§985.319.Verifythatacopyofthemotionandacopyofthedelinquencypetition,ifnotalreadyserved,areattachedtoeachsummons.§985.556(4)(b).

E. Considertheevidencepresented

1. StudyandReportbyDJJ

Priortothehearing,astudyandreportmustbemadebyanauthorizedagentoftheDJJ.§985.556(4)(d).Thisreportandstudywillanalyzefactorsthatassistthecourtinmakingthedetermination,including:• Theseriousnessoftheallegedoffensetothecommunityandwhetherthe

protectionofthecommunityisbestservedbytransferringthechildforadultsanctions.

• Whethertheallegedoffensewascommittedinanaggressive,violent,premeditated,orwillfulmanner.

• Whethertheallegedoffensewasagainstpersonsoragainstproperty,greaterweightbeinggiventooffensesagainstpersons,especiallyifpersonalinjuryresulted.

• Theprobablecauseasfoundinthereport,affidavit,orcomplaint.• Thedesirabilityoftrialanddispositionoftheentireoffenseinonecourt

whenthechild'sassociatesintheallegedcrimeareadultsorchildrenwhoaretobetriedasadults.

• Thesophisticationandmaturityofthechild.

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• Therecordandprevioushistoryofthechild,including:o Previouscontactswiththedepartment,theDepartmentofCorrections,

theformerDepartmentofHealthandRehabilitativeServices,theDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices,otherlawenforcementagencies,andcourts;

o Priorperiodsofprobation;o Prioradjudicationsthatthechildcommittedadelinquentactorviolation

oflaw,greaterweightbeinggivenifthechildhaspreviouslybeenfoundbyacourttohavecommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflawinvolvinganoffenseclassifiedasafelonyorhastwicepreviouslybeenfoundtohavecommittedadelinquentactorviolationoflawinvolvinganoffenseclassifiedasamisdemeanor;and

o Priorcommitmentstoinstitutions.• Theprospectsforadequateprotectionofthepublicandthelikelihoodof

reasonablerehabilitationofthechild,ifthechildisfoundtohavecommittedtheallegedoffense,bytheuseofprocedures,services,andfacilitiescurrentlyavailabletothecourt.§985.556(4)(c)(1)-(8).

2. Child’sRighttoExamine

Thechildandthechild'sparentsorlegalguardiansandcounselandthestateattorneyshallhavetherighttoexaminethesereportsandtoquestionthepartiesresponsibleforthematthehearing.§985.556(4)(d).

3. AdditionalMaterialsAvailable

Thecourtshallconsiderthestudyandreport,aswellasotherevidenceandtestimonyoffered,whenmakingitsdetermination.

F. Jurisdictiondetermination

1. OrderWaivingJurisdictionThecourtmayenteranorderwaivingjurisdictionandcertifyingthecasefortrialasifthechildwereanadult.Rule8.105(b)(5)(A).Theordermustsetforththebasisforthedecision.Rule8.105(b)(5)(A).Providecopiestoalltheparties,andprovideacertifiedcopytotheclerkofthecourthavingjurisdictiontotrythechildasanadultandtotheprosecutingofficerofsaidcourtwithin5daysofthedateoftheorder.Rule8.105(b)(5)(A).Thechildistobeimmediatelydeliveredtothesheriffofthecountyinwhichtheadultcourtislocated.Rule8.105(b)(5)(A).

2. OrderDenyingWaiverofJurisdiction

Thecourtmayenteranorderdenyingthewaiverofjurisdiction,andgivereasonsforthisdenial.Rule8.105(b)(5)(B).Ifthewaiverisdenied,thecourt,withtheconsentofthestateandthechild,mayproceedimmediatelywiththeadjudicatoryhearing.Rule8.105(b)(5)(B).

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G. Requirementsforawrittenorderonwaiverofjurisdiction

1. Nameandaddress.Statethenameandaddressofthechildorifunknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.

2. Ageandgender.Statetheageandsexofthechild.Iftheageisunknown,statethatthechildisbelievedtobeofanagethatmakeshimsubjecttothejuvenileproceedings.

3. Dateandtime.Statethedateandtimetheorderisissued,thecountyandcourtfromwhereissuedandthedateandtimethechildwastakenintocustody.

4. Waiverofcounsel.Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.

5. Recitationoffacts.Includespecificfindingsoffactwithrespecttoandinconsiderationofthecriteriain§985.556(c).

6. Rationale.Includethereasonstoimposeadultsanctions.

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RESTITUTIONHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;775.089;90.6063;985.0301;985.033;985.035RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.100;8.165,8.929RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARING

Thepurposeoftherestitutionhearingistosetrestitutionamountifnotdeterminedatdisposition,todeterminewhetherthechildorthechild’sparentsorguardiansarecurrentwithrestitutionpayments,ortoorderthepaymentstobeginifpayorfailedtomakepaymentsasordered.

BURDENOFPROOF Anydisputeastotheproperamountortypeofrestitutionshallberesolvedbythecourtbythepreponderanceoftheevidence.

RULESOFEVIDENCE Rulesofevidenceusedincivilcases.

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


191

RESTITUTIONHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepurposeoftherestitutionhearingistosetrestitution

amountifnotdeterminedatdisposition,todeterminewhetherthechildorthechild’sparentsorguardiansarecurrentwithrestitutionpayments,ortoorderthepaymentstobeginifpayorfailedtomakepaymentsasordered.






B. Adviseofrights

Ø Thechildhasarighttobepresentatanyrestitutionhearing.Ø Determinewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ø Ifthechildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel,and

determinewhethertherightisunderstood.Ø Ifinsolvent,advisethechildthatheorshehastherighttohavecounsel

appointed.Ø Ifthechilddoesnothavecounsel,appointcounselasnecessaryunlesswaivedin


Ø Ifthechildwaivescounsel,determineifthewaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.

C. Hearingprocedure

Ø Ifthechildadjudicateddelinquentandthestateattorneycouldnotagreetoarestitutionamountatdisposition,thehearingwillbetodeterminetheamountofrestitutiondueandpaymentprocess.

Ø Iftherestitutionamountissetandthechildadjudicateddelinquentischallenging

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theamount,thehearingwillbetoreviewtheamountofrestitutiondueandmodifyasnecessary.

Ø Iftherestitutionamountissetandthestateattorneyrequestedthehearingtoreviewcompliance,thehearingwillbetoverifycomplianceandenforcetheorderinthesamemannerasajudgmentinacivilaction.

D. Restitutiondetermination

Ø Explaintothechildwhatthedeterminationmeansandhowthecourtarrivedatthatdeterminationinclear,simplelanguage.

Ø Onanyfindingthatrestitutionisdue,verifythatthechildknowswhatisrequiredofhimorher,andtheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequired.

E. Requirementsforawrittenorderofrestitution


Ø Statethenameandaddressoftheparentorguardianor,ifunknown,designatetheparentorguardianbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifytheparentorguardianwithreasonablecertainty.

Ø Statethenameandaddressofthepayee.Ø Statethecasenumber.Ø Statethedate.Ø Statetheamountpaid.Ø Statetheamountdue.Ø Listanyotherfeesdue.

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RESTITUTIONHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally


2. Recording


3. Purpose

Thepurposeoftherestitutionhearingistosetrestitutionamountifnotdeterminedatdisposition,todeterminewhetherthechildorthechild’sparentsorguardiansarecurrentwithrestitutionpayments,ortoorderthepaymentstobeginifpayorfailedtomakepaymentsasordered.Itcanbeinitiatedattherequestofthepayororthestateattorney.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonrestitution.



5. NoticeAssessmentIftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Parentsorguardiansshouldbenotifiedofthehearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsor

194

guardiansmustperformadiligentsearchfollowingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.Thenonattendancebyaparentorguardianmayrequirethecontinuanceoftherestitutionhearing.Ifthecourtordersthechildtopaymonetaryrestitution,itisdonethroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Additionally,thestatemayseekrestitutionorcommunityservicebythechild’sparents;aseparatepetitioncalleda“PetitionforParentalSanctions”mustbefiledwiththecourt,andtheparentsorguardiansmustbeserved.Rules8.030and8.031.Ifeitherofthesesituationshasoccurred,alackofserviceorafailuretoappearmaybegroundsforacontinuanceofthehearing,ifapartycanshowgoodcauseforthecontinuance.Rule8.100(e).

6. PlacetheChildandAnyWitnessesUnderOath

Thecourtshouldplacethechildandanywitnessesunderoath.Priortotheexaminationofanywitnesses,anypartymayinvoketheruletohavethewitnessessequesteredtopreventcommunicationbetweenthewitnesses.Rule8.100(c).

7. OtherProceedingsDeterminationDeterminewhetherthechildisinvolvedinothercourtproceedings.Form8.929.IfthecourtisaUFC,considerconsolidatingthecasesorhearingthemtogether.

B. Adviseofrights

1. RighttobePresentThechildhasarighttobepresentatanyrestitutionhearing.T.L.v.State,967So.2d421(Fla.1stDCA2007).

2. RighttoCounsel

Determinewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifchildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).

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Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtmustmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthat,ifindigent,thechildhastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).

3. RighttoCommunicateUnlikethedetentionhearing,thechildhasnoexplicitrighttocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardian.However,somecourtshaveattemptedtomaintainflexibilitywithregardtothehearingwhenachilddesiresthepresenceofanabsentparentorwishestocommunicatewithanabsentparent.Thesepracticesarenotcodifiedinstatuteorrule;assuch,theyaresimplypromisingpracticesthecourtmayengageinwhenachilddesirestocommunicatewithanabsentparentorguardianatahearingwherethereisnoexplicitrighttocommunicate.Promisingpracticesthatallowthechildanopportunitytocommunicatewithanabsentparentinclude:• Providingatelephonetofacilitatecommunicationifaparentisavailable



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Continuingthehearingtoanotherdaytoallowtheparentanopportunitytoattendthehearing,ifaparentcannotattendthehearingduetoanunchangeablescheduleobligationsuchaswork.

C. HearingProcedure

Therestitutionreviewhearingcanberequestedbythestateattorneyorthechildadjudicateddelinquent.1. RulesofEvidence

Anydisputeastotheproperamountortypeofrestitutionshallusetherulesofevidenceusedincivilcases,andshallberesolvedbythecourtbythepreponderanceoftheevidence.§775.089(7).

2. WhenRestitutionAmountisinDispute

Ifthechildadjudicateddelinquentandthestateattorneycouldnotagreetoarestitutionamountatdisposition,thehearingwillbetodeterminetheamountofrestitutiondueandpaymentprocess.Theburdenofdemonstratingtheamountofthelosssustainedbyavictimasaresultoftheoffenseisonthestateattorney.§775.089(7).• Whensettingtheamountofrestitution,considerthefairmarketvalueof

theitemsthevictimaskedrestitutionfor,andoffsetanysalvagevalueiftheitemsarereturned.G.M.H.v.State,18So.3d728(Fla.2dDCA2009).Fairmarketvaluecanbedeterminedbylookingat:

o originalmarketcost;o mannerinwhichtheitemwasused;o thegeneralconditionandqualityoftheitem;ando thepercentageofdepreciation.K.W.v.State,983So.2d713(Fla.2d

DCA2008)• However,thatalthoughfairmarketvaluationisthecommonapproachto

determinerestitution,itisnottheonlypermissibleapproach.Courtmaybaserestitutionawardsonout-of-pocketcosts,offsettingtheawardbythesalvagevalueofanyitemsreturned.C.M.S.v.State,997So.2d520(Fla.2dDCA2008).

• Restitutionmaynotbeorderedforitemsnotreferencedinthechargingdocument.G.P.v.State,996So.2d920(Fla.4thDCA2008).

3. WhereChildisChallengingRestitutionAmount

Iftherestitutionamountissetandthechildadjudicateddelinquentischallengingtheamount,thehearingwillbetoreviewtheamountofrestitutiondueandmodifyasnecessary.Theburdenofdemonstratingtheamountofthelosssustainedbyavictimasaresultoftheoffenseisagainonthestateattorney.§775.089(7).Incalculatingvalueoftheitems,thecourtmayusethefairmarketvaluationmethodaboveoranotheracceptablemethodatitsdiscretion.

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4. WherethereisNoncompliancewithaValidRestitutionOrder

Iftherestitutionamountissetandthestateattorneyrequestedthehearingtoreviewcompliance,thehearingwillbetoverifycomplianceandenforcetheorderinthesamemannerasajudgmentinacivilaction.Theburdenofdemonstratingthepresentfinancialresources,theabsenceofpotentialfuturefinancialresources,andthefinancialneedsofthepayorisonthepayor.§775.089(7).Remindthepayorthatthejuvenilecourtmayretainjurisdictionoverthechildorchild’sparentorguardianuntiltherestitutionorderissatisfied.§985.0301(5)(i).

D. Restitutiondetermination

Explaintothechildwhatthedeterminationmeansandhowthecourtarrivedatthatdeterminationinclear,simplelanguage.Onanyfindingthatrestitutionisdue,verifythatthechildknowswhatisrequiredofhimorher,andtheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequired.Wherethecourtordersrestitution,thecourtmaybeininstallmentsormaybeinlumpsumimmediately.§775.089(3)(a)&(c).Wheretheorderissilentastothemannerofpaymentofrestitution,restitutionmustbemadeimmediately.§775.089(3)(d).Thecourtmayordertheclerkofthecourttocollectanddispenserestitutionpayments.§775.089(11)(a).

E. Requirementsforawrittenorderofrestitution

1. Thecontentsoftherestitutionarelimitedby§985.0301(5)(i).Therestitutionordershallinclude:• Nameandaddressofchild.Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,if

unknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.

• Nameandaddressofparentsorguardians.Statethenameandaddressoftheparentorguardianor,ifunknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.

• Nameandaddressofpayee.Statethenameandaddressofthepayee.• Casenumber.Statethecasenumber.• Dateandamount.Statethedateandamountofrestitutionordered.• Amountpaid.Statetheamount,ifany,ofrestitutionpaidtodate.• Amountdue.Statetheamountofrestitutiondueandowing.• Otherfeesdue.Statethatcosts,interest,penalties,andattorney’sfeesmay

alsobedueandowing.

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2. TermsSubjectto§775.089(5)

Notethatthetermsoftherestitutionorderaresubjectto§775.089(5),whichdiscussesenforcementofarestitutionorder.Restitutionorderscanbeenforcedinthesamemannerasajudgmentinacivilaction.Theoutstandingrestitutionbearsinterestand,whenproperlyrecorded,becomesalienonanyrealestateownedbythechildorthechild’sparentorguardian.Ifcivilenforcementisnecessary,thechildorchild’sparentorguardianisresponsibleforcostsandattorney'sfeesincurredbythevictiminenforcingtheorder.

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CORRECTIONOFORDERSHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;985.033;985.035

RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.100;8.135;8.165;8.929RulesofAppellateProcedure9.110;9.140;9.145RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARINGThepurposeofthecorrectionofordershearingistodeterminewhetherthecourthasmadeanerrorinthedispositionorcommitmentorderthatmustbecorrected.

RULESOFEVIDENCE Thesamerulesofevidenceusedinevidentiaryhearings.

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


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CORRECTIONOFORDERSHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explainthepurposeofthecorrectionofordershearing.Letthechildknowthat

thepurposeofthehearingistodeterminewhetherthecourthasmadeanerrorinthedispositionorcommitmentorderthatmustbecorrected.





B. Adviseofrights






C. Correctionhearingprocedure

Ø Oncethecourtreceivesamotionforcorrection,thecourtmustdeterminewhetheritcanresolvethemotionasamatteroflawwithoutahearing.

Ø Ifahearingisnecessary,thecourtwillhavetendaysfromthefilingtoholdaninitialhearing,withnoticetoallparties.

Ø Thecourtisrequiredtofileanorderrulingonthemotionwithin30daysofthedateoftheinitialfiling.

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D. Correctiondetermination

Ø Thecourtshouldexaminetherecordsofthehearingthatprovidethebasisfortheorderinquestionanddeterminewhethertherewasanerrorintheorder.

Ø Explaintothechildwhatthedeterminationmeansandhowthecourtarrivedatthatdeterminationinclear,simplelanguage.Verifythatthechildknowswhatisrequiredofhimorher,andtheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequired.

E. Requirementsforacorrecteddispositionorder

Ø Clearlymarkthattheorderisanamendedorder.Ø Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,designatethechildbya

nameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.Ø Statethedispositionofeachcountspecifyingthecharge,thedegreeofoffense,

andthemaximumpenaltydefinedbystatute.Ø Ifcounselwaived,makefindingthatthewaiverwasknowing,intelligent,and

voluntary.Ø Stategeneralandspecificconditionsorsanctions.Ø Makefindingsastothedispositionofthechild.Ø Statethedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountryandcourtwhereissued.Ø Thechild’sfingerprintsmustbeaffixedtotheorderofdisposition.Ø Statetheperiodofthedisposition.Ø Statewhetherthecourtretainsjurisdictionoverdischarge.

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CORRECTIONOFORDERSHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally


2. Recording


3. Purpose

Thepurposeofthecorrectionhearingistodeterminewhetherthecourthasmadeanerrorinthedispositionorcommitmentorderthatmustbecorrected.



5. NoticeAssessmentIftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Parentsorguardiansshouldbenotifiedofthehearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearchfollowingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.

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Thenonattendancebyaparentorguardianmayrequirethecontinuanceofthecorrectionhearing.Ifthecourtordersthechildtopaymonetaryrestitution,itisdonethroughapromissorynotecosignedbytheparentsorguardians.§985.437(2).Additionally,thestatemayseekrestitutionorcommunityservicebythechild’sparents;aseparatepetitioncalleda“PetitionforParentalSanctions”mustbefiledwiththecourt,andtheparentsorguardiansmustbeserved.Rules8.030and8.031.Ifeitherofthesesituationshasoccurred,alackofserviceorafailuretoappearmaybegroundsforacontinuanceofthehearing,ifapartycanshowgoodcauseforthecontinuance.Rule8.100(e).



B. Adviseofrights

1. RighttoCounselDeterminewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifchildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtmustmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthat,ifindigent,heorshehastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselat

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allstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-clientrelationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).






C. Correctionhearingprocedure

1. MotionbeforeappealIftheState,child,orDJJfilesamotiontocorrectanorder,themotionmustbefiledwithinthetimeframespecifiedintheRulesofAppellateProcedure.Rule8.135(b)(1).Thechildmustfilewithin30daysofrenditionofthewrittendispositionorderorcommitmentorder.Rule9.140(b)(1)(B).TheStatemustfilewithin15daysofrenditionofthewrittenordertobereviewed.Rule9.140(c)(3).IftheStateisfilingamotiontocorrectapre-adjudicationorder,thenoticeofappealmustbefiledwithin15daysoftherenditionoftheorderandmustbebeforecommencementoftheadjudicatoryhearing.Rule9.145(c)(2).

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2. MotionpendingappealTheStateorchildmayfileamotiontocorrectwhileanappealispendingifitisdonebeforetheparty’sfirstbriefisserved.Rule8.135(b)(2).Unlessthemotionexplicitlystatesotherwise,trialcounselwillrepresentthemovingparty.Rule8.135(b)(2)(A).IftheStateisthemovingparty,thechildwillberepresentedbythetrialcounselunlessthecourtisotherwisenotified.Rule8.135(b)(2)(A).TheStatemayfileonlyifthecorrectionoftheerrorwouldbenefitthechildortocorrectascrivener’serror.Rule8.135(b).InJ.D.v.State,849So.2d458(Fla.4thDCA2003),thecourtindicatedthatascrivener’serrorreferredto,“clericalorministerialerrorsinacriminalcasethatoccurinthewrittensentence,judgment,ororderofprobationorrestitution.”

3. DeterminewhetherHearingisNecessary;HearingTimeframe

Oncethecourtreceivesamotionforcorrection,thecourtmustdeterminewhetheritcanresolvethemotionasamatteroflawwithoutahearing.Rule8.135(b)(1)(B).Ifahearingisnecessary,thecourtwillhave10daysfromtheinitialfilingtoholdaninitialhearing,withnoticetoallparties.Rule8.135(b)(1)(B).Thecourtisrequiredtofileanorderrulingonthemotionwithin30daysfromthedateoftheinitialfiling.Rule8.135(b)(1)(B).Themotionwillbedeemeddeniedifnoorderisfiledwithin30days.Rule8.135(b)(1)(B).

D. Correctiondetermination

Thecourtshouldexaminetherecordsofthehearingthatprovidethebasisfortheorderinquestion.Comparethehearingrecordswiththewrittenorder,taketestimonyasnecessary,anddeterminewhethertherewasanyerror.Explaintothechildwhatthedeterminationmeansandhowthecourtarrivedatthatdeterminationinclear,simplelanguage.Verifythatthechildknowswhatisrequiredofhimorher,andtheconsequencesoffailingtoactasrequired.

E. Requirementsforacorrectedorder

1. Thecourtisrequiredtofileawrittenorderrulingonthemotionwithin30daysfromthedateoftheinitialfiling.Rule8.135(b)(1)(B).• Veryclearlymark“Amended”atthetopoftheneworder.Inthismanner,

affectedpartieswillknowthattheorderisacorrectedorder.• Nameandaddress.Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,ifunknown,


• Dateandtime.Specifythedateandtimewhenissuedandthecountyand

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courtwhereissued.• Finally,includethoseelementsasrequiredbythetypeoforderbeing

corrected.

210

COMPETENCYHEARINGATAGLANCE


FloridaStatutes§§27.52;90.6063;985.033;985.035;985.19;985.29

RulesofJudicialAdministration2.560RulesofJuvenileProcedure8.010;8.015;8.030;8.031;8.085;8.090;8.095;8.100;8.165;8.929RulesforCertificationandRegulationofCourtInterpreters14.100

PURPOSEOFHEARINGThepurposeofthecompetencyhearingistodeterminewhetherthechildallegeddelinquentmaybeincompetenttoproceedwiththechargesagainsthimorher.

BURDENOFPROOF Clearandconvincingevidence.

RULESOFEVIDENCE Rulesofevidenceusedincivilcases.

RIGHTTOCOUNSEL


212

COMPETENCYHEARINGBENCHCARDA. Generally


Ø Verifythattheproceedingisbeingrecordedortranscribed.Ø Explaintothechildthatthepurposeofthecompetencyhearingistodetermine

whetherthechildmaybeincompetenttoproceedwiththechargesagainsthimorher.


Ø Determinewhethertheparents/legalguardiansarepresentorabsent.Ø Ifparents/legalguardiansareabsent,requestDJJgiveathoroughdescriptionof

thestepstakentolocatetheparentsandprovidethemnoticeofthedetentionhearing.


B. Adviseofrights






C. Competencyhearingprocedure

Ø Thecourtmust,uponmotionfromthebythechildorthestate,ormayuponthecourt’sownmotion,stayanyandallproceedingsandorderanevaluationofthechild’smentalcondition.

Ø Thehearingshallbesetforatimedeterminedbythecourt.Verifythatthechildunderstandsthepurposeofthehearinginclear,simplelanguage.

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D. Competencydetermination

Ø Alldeterminationsofcompetencyshallbebasedontheevaluationofthechild’smentalconditionmadebynolessthantwoandnomorethan3expertsappointedbythecourt,thoughothercompetentevidencemaybeintroducedatthehearing.Explaintothechildthepurposeoftheevaluationsandhowtheyareusedintheproceeding.

Ø Theevaluationsbythecourt-appointedexpertsmustincludethebasisforanydetermination,andarecommendationastowhetherresidentialornonresidentialtreatmentortrainingisrequired.

Ø Thecourtshalldeterminewhetherthechildisincompetenttoproceed.Verifythatthechildunderstandswhatthedeterminationmeansandwhatisexpectedofhimorher.

E. Confinementassessment

Ø Ifthechildisdeterminedtobecompetent,proceedaccordingly.Ø Ifthechildisdeterminedtobeincompetent,determinewhetherheorshemust

begivenintothecustodyoftheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesfortreatment,training,oreducation.

Ø IfthechildisdeemedincompetenttoproceedbutisnotputintothecustodyoftheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilies,determinewhetheranyformofcourt-orderedtreatmentisnecessary,and,ifso,orderit.

Ø Ifthechildisdeterminedtobeincompetent,setthenexthearingatmost6monthsfromthedateoftheorderofincompetency.

F. Requirementsforawrittenorderofincompetency

Ø Nameandaddressofchild.Ø Includewrittenfindingsthatserveasthebasisfortheorder.Ø Specifythetreatmentordered.Ø Dateofnexthearing.

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COMPETENCYHEARINGOUTLINEA. Generally


2. Recording


3. Purpose

Thepurposeofthecompetencyhearingistodeterminewhetherthechildmaybeincompetenttoproceedwiththechargesagainsthimorher.



5. NoticeAssessmentIftheparentsorguardianshavebeenidentifiedandareabsentfromtheproceeding,determinethestepstakentolocateandprovidenoticeofthedetentionhearing.Parentsorguardiansshouldbenotifiedofthehearing.Arepresentativefromtheagencyresponsibleforservingnoticeontheparentsorguardiansmustperformadiligentsearchfollowingadetailedandthoroughlistofsourcesheorshemustcheck,beforeheorshecanreportthefailuretonotice.SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationonthediligentsearchrequirement.

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B. Adviseofrights

1. RighttoCounselDeterminewhetherchildisrepresentedbycounsel.Ifchildappearswithoutcounsel,advisethechildoftherighttocounsel.Section985.033requiresthatthechildmustbeadvisedoftherighttocounselatallstagesofanydelinquencycourtproceeding.Determinewhethertherighttocounselisunderstood.Thecourtmustinquirewhetherthechildunderstandsthisright.Rule8.165(b)(2).Nowaivermaybeacceptedifitappearsthatthechildisunabletomakeanintelligentandunderstandingdecisionduetomentalcondition,age,education,experience,thenatureofthecase,orotherfactors.Rule8.165(b)(4).Determinewhetherthechildandthechild’sparentsorguardiansmaybeconsideredindigent.Iftheclerkofcourthasnotmadeadeterminationofindigentstatusatorbeforethetimeofthehearing,thecourtmustmakeapreliminarydeterminationofindigentstatus,pendingfurtherreviewbytheclerk,andmay,bycourtorder,appointapublicdefender.§27.52(3).Apersonseekinganappointedcounselbasedonaninabilitytopaymustapplytotheclerkofcourtforindigentstatususingthestandardapplicationform.§27.52(1).Ifindigent,adviseoftherighttohavecounselappointed.Thechildmustbeadvisedthat,ifindigent,thechildhastherighttohavecounselappointedbythecourtinaccordancewith§27.52.§985.033(4).Ifcounseliswaived,determineifwaiverisknowing,intelligent,andvoluntary.Section985.033(2)requiresthatachildmustberepresentedbylegalcounselatallstagesofalljuvenilecourtproceedingsunlesstherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild.Thecourtmustinquiretodeterminewhethertherightisknowingly,freely,andintelligentlywaivedbythechild;waiverofcounselcanoccuronlyafterthechildhashadameaningfulopportunitytoconferwithcounselregardingrighttocounselandconsequencesofwaivingcounsel.Rule8.165(a).Waiverofcounselmustbeontherecord.Rule8.165(a).Ifawaiverofcounselisacceptedatanystageoftheproceedings,theofferofcounselmustberenewedbythecourtateachsubsequentproceedingatwhichthepartyappearswithoutcounsel.Rule8.165(b)(5).Ifanattorney-client

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relationshipisdiscontinued,thecourtmustadvisethechildoftherighttohavenewcounselretainedorappointedfortheremainderoftheproceedings.§985.033(1).






C. Competencyhearingprocedures

1. StayanyandallProceedingsThecourtmust,uponmotionfromthebythechildorthestate,ormayuponthecourt’sownmotion,stayanyandallproceedingsandorderanevaluationofthechild’smentalcondition.§985.19(1).Ifthechild’sattorneysubmittedthemotion,themotionmustincludeacertificatethatthemotionwasmadeingoodfaithandonreasonablegroundstobelievethatthechildisincompetenttoproceed.Rule8.095(a)(1)(A).Themotionmustincludearecitalofobservationsandfactsthat,whilenotinvadinglawyer-clientprivilege,formthebasisforthemotion.Rule8.095(a)(1)(A).Ifthestatefilesthemotion,themotionmustincludeacertificatethatthemotionismadeingoodfaithandonreasonablegroundstobelievethatthechildisincompetent,includingarecitalofobservationsandstatementsofthechildthathaveformedthebasisforthemotion.Rule8.095(a)(1)(B).

2. Service

Anymotionquestioningthecompetencyofachildmustbeservedonthechild’sattorney,thestateattorney,theattorneysrepresentingtheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilies,andtheattorneysrepresentingtheDJJ.§985.19(1)(a).

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3. SpeedyTrialTimeTollsUponthefilingofamotionbythechild’scounselallegingincompetencytoproceed,oronthecourt’sorderfindingthechildincompetenttoproceed,speedytrialshallbetolleduntilasubsequentorderthatthechildiscompetenttoproceed.MotionsbythestateorbythecourtitselfthatthechildisincompetenttoproceedmaytollspeedytrialpursuanttoRule8.090(e).Rule8.095(a)(9).SeeGeneralTopicsformoreinformationaboutspeedytrials.

4. SettheHearing

Thehearingshallbesetforatimedeterminedbythecourt.Rule8.095(a)(2).Thehearingdatemustallowtimeforexpertstoexamineandevaluatethechild’smentalcondition.

5. DetentionisPermissible

Thecourtmayorderthechilddetainedpendingexamination;thisinnowayaddsanydetentionpowernotprovidedbystatuteorcaselaw.Rule8.095(c)(2).

D. Competencydetermination

1. BasisforaDeterminationAlldeterminationsofcompetencyshallbebasedontheevaluationofthechild’smentalconditionmadebynolessthan2andnomorethan3expertsappointedbythecourt,§985.19(1)(b),thoughothercompetentevidencemaybeintroducedatthehearing.Rule8.095(c)(1).Theappointmentofexpertsbythecourtdoesnotprecludethechildorthestatefromcallingotherexpertwitnessestotestify.Rule8.095(c)(1).

2. EvaluationbyExperts

Theevaluationsbythecourt-appointedexpertsmustincludethebasisforanydetermination,andarecommendationastowhetherresidentialornonresidentialtreatmentortrainingisrequired.§985.19(1)(b).Theevaluatorsmustdeterminewhetherthechildhassufficientpresentabilitytoconsultwithcounselwithareasonabledegreeofrationalunderstandingandwhetherthechildhasarationalandfactualunderstandingofthepresentproceedings.Rule8.095(d)(1)(A).Theevaluationmustaddressthechild’scapacityto:• Appreciatethechargesorallegationsagainstthechild;• Appreciatetherangeandnatureofpossiblepenaltiesthatmaybeimposed

intheproceedingsagainstthechild,ifapplicable;• Understandtheadversarialnatureofthelegalprocess;• Disclosetocounselfactspertinenttotheproceedingsatissue;• Displayappropriatecourtroombehavior;and• Testifyrelevantly.§985.19(1)(f)(1)-(6).

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3. ExpertReportIftheexpertsrecommendthatthechildisincompetenttoproceed,theymustincludeintheirreportanyrecommendedtreatmentforthechildtogaincompetencetoproceed.Rule8.095(d)(2).Inconsideringissuesrelatedtotreatment,theexpertsmustreportonthefollowing:• Thementalillness,mentalretardation,ormentalagecausingincompetence;• Thetreatmentoreducationappropriateforthementalillnessormental

retardationofthechildandanexplanationofeachofthepossibletreatmentoreducationalternatives,inorderofrecommendation;

• Theavailabilityofacceptabletreatmentoreducation.Iftreatmentoreducationisavailableinthecommunity,theexpertsmuststatethatinthereport.

• Thelikelihoodofthechildattainingcompetenceunderthetreatmentoreducationrecommended,anassessmentoftheprobabledurationofthetreatmentrequiredtorestorecompetence,andtheprobabilitythatthechildwillattaincompetencetoproceedintheforeseeablefuture;and

• Whetherthechildmeetsthecriteriaforinvoluntaryhospitalizationorinvoluntaryadmissionstoresidentialservicesunderchapter985,FloridaStatutes.Rule8.095(d)(2)(A)-(E).

4. “MentalRetardation”or“Autism”

Ifthemotionalleges“mentalretardation”or“autism,”thecourtshallordertheAgencyforPersonswithDisabilitiestoexaminethechildtodeterminewhetherthechildmeetsthedefinitionof“mentalretardation”or“autism,”and,ifso,whetherthechildiscompetenttoproceedwiththedelinquencyproceedings.§985.19(1)(e).

5. IfFoundCompetent

Ifthechildiscompetent,enteranordersofindingandproceedaccordingly.Rule8.095(a)(3).

6. IfFoundIncompetent

Ifthecourtfindsthechildincompetenttoproceed,thechildmustbeadjudicatedincompetenttoproceed.Thecourtmustthendeterminetheappropriatetreatmentortrainingforthechild.Rule8.095(a)(4).

E. Confinementassessment

1. CommitmenttoDCFAchildwhoisadjudicatedincompetenttoproceed,andwhohascommittedadelinquentactorviolationofthelaw,eitherofwhichwouldbeafelonyifcommittedbyanadult,mustbecommittedtoDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesfortreatmentortraining.§985.19(2).

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2. WhenCommitmenttoDCFisImpermissibleAchildwhoisadjudicatedincompetenttoproceed,andwhohascommittedadelinquentactorviolationofthelaw,eitherofwhichwouldbeconsideredamisdemeanorifcommittedbyanadult,maynotbecommittedtotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesforrestoration-of-competencytreatmentortrainingservices.§985.19(2).Achildwhoisadjudicatedincompetenttoproceedbecauseofageorimmaturity,orforanyreasonotherthanformentalillnessorretardationorautism,mustnotbecommittedtotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesforrestoration-of-competencytreatmentortrainingservices.§985.29(2).

3. SecurePlacementDetermination

Ifthechildisadjudicatedincompetenttoproceedbecauseofmentalillness,retardation,orautism,thecourtmustdeterminewhetherthechildmeetsthecriteriaforsecureplacement.§985.19(3).Thecriteriaforsecureplacementisafindingbasedonclearandconvincingevidencethatthechildismentallyill,mentallyretardedorhasautism,andbecauseofthat:• thechildismanifestlyincapableofsurvivingwiththehelpofwillingand

responsiblefamilyorfriends,includingavailablealternativeservices,andwithouttreatmentortrainingthechildislikelytoeithersufferfromneglectorrefusetocareforself,andsuchneglectorrefusalposesarealandpresentthreatofsubstantialharmtothechild'swell-being;or

• thereisasubstantiallikelihoodthatinthenearfuturethechildwillinflictseriousbodilyharmonselforothers,asevidencedbyrecentbehaviorcausing,attempting,orthreateningsuchharm;

andallavailablelessrestrictivealternatives,includingtreatmentortrainingincommunityresidentialfacilitiesorcommunitysettingswhichwouldofferanopportunityforimprovementofthechild'scondition,areinappropriate.§985.19(3).

4. WhereDetentionCriteriaareMet

Achildadjudicatedincompetenttoproceedbecauseofmentalillness,retardation,orautism,andwhomeetsthedetentioncriteriain§985.19(3)mustbecommittedtotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilies.Rule8.095(a)(6).AchildadjudicatedincompetentbecauseofmentalretardationmaybeorderedintoaprogramdesignatedbyDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesforretardedchildren.Rule8.095(a)(6)(A).AchildadjudicatedincompetentbecauseofmentalillnessmaybeorderedintoaprogramdesignatedbytheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesformentallyillchildren.Rule8.095(a)(6)(B).

5. WhereDetentionCriteriaarenotMet

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Achildadjudicatedincompetenttoproceedbecauseofmentalillness,retardation,orautism,andwhodoesnotmeetthedetentioncriteriashallbeorderedintotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliescareandprovidedappropriatetreatmentandtraininginthecommunity.Rule8.095(a)(8).Allcourt-orderedtreatmentmustbeintheleastrestrictivesettingconsistentwithpublicsafety.Rule8.095(a)(8).

6. ReportbyServiceProvider

Theserviceproviderwhoisprovidingtreatmentoreducationtothechildmustfilewiththecourtawrittenreportnotlaterthan6monthsafterthedateofcommitment,orattheendofanyperiodofextendedtrainingoreducation,andatanytimetheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliesdeterminesthechildhasattainedcompetency,orsoonerifsoorderedbythecourt.§985.19(4)(e).

7. RetentionofJurisdictionThecourtshallretainjurisdictionofachildadjudicatedincompetenttoproceedforupto2yearsafterthedateoftheorderofincompetency,withreviewsatleastevery6monthstodeterminecompetency.§985.19(5)(a).Ifthecourtdeterminesthatthechildhasnotattainedcompetency,thecourtshallorderappropriatenondelinquenthospitalizationortreatmentinconformitywithRule8.095andtheapplicablesectionsofChapter985,FloridaStatutes.Rule8.095(a)(5)(A).Ifthecourtatanytimedeterminesthatthechildwillneverattaincompetency,thecourtmaydismissthedelinquencypetitionorpetitionallegingviolationofjuvenileprobation.Rule8.095(a)(7)(A).Ifnecessary,thecourtmayorderproceedingsunderChapter393,FloridaStatutes(DevelopmentalDisabilities)orChapter394,FloridaStatutes(FloridaMentalHealthActorTheBakerAct)beinstitutednotlessthan60daysbeforethedismissalofthedelinquencypetition.Rule8.085(a)(7)(C).

8. DismissalofDelinquencyPetition

If,attheendofthetwo-yearperiod,thechildhasnotattainedcompetencyandthereisnoevidencethatheorshewillattaincompetencywithinoneyear,thecourtmustdismissthedelinquencypetition.Rule8.095(a)(7)(B).

F. Requirementsforawrittenorderofincompetency

1. Theorderofincompetencymustinclude:• Nameandaddressofchild.Statethenameandaddressofthechildor,if

unknown,designatethechildbyanameordescriptionthatcanidentifythechildwithreasonablecertainty.

• Writtenfindings.Includespecificwrittenfindingsastothenatureoftheincompetencyandwhetherthechildrequiressecureornonsecuretreatmentortrainingenvironments.§985.19(1)(c).

• Treatmentordered.Includethetreatment,training,oreducationordered

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forthechild,andthefindingssuchisbasedon.• Dateofnexthearing.Includeintheorderthedateofthefollowuphearing

toassesswhetherthechildhasattainedcompetence.

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Appendices

TableofContentsAppendix1:DetentionRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI)Appendix2:TenThingsEveryJuvenileCourtJudgeShouldKnowAboutTraumaandDelinquencyAppendix3:HelpingTraumatizedChildren:TipsForJudges

Appendix1:DetentionRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI)Appendix1isnotavailableinelectronicformat,ifyouwouldliketorequestahardcopyofthisdocumentpleasecontactourofficeat:OSCA,OfficeofCourtImprovement,500

SouthDuvalStreet,Tallahassee,Florida32399.Telephone:850/414.1507.

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Appendix2:TenThingsEveryJuvenileCourtJudgeShouldKnowAboutTraumaandDelinquency1

Appendix2isavailableinelectronicformatatthefollowingwebsite:http://www.ncjfcj.org/sites/default/files/trauma%20bulletin_1.pdf

1KristineBuffington,CarlyB.Dierkhising,&ShawnC.Marsh.TenThingsEveryJuvenileCourtJudgeShouldKnowAboutTraumaandDelinquency.Reno,NV:NationalCouncilofJuvenileandFamilyCourtJudges(2010).

Appendix3:HelpingTraumatizedChildren:TipsForJudges1

Appendix3isavailableinelectronicformatatthefollowingwebsite:

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/JudgesFactSheet.pdf

1NationalChildTraumaticStressNetwork,JusticeSystemConsortium.HelpingTraumatizedChildren:TipsforJudges.LosAngeles,CA&Durham,NC:NationalCenterforChildTraumaticStress(2009).

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Index

Index

AAdjudicatoryHearingBenchcard,126AdjudicatoryHearingOutline,128Child'sRights,129ClosingArgumentOrder,132CustodyPendingDisposition,134DefenseofAlibi,131DegreesofOffensesIncluded,134DelinquencyDetermination,135JointTrials,131MotionforDismissal,134NoticeAssessment,129ParticipationinDiscovery,131Purpose,128RequirementsforWrittenOrderofAdjudication,135

RighttoAppeal,134RulesofEvidence,132SettingDispositionhearing,135WrittenFindingifChildisinPublicSchool,133

Appeals,9AppealtotheAppellateCourt,10Generally,9MotionforExtraordinaryRelief,10MotionforRehearing,9

Appendix1DetentionRiskAssessmentInstrument(RAI),225

Appendix2TenThingsEveryJuvenileCourtJudgeShouldKnowAboutTraumaandDelinquency,226

Appendix3HelpingTraumatizedChildrenTipsForJudges,227

ArraignmentHearingBenchcard,113ArraignmentHearingOutline,115Child'sRights,116CommitmentIssueifDomesticViolenceisAlleged,121

CustodyDeterminationPendingDisposition,121

DeterminationofVoluntarinessofPlea,118

IfAnswerisFiled,118Non-CitizenJuvenileVoluntarinessIssue,119

NoticeAssessment,115PleaofGuiltyorNoloContendere,118

PleaofNotGuilty,118PrimaFacieCaseofDelinquency,117Purpose,115ReasonsnottoPlacetheChild,122RequiredAcknowledgmentforPlea,120

SettingAdjudicatoryHearing,120AuthorityofCourtoverParents,12CostsofRepresentation,13Fees,13NonattendancebyaParentorGuardian,12

ParentingSkillsCourse,13RestitutionorCommunityService,13

CChildAdjudicatedNotGuiltybyReasonofInsanity,14NotGuiltybyReasonofInsanity,14Review,15Treatment,14

CommitmenttoDJJ

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High-riskresidential,17Maximum-riskresidential,17Minimum-risknonresidential,16Nonsecureresidential,16RestrictivenessLevels,16

CommitmentstoDJJ,16CommitmentProcess,16

CommonAcronyms,3CommonEvidenceIssues,63BodySearches,64InvestigatoryStopsversusConsensualEncounters,63

StandardsinaSchoolSetting,65VehicleSearches,64WeaponsIssues,65

CompetencyHearingBenchcard,212CompetencyHearingOutline,214Child'sRights,215CompetencyDetermination,217ConfinementAssessment,218EvaluationbyExperts,217NoticeAssessment,214Purpose,214ReportbyServiceProvider,220RequirementsforaWrittenOrderofIncompetency,220

RetentionofJurisdiction,220SecurePlacementDetermination,219StayingOtherProceedings,216

ConditionalReleaseandPost-CommitmentProbation,18ConditionalRelease,18Post-CommitmentProbation,18

Confidentiality,20Exceptions,20

ContemptofCourtHearingBenchcard,169

ContemptofCourtHearingOutline,170BurdenofProof,174Child'sRights,171DirectContemptofCourt,170IftheChildPleadsGuilty,174IftheChildPleadsNotGuilty,174IndirectContemptHearingProcedure,173

JudgmentandPronouncementofSentence,174

NoticeAssessment,171Purpose,170RequirementsforaWrittenJudgmentofContempt,175

Sanctions,174CorrectionofOrdersHearingBenchcard,202

CorrectionofOrdersHearingOutline,204Child'sRights,205CorrectionDetermination,207HearingTimeframe,207MotionFiledBeforeAppeal,206MotionFiledPendingAppeal,207NoticeAssessment,204Purpose,204RequirementsforaCorrectedOrder,207

CostofCourt,Care,andSupervision,22AdditionalFees,22Child'sObligationuponTurning18,23FeeDetermination,23FeeReimbursement,24FeeWaiver,23Generally,22ParentalLiability,22RequiredInformation,22

D

239

DelinquencyCaseFlowChart,11Delinquency/DependencyCrossoverCases,25EffectivePracticesinCrossoverCases,30

Statistics,25DepartingfromDJJGuidelines,33E.A.R.v.State,33

DetentionCriteria,35Post-CommitmentDetention,37Pre-CommitmentDetention,35

DetentionHearingBenchcard,100DetentionHearingOutline,102AdditionalActswhileunderSupervision,107

ArraignmentHearingTimeframe,108Child'sRights,104ContinuedDetentionRegardlessofRAIScore,107

DetentionIssues,103HearingTimeframe,103NoticeAssessment,104ProbableCauseDetermination,106Purpose,103Requirementsforwrittenorderofdetention,108

StandardofProof,106Discovery,39Depositions,41Limitations,41RequiredDisclosuretoDJJ,40RequiredDisclosuretotheChild,39Sanctions,45

DispositionHearingBenchcard,138DispositionHearingOutline,142Child'sRights,143CommitmentDetermination,146

DetentionPendingCommitment,149NoticeAssessment,141OffensesInvolvingAlcohol,149OffensesInvolvingFirearms,148Probation,147Purpose,142RequiredBeforeDeterminingDisposition,145

RequirementsforaWrittenOrderofDisposition,149

Restitution,148ReviewofPredispositionReport,144

DiversionaryPrograms,47CivilCitation,49Expunction,51Generally,47JuvenileSubstanceInterventionProgram,50

TeenCourt,47DomesticViolenceIssues,52Bestpracticesindelinquencycasesinvolvingdomesticviolence,57

CourtroomPractices,59HowtoAscertainwhetherDomesticViolencemaybePresent,55

Statistics,52IImmigrationIssues,66InterpretersforForeignLanguages,68InterpreterDetermination,109ModesofInterpretingandServiceDeliveryMethods,71

PerformAssessmenttoDetermineNeeds,69

ProvisionofServices,70SelectionofInterpreter,69

InterstateCompact,73RunawaysandEscapees,73

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JJurisdictioninDelinquencyProceedings,75RetentionofJurisdiction,75

JuvenileAssessmentCenter,76JuvenileSexOffenderPrograms,79CommunityBasedTreatmentServices,79

JuvenileSexualOffenderCommitmentPrograms,80

JuvenileSexOffendersandTheAdamWalshAct,77Generally,77Registration,77RemovalfromtheRegistry,78WrittenFindingsRequired,77

MMedicaid/MedicareEligibilityforServicesuponRelease,81

OOverviewoftheFloridaJuvenileDelinquencyProcess,1

RRestitution,82AlternativestoFairMarketValue,82FairMarketValue,82

RestitutionHearingBenchcard,191RestitutionHearingOutline,193Child'sRights,194NoticeAssessment,193RequirementsforaWrittenOrderofRestitution,201

RestitutionDetermination,197RulesofEvidence,196WhenRestitutionAmountisinDispute,200

WhereChildisChallengingRestitutionAmount,196

WherethereisNoncompliancewithaValidRestitutionOrder,197

RiskAssessmentInstrument,83SServiceofProcess,84SpeedyTrial,85DemandforSpeedyTrial,85MotionforDischarge,85

TTableofContents,5Appendices,10GeneralTopics,5

TransfertoAdultCourt,87DiscretionaryDirectFile,88Indictments,90InvoluntaryDiscretionaryWaiver,87InvoluntaryMandatoryWaiver,87MandatoryDirectFile,89VoluntaryWaiver,87

UUnifiedFamilyCourt–ModelFamilyCourt,91

VViolationofProbationHearingBenchcard,156

ViolationofProbationHearingOutline,158BurdenofProof,160Child'sRights,159DispositionDetermination,162NoticeAssessment,159Purpose,158RequirementsforaWrittenOrder,162

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RulesofEvidence,161ViolationofProbationDetermination,161

WWaiverofJurisdictionHearingBenchcard,180

WaiverofJurisdictionHearingOutline,182Child'sRights,183

DiscretionaryInvoluntaryWaiver,184EvidenceConsideration,185JurisdictionDetermination,186MandatoryInvoluntaryWaiver,184NoticeAssessment,182Purpose,182RequirementsforaWrittenOrderonWaiverofJurisdiction,187

VoluntaryWaiver,184WalkerPlanApprovalbyJudge,93

2016 Delinquency Benchbook - flcourts.org · OVERVIEW OF THE FLORIDA JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCESS...

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