316.635

Courts having jurisdiction over traffic violations; powers relating to custody and detention of minors.

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316.635 Courts having jurisdiction over traffic violations; powers relating to custody and detention of minors.
(1) A court which has jurisdiction over traffic violations shall have original jurisdiction in the case of any minor who is alleged to have committed a violation of law or of a county or municipal ordinance pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle; however, any traffic offense that is punishable by law as a felony shall be under the jurisdiction of the circuit court.
(2) If a minor is arrested for the commission of a criminal traffic offense and transportation is necessary, the minor shall not be placed in any police car or other vehicle which at the same time contains an adult under arrest, except upon special order of the circuit court. However, if the minor is alleged to have participated with an adult in the same offense or transaction, the minor may be transported in the same vehicle with the adult.
(3) If a minor is taken into custody for a criminal traffic offense or a violation of chapter 322 and the minor does not demand to be taken before a trial court judge, or a Civil Traffic Infraction Hearing Officer, who has jurisdiction over the offense or violation, the arresting officer or booking officer shall immediately notify, or cause to be notified, the minor’s parents, guardian, or responsible adult relative of the action taken. After making every reasonable effort to give notice, the arresting officer or booking officer may:
(a) Issue a notice to appear pursuant to chapter 901 and release the minor to a parent, guardian, responsible adult relative, or other responsible adult;
(b) Issue a notice to appear pursuant to chapter 901 and release the minor pursuant to s. 903.06;
(c) Issue a notice to appear pursuant to chapter 901 and deliver the minor to an appropriate substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation facility or refer the minor to an appropriate medical facility as provided in s. 901.29. If the minor cannot be delivered to an appropriate substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation facility or medical facility, the arresting officer may deliver the minor to an appropriate intake office of the Department of Juvenile Justice, which shall take custody of the minor and make any appropriate referrals; or
(d) If the violation constitutes a felony and the minor cannot be released pursuant to s. 903.03, transport and deliver the minor to an appropriate Department of Juvenile Justice intake office. Upon delivery of the minor to the intake office, the department shall assume custody and proceed pursuant to chapter 984 or chapter 985.

If action is not taken pursuant to paragraphs (a)-(d), the minor shall be delivered to the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the parents, guardian, or responsible adult relative to take custody of the minor. If there is no parent, guardian, or responsible adult relative available, the department may retain custody of the minor for up to 24 hours.

(4) A minor who willfully fails to appear before any court or judicial officer as required by written notice to appear is guilty of contempt of court. Upon a finding by a court, after notice and a hearing, that a minor is in contempt of court for willful failure to appear pursuant to a valid notice to appear, the court may:
(a) For a first offense, order the minor to serve up to 5 days in a staff-secure shelter as defined in chapter 984 or, if space in a staff-secure shelter is unavailable, in a secure juvenile detention center.
(b) For a second or subsequent offense, the court may order a minor to serve up to 15 days in a staff-secure shelter or, if space in a staff-secure shelter is unavailable, in a secure juvenile detention center.
History.s. 3, ch. 72-179; s. 24, ch. 73-334; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 14, ch. 81-218; s. 4, ch. 83-218; s. 64, ch. 94-209; s. 27, ch. 98-280; s. 7, ch. 2004-11; s. 48, ch. 2014-162.
Note.Former s. 316.047.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases, 1985–2009 · leading case: State v. W.W.
State v. W.W. (2009) fladistctapp · cites it 5× “Our decision was based primarily on section 316.635(1). 5 That statute provides: A court which has jurisdiction over traffic violations shall have original jurisdiction in the case of any minor who is alleged to have committed a violation of law or of a county or municipal…”
N.J.G. v. State (2008) fladistctapp · cites it 2× “012 and section 316.635 Florida Statues, as well as case law consistently confirming the jurisdiction of the county court in such cases, including State v.”
State v. Jones (2005) fladistctapp · cites it 3× “§ 316.635(1), Fla. Stat. (2003) (emphasis added).”
J.R.S. v. State (1986) fladistctapp · cites it 2× “§ 316.635, Fla.Stat. (1983). Section 316.”
State v. WW (2009) fladistctapp · cites it 5× “Section 316.635(1), Florida Statutes, vests jurisdiction in the county court over misdemeanor traffic offenses, despite the general provisions of section 985.”
NJG v. State (2008) fladistctapp · cites it 2× “The petitioner mainly suggests that section 985.201, Florida Statutes (2002), and the decision of the Florida Supreme Court in V.”
State v. Schell (1985) flactyct35 “Section 316.635). 57 Id.; Ch. 81-218, Section 15, 1981 Fla.”
State v. Ashmore (1989) flacirct “However, there is nothing contained in Florida Chapters 316 or 316, including section 316.635(3), that would lead a reasonable man to construe section 322.”
— 316.635(1) — 3 cases
State v. W.W. (2009) fladistctapp “Our decision was based primarily on section 316.635(1). 5 That statute provides: A court which has jurisdiction over traffic violations shall have original jurisdiction in the case of any minor who is alleged to have committed a violation of law or of a county or municipal…”
State v. Jones (2005) fladistctapp “§ 316.635(1), Fla. Stat. (2003) (emphasis added).”
State v. WW (2009) fladistctapp “Section 316.635(1), Florida Statutes, vests jurisdiction in the county court over misdemeanor traffic offenses, despite the general provisions of section 985.”
— 316.635(3) — 1 case
State v. Ashmore (1989) flacirct “However, there is nothing contained in Florida Chapters 316 or 316, including section 316.635(3), that would lead a reasonable man to construe section 322.”
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This Florida statute resource is curated by the lawyer who curates this resource, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). Attorney Syfert regularly handles Chapter 316 matters in the context of traffic and automobile accident law and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.