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Florida Statute 984.17 - Full Text and Legal Analysis
Florida Statute 984.17 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
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F.S. 984.17 Case Law from Google Scholar Google Search for Amendments to 984.17

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XLVII
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS
Chapter 984
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF SERVICES; PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION FOR SCHOOL TRUANCY AND UNGOVERNABLE AND RUNAWAY CHILDREN
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F.S. 984.17
984.17 Response to petition and representation of parties.
(1) At the time a child in need of services petition is filed, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child.
(2) No answer to the petition or any other pleading need be filed by any child, parent, legal guardian, or custodian, but any matters which might be set forth in an answer or other pleading may be pleaded orally before the court or filed in writing as any such person may choose. Notwithstanding the filing of an answer or any pleading, the child and parent, legal guardian, or custodian shall, before an adjudicatory hearing, be advised by the court of the right to counsel.
(3) When a petition for a child in need of services has been filed and the parents, legal guardian, or custodian of the child and the child have advised the department that the truth of the allegations is acknowledged and that no contest is to be made of the adjudication, the attorney representing the department may set the case before the court for a disposition hearing. If there is a change in the plea at this hearing, the court shall continue the hearing to permit the attorney representing the department to prepare and present the case.
(4) An attorney representing the department shall represent the state in any proceeding in which the petition alleges that a child is a child in need of services.
History.s. 8, ch. 87-133; s. 13, ch. 92-170; s. 236, ch. 95-147; s. 29, ch. 96-398; s. 103, ch. 97-238; s. 9, ch. 97-281; s. 20, ch. 2025-153.
Note.Former s. 39.438.

F.S. 984.17 on Google Scholar

F.S. 984.17 on CourtListener

Amendments to 984.17


Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 984.17

Total Results: 1

TMRMC v. Petersen

920 So. 2d 75

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 17, 2006 | Docket: 1730609

Cited 3 times | Published

the minor child is a witness or a victim. Id. Section 984.17(1), Florida Statutes (2004), permits the court