Florida Statute 984.17 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XLVII
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS

Chapter 984
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF SERVICES

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F.S. 984.17

984.17 Response to petition and representation of parties.—

(1) At the time a 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, or legal 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 or parent shall, prior to 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, guardian, or legal 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 and in which a party denies the allegations of the petition and contests the adjudication.

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.

Note.—Former s. 39.438.

F.S. 984.17 on Google Scholar

F.S. 984.17 on Casetext

Amendments to 984.17

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 984.17

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 984.17.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 984.17

Total Results: 2

TMRMC v. Petersen

Court: Fla. Dist. Ct. App. | Date Filed: 2006-01-16T23:53:00-08:00

Citation: 920 So. 2d 75

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

Skipper v. Schumacher

Court: Fla. | Date Filed: 1936-05-28T00:00:00-08:00

Citation: 169 So. 58, 124 Fla. 384, 1936 Fla. LEXIS 1134

Snippet: Chicago, 166 U.S. 226, 233, 234, 41 L. Ed. 979, 983, 984, 17 S. Ct. 581." Further on in the opinion it