Dependency Law Finder

Florida's dependency statutes, court rules and DCF operating procedures, with the appellate opinions that apply them

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M.S.M. v. State639 So. 2d 189 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1994) · DCA91-03417

Court
District Court of Appeal
Decided
1994-07-08
On CourtListener
RYDER, Acting Chief Judge.

M.S.M. contests his adjudication of delinquency and commitment to the custody of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) because the trial court’s order did not state specific reasons for the adjudication and commitment. We agree with M.S.M. and reverse.

While the order set forth many reasons why the lower court decided to exceed the recommended restrictiveness level, neither the order nor the transcript of the hearing revealed the specific reasons for its decision to adjudicate and commit M.S.M. The order did not, therefore, comply with section 39.052(3)(e), Florida Statutes (1991). As we stated in P.D.W. v. State, 621 So.2d 739 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993), strict compliance with this statutory section is mandatory, and the failure to comply constitutes reversible error. We reverse M.S.M.’s adjudication of delinquency and commitment to HRS’s custody, and remand for a new disposition hearing.

Reversed and remanded.

PARKER and PATTERSON, JJ., concur.

Opinion text: CourtListener, Free Law Project. Not an official reporter; check the court's version before citing.