Dependency Law Finder

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

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Providing counsel to dependent children with special needs who have a statutory right to counselRule 8.231

Part III · Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings — A. General Provisions · Rules of Juvenile Procedure (October 1, 2026 ed.)

Related statutes: § 39.01305 Appointment of an attorney for a dependent child with certain special needs. · § 39.407

6 opinions cite Rule 8.231

  1. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure – Corrected Opinion SC15-150-4 · Florida Supreme Court 2016

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.231 5 times, the section generally

    …in this case,1 the Court adopted out-of- cycle amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure (Rules). As is relevant here, the Court adopted new rule 8.231 (Providing Counsel to Dependent Children with Special Needs), as well as amendments to existing rules 8.305 (Shelter Petition, Hearing, and Order); 8.310…

  2. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure SC15-150 · Florida Supreme Court 2016

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.231 5 times, the section generally

    …in this case,1 the Court adopted out-of- cycle amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure (Rules). As is relevant here, the Court adopted new rule 8.231 (Providing Counsel to Dependent Children with Special Needs), as well as amendments to existing rules 8.305 (Shelter Petition, Hearing, and Order); 8.310…

  3. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 191 So. 3d 257 · SC15-150-2 · Florida Supreme Court 2016

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.231 4 times, the section generally

    …(Administration of Psychotropic Medication to a Child in Shelter Care or- in Foster-.Care When Parental Consent Has Not Been Obtained). *258 First, in rule 8.231, based on the suggestion from the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program and Florida’s Children First in their joint comment, and as proposed by the Committee, the…

  4. In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure - 2024 Legislation SC2024-1093 · Florida Supreme Court 2024

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.231 2 times, the section generally

    …if one has not already been appointed, and must also appoint an attorney for the child. All appointments under this rule must conform to the provisions of rule 8.231. Both the guardian ad litem and attorney must meet the child and must have the opportunity to discuss the child’s suitability for residential treatment with…

  5. In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.013 and 8.350 SC22-1674 · Florida Supreme Court 2023

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.231 1 time, the section generally

    …been appointed, and shallmust also appoint an attorney for the child. All appointments pursuant tounder this rule shallmust conform to the provisions of rule 8.231. Both the guardian ad litem and attorney shallmust meet the child and shallmust have the opportunity to discuss the child’s suitability for residential…

  6. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure SC21-627 · Florida Supreme Court 2021

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.231 1 time, the section generally

    …parent as a parent in the proceeding until a court enters an order pursuant to law establishing the alleged biological parent as a parent in the proceeding. RULE 8.231. PROVIDING COUNSEL TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHO HAVE A STATUTORY RIGHT TO COUNSEL (a) [No…

Cited as rule 8.231 under earlier numbering (2)

These opinions cite a rule numbered 8.231 before that number meant this rule: before the rules were renumbered on July 1, 1991, or before this rule was adopted (effective 2016-01-21). They are about a different rule.

0 admin code rules cite Rule 8.231

DCF's rules in Chapter 65C, Florida Administrative Code, that cite it.

No admin code rule cites Rule 8.231.

0 CFOPs cite Rule 8.231

How DCF carries it out. A page opens in the CFOP reader with the citation highlighted.

No CFOP cites Rule 8.231.

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(a) Applicability. This rule applies to children for whom the court must appoint counsel under section 39.01305, Florida Statutes. This rule does not affect the court’s authority to appoint counsel for any other child.

(b) Duty of Court. The court must appoint an attorney to represent any child who has special needs as defined in section 39.01305, Florida Statutes, and who is subject to any proceeding under chapter 39, Florida Statutes.

(c) Duties of Attorney. The attorney must provide the child the complete range of legal services, from the removal from the home or from the initial appointment through all available appellate proceedings. With permission of the court, the attorney may arrange for supplemental or separate counsel to represent the child in appellate proceedings.

Amendments since the 1991 renumbering

From the Florida Bar edition's table of amending opinions. Where it lists a range of rules ("8.400–8.410"), each rule in the range today is listed.