Dependency Law Finder

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

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General magistratesRule 8.257

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

13 opinions cite Rule 8.257

  1. K.W. v. Department of Children & Families 3D2024-0400 · 3rd DCA 2024

    Reversed & remanded This opinion cites Rule 8.257 5 times: (b)(1), (b)(2)

    Termination reversed because a general magistrate held the advisory hearing, where the mother defaulted, without an order of referral authorizing it.

    …court, however, has the authority to refer matters to a general magistrate with an appropriate order of referral and the consent of all parties. See Fla. R. Juv. P. 8.257(b)(1) (“No matter shall be heard by a general magistrate without an appropriate order of referral and the consent to the referral of all parties.”). While a…

  2. A.T.N. v. Department of Children & Family Services 70 So. 3d 634 · 1D11-0543 · 1st DCA 2011

    Reversed & remanded This opinion cites Rule 8.257 5 times: (b)(1), (f), (h)

    · cited by 4 in all courts

    Dependency adjudication reversed because a general magistrate cannot preside over an adjudicatory hearing and DCF presented only hearsay, no evidence of a stipulation violation.

    … A.T.N. appeals an order that adopted a general magistrate’s recommended order in adjudicating her child, E.B., dependent. In violation of Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.257(h), the general magistrate, not the circuit judge, had presided over the adjudicatory hearing. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) concedes…

  3. D.W. v. State 77 So. 3d 804 · 2D10-5267 · 2nd DCA 2011

    This opinion cites Rule 8.257 2 times: (f)

    · cited by 1 in all courts

    …on October 5, 2010, and filed on October 8. The report informed D.W. that she could file exceptions within ten days "in accordance with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.257(f)." Nevertheless, the order directing restitution, which does not refer to the magistrate's report in any manner whatsoever, was signed and filed by the…

  4. G.O. v. Department of Children & Families 100 So. 3d 232 · 3D12-1554 · 3rd DCA 2012

    Reversed & remanded This opinion cites Rule 8.257 1 time: (h)

    Termination reversed because a general magistrate improperly presided over the adjudicatory hearing, which must be conducted by a judge.

    …magistrate recommended that the trial court terminate parental rights, and the trial judge signed the order terminating parental rights. Mother now appeals. Rule 8.257(h), Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure (2011), prohibits general magistrates from presiding over adjudicatory hearings under section 39.809, Florida Statutes…

  5. Interest of K.M. v. Department of Children & Family Services 86 So. 3d 556 · 2D11-5767 · 2nd DCA 2012

    Reversed & remanded This opinion cites Rule 8.257 1 time: (f)

    · cited by 11 in all courts

    Permanent guardianship order reversed because the mother lacked proper notice of a permanency hearing and no evidentiary hearing was held.

    …983 So.2d 761 , 764-65 n. 1 (Fla. 5th DCA 2008) (concluding that under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.490(h), which is worded similarly to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.257(f)— the juvenile rule of procedure on filing exceptions to a magistrate’s report — the appellant did not waive a claim of error by failing to file exceptions to…

  6. Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 894 So. 2d 875 · SC04-97 · Florida Supreme Court 2005

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 11 times, the section generally

    · cited by 1 in all courts

    …8.959, Summons for Dependency Arraignment; 8.960, Shelter Petition; and 8.979, Summons for Advisory Hearing. Finally, the Rules Committee proposes new rule 8.257, General Magistrates, governing the use of general magistrates in dependency proceedings. 1 In accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration…

  7. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 26 So. 3d 552 · SC09-141 · Florida Supreme Court 2009

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 8 times, the section generally

    · cited by 7 in all courts

    …amendment. Substantive comments also were filed by the Department of Children and Families with regard to the proposed amendments to rules 8.225, 8.235, 8.257, 8.265, and 8.310. Oral argument was heard in this case on June 4, 2009. AMENDMENTS Upon consideration of the Committee's report, the comments and…

  8. In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 939 So. 2d 74 · SC06-140 · Florida Supreme Court 2006

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 5 times, the section generally

    · cited by 3 in all courts

    …great majority of the amendments proposed by the Committee received no comment. We adopt without change the proposed amendments to rules 8.045, 8.135, 8.210, 8.257, 8.350, 8.515, and 8.535 and forms 8.911, 8.930, 8.964, 8.966, 8.980, 8.981, 8.983. [1] We also adopt without change the proposed new form 8.975. We adopt…

  9. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure - 2018 Regular-Cycle Report 258 So. 3d 1254 · SC18-174 · Florida Supreme Court 2018

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 3 times: (d)(3), and the section generally

    …a single 15-day speedy trial recapture window, proposed new rule 8.255(e) addressing the use of communication equipment, and the related amendment to rule 8.257(d)(3). 2 Instead, we direct the JCR Committee to coordinate its efforts as to those rule amendments with other Florida Bar rules committees, as explained below. …

  10. In re Amendments to Rules of Juvenile Proc. 951 So. 2d 804 · SC06-2151 · Florida Supreme Court 2007

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 2 times, the section generally

    · cited by 4 in all courts

    …and seven existing forms: rule 8.240 (Computation, Continuance, Extension, and Enlargement of Time); rule 8.250 (Examinations, Evaluations, and Treatment); rule 8.257 (General Magistrates); rule 8.305 (Shelter Petition, Hearing, and Order); rule 8.330 (Adjudicatory Hearings); rule 8.400 (Case Plans); rule 8.410 (Approval of…

  11. In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, and Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms SC22-1 · Florida Supreme Court 2022

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 1 time, the section generally

    …Written Notice. [No Change] Committee Notes - 23 - [No Change] RULE 8.257. GENERAL MAGISTRATES (a)–(c) [No Change] (d) Hearings. (1)-(2) [No Change] (3) The general magistrate shall have…

  12. In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Florida Probate Rules, Florida Rules of Traffic Court, Florida Small Claims Rules, Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure SC21-1049 · Florida Supreme Court 2021

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 1 time, the section generally

    …2.514, except for rules 8.300 and 8.305, to which rule 2.514(a)(2)(C) shall not apply and the statutory time period shall govern. (b)-(d) [NO CHANGE] RULE 8.257. GENERAL MAGISTRATES (a)-(c) [NO CHANGE] (d) Hearings. (1) [NO CHANGE] (2) The general magistrate shall take…

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

    Rule amendment This opinion cites Rule 8.257 1 time, the section generally

    …entitle the movant to a continuance, extension, or waiver of time including: (A) - (C) [No Change] (4) - (5) [No Change] RULE 8.257. GENERAL MAGISTRATES (a) Appointment. Judges of the circuit court may appoint as many general magistrates from among the members of The…

1 admin code rule cite Rule 8.257

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

  1. Rule 65C-30.013 Judicial Reviews and Court Reports. (1)(e)

0 CFOPs cite Rule 8.257

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

No CFOP cites Rule 8.257.

Shading shows how often opinions cite each provision: rarely sometimes often most. Click a provision to list the opinions citing it.

(a) Appointment. Judges of the circuit court may appoint as many general magistrates from among the members of The Florida Bar in the circuit as the judges find necessary, and the general magistrates shall continue in office until removed by the court. The order of appointment must be recorded. Every person appointed as a general magistrate must take the oath required of officers by the Constitution and the oath must be recorded before the magistrate discharges any duties of that office.

(b) Referral.

(1) Consent. No matter shall be heard by a general magistrate without an appropriate order of referral and the consent to the referral of all parties. Consent, as defined in this rule, to a specific referral, once given, cannot be withdrawn without good cause shown before the hearing on the merits of the matter referred. Consent may be express or implied in accordance with the requirements of this rule.

(2) Objection. A written objection to the referral to a general magistrate must be filed within 10 days of the service of the order of referral. If the time set for the hearing is less than 10 days after service of the order of referral, the objection must be filed before commencement of the hearing. Failure to file a written objection within the applicable time period is deemed to be consent to the order of referral.

(3) Order.

(A) The order of referral shall contain the following language in bold type: A REFERRAL TO A GENERAL MAGISTRATE REQUIRES THE CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS MATTER HEARD BEFORE A JUDGE. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS MATTER HEARD BEFORE THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE, YOU MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE REFERRAL WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE TIME OF SERVICE OF THIS ORDER. IF THE TIME SET FOR THE HEARING IS LESS THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE OF THIS ORDER, THE OBJECTION MUST BE MADE BEFORE THE HEARING. FAILURE TO FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION WITHIN THE APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD IS DEEMED TO BE A CONSENT TO THE REFERRAL. REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE SHALL BE BY EXCEPTIONS AS PROVIDED IN FLORIDA RULE OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE 8.257(f). A RECORD, WHICH INCLUDES A TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS, ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF PROCEEDINGS, OR STIPULATION BY THE PARTIES OF THE EVIDENCE CONSIDERED BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE AT THE PROCEEDINGS, WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE EXCEPTIONS.

(B) The order of referral must state with specificity the matter or matters being referred. The order of referral must also state whether electronic recording or a court reporter is provided by the court.

(4) Setting Hearing. When a referral is made to a general magistrate, any party or the general magistrate may set the action for hearing.

(c) General Powers and Duties. Every general magistrate must perform all of the duties that pertain to the office according to the practice in chancery and rules of court and under the direction of the court. A general magistrate shall be empowered to administer oaths and conduct hearings, which may include the taking of evidence. All grounds for disqualification of a judge shall apply to general magistrates.

(d) Hearings.

(1) The general magistrate must assign a time and place for proceedings as soon as reasonably possible after the referral is made and give notice to each of the parties either directly or by directing counsel to file and serve a notice of hearing. If any party fails to appear, the general magistrate may proceed ex parte or may adjourn the proceeding to a future day, giving notice of the adjournment to the absent party. The general magistrate must proceed with reasonable diligence in every referral and with the least delay practicable. Any party may apply to the court for an order to the general magistrate to speed the proceedings and to make the report and to certify to the court the reason for any delay.

(2) The general magistrate must take testimony and establish a record which may be by electronic means as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.535(g)(3) or by a court reporter. The parties may not waive this requirement.

(3) The general magistrate shall have authority to examine under oath the parties and all witnesses on all matters contained in the referral, to require production of all books, papers, writings, vouchers, and other documents applicable to it, and to examine on oath orally all witnesses produced by the parties. The general magistrate may take all actions concerning evidence that can be taken by the circuit court and in the same manner. The general magistrate shall have the same powers as a circuit judge to use communication technology as defined and regulated by Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.001 and 8.002.

(4) The notice or order setting a matter for hearing must state whether electronic recording or a court reporter is provided by the court. If the court provides electronic recording, the notice must also state that any party may provide a court reporter at that party’s expense, subject to the court’s approval.

(e) Report.

(1) The general magistrate must file a report that includes findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations and serve copies on all parties. If a court reporter was present, the report must contain the name and address of the reporter.

(2) The report and recommendations must contain the following language in bold type: SHOULD YOU WISH TO SEEK REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE, YOU MUST FILE EXCEPTIONS WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SERVICE OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA RULE OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE 8.257(f). YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH A RECORD SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT YOUR EXCEPTIONS WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SERVICE OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OR YOUR EXCEPTIONS WILL BE DENIED. A RECORD ORDINARILY INCLUDES A TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS, ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF PROCEEDINGS, OR STIPULATION BY THE PARTIES OF THE EVIDENCE CONSIDERED BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE AT THE PROCEEDINGS. THE PERSON SEEKING REVIEW MUST HAVE THE TRANSCRIPT PREPARED FOR THE COURT’S REVIEW.

(f) Exceptions. The parties may file exceptions to the report within 10 days from the time it is served on them. Any party may file cross-exceptions within 5 days from the service of the exceptions. However, the filing of cross-exceptions must not delay the hearing on the exceptions unless good cause is shown. If no exceptions are filed within that period, the court must take appropriate action on the report. If exceptions are filed, they must be heard on reasonable notice by either party or the court.

(g) Record.

(1) For the purpose of the hearing on exceptions, a record, substantially in conformity with this rule, must be provided to the court by the party seeking review. The record shall consist of:

(A) the court file;

(B) all depositions and evidence presented to the general magistrate; and

(C) the transcript of the proceedings, electronic recording of the proceedings, or stipulation by the parties of the evidence considered by the general magistrate at the proceedings.

(2) The transcript of the proceedings, electronic recording of the proceedings, or stipulation by the parties of the evidence considered by the general magistrate at the proceedings, if any, must be delivered to the judge and provided to all other parties not less than 48 hours before the hearing on exceptions.

(3) If less than a full transcript or electronic recording of the proceedings taken before the general magistrate is ordered prepared by the excepting party, that party must promptly file a notice setting forth the portions of the transcript or electronic recording that have been ordered. The responding party must be permitted to designate any additional portions of the transcript or electronic recording necessary to the adjudication of the issues raised in the exceptions or cross-exceptions.

(4) The cost of the original and all copies of the transcript or electronic recording of the proceedings shall be borne initially by the party seeking review. Should any portion of the transcript or electronic recording be required as a result of a designation filed by the responding party, the party making the designation shall bear the initial cost of the additional transcript or electronic recording.

(h) Prohibition on Magistrate Presiding over Certain Hearings. Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, a general magistrate must not preside over a shelter hearing under section 39.402, Florida Statutes, an adjudicatory hearing under section 39.507, Florida Statutes, or an adjudicatory hearing under section 39.809, Florida Statutes.

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.