Juvenile Charges for Domestic Violence in Florida

What happens if a child strikes another person in their family, such as a grandparent, parent, or sibling? The child might be accused of domestic violence battery or a related charge. After being detained, the child might be taken to the juvenile assessment center. The child will appear for first appearance court within 24 hours of arrest. An attorney can represent the child during that first appearance hearing to ensure they are released on the best possible terms.

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent young people in juvenile court throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. Give us a call to discuss the case. Call 813-250-0500.

Special rules apply for juveniles accused of crimes of domestic violence. For example, the Florida Bar’s Juvenile Court Rules Committee filed a report proposing amendments to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.013 (Detention Petition and Order).

The report proposed amending rule 8.013 to include the requirements in section 985.255(2), Florida Statutes (2022), and to improve clarity in accordance with In re Guidelines for Rules Submissions, Florida Administrative Order No. AOSC22-78 (Oct. 24, 2022). The Florida Supreme Court approved the proposed amendments.

The court ordered a new subdivision (e)(6) added to clarify the requirement that pursuant to section 985.255(2), if a child is being detained on an offense that is classified as an act of domestic violence for forty-eight (48) hours as provided by law, the detention order must include specific written findings that respite care for the child is not available and that it is necessary to place the child in secure detention to protect the victim from injury.

Read more about how domestic violence crimes are prosecuted in Tampa, FL.

This article was last updated on Thursday, October 19, 2023.