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Courts - Juvenile

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1. What is juvenile delinquency?

Juvenile delinquency involves anyone under the age of 18 that has been charged with a crime.

2. What is the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC)?

The JAC is a centralized processing, referral and evaluation center in Ocala, Florida (Marion County) for all juveniles arrested in Citrus County. At this facility, representatives from law enforcement and social service agencies, work together to provide services for the juvenile after his/her arrest.

3. How do I find out about my child's charges?

Information regarding juveniles is confidential and cannot be discussed over the telephone. With proper identification, parties authorized to have access to the court file, i.e., parents, legal guardian, child and his/her attorney, can visit the Clerk's Office located at:
Citrus County Courthouse
110 N Apopka Avenue
Inverness, Fl 34450

4. If I have a juvenile record, how can I receive a copy?

With proper identification, the Juvenile Division of the Citrus County Clerk's Office, 110 N Apopka Avenue, Inverness, Florida can perform a record search for a fee. You may also purchase photocopies for a fee.

5. What is a dependent child?

Under Florida Statutes, chapter 39, a dependent child is one who has been found by a court to:
- Have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by the child's parent or parents or legal custodians
- Have been surrendered to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or a licensed child-placing agency for purpose of adoption
- Have been voluntarily placed with a licensed child-caring agency, a licensed child-placing agency, an adult relative, or DCFS, after which placement a case plan has expired and the parents or legal custodians have failed to comply with the requirements of the plan
- Have been voluntarily placed with a licensed child-caring agency for the purposes of subsequent adoption, and the parents have signed a consent pursuant to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure
- Have no parent or legal custodians capable of providing supervision and care
- Be at substantial risk of imminent abuse, abandonment, or neglect by the parents or legal custodians

6. If my child has been removed from my care, who do I contact?

You may contact the Department of Children and Families at 352-860-5000.

7. If my child has been removed from my care, when will I go to court?

The Department of Children and Families will notify you of the initial court date. You will be summoned and served by the Citrus County Sheriff's office of your court date.

8. What is a child in need of services?

Under Florida Statutes, chapter 984, a "family in need of services" means a family that has a child who is:
- Running away
- Persistently disobeying reasonable and lawful demands of the parent or legal custodian and is beyond the control of the parent or legal custodian
- Habitually truant from school or engaging in other serious behaviors that place the child at risk of future abuse, neglect, or abandonment or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system


A family is not eligible to receive services if, at the the time of the referral, there is an open investigation into an allegation of abuse, neglect, or abandonment or if the child is currently under supervision by DJJ or DCFS due to an adjudication of dependency or delinquency.

9. Where can I go to get guardianship of a child who is in my care and has no court intervention involving abandonment or abuse?

Information may be obtained by contacting the Probate Division of the Citrus County Clerk's Office at 352-341-6424.

10. What are the Laws about Juveniles and Tobacco?

If you are under the age of 18, it is against the law to do the following:
- Possess tobacco (F.S. 569.11)
- Possess Nicotine products or Nicotine dispensing devices (F.S. 877.112 (6))
- Misrepresent age for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase any nicotine product or nicotine dispensing device (F.S. 877.112 (7))
- Smoking near school property (F.S. 386.212)

11. What is required to satisfy a juvenile smoking citation written under statute 569.11 or 877.112 (6)?

It is required that:

• For a first violation, pay $25 civil penalty or perform 16 hours of community service. In addition, the juvenile must attend a school-approved anti-tobacco and nicotine program, if locally available. Proof of program must be turned into our office within 30 days of the date of the citation.
• For a second violation within 12 weeks of the first violation, pay a $25 civil penalty
• For a third or subsequent violation within 12 weeks of the first violation, the court must direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of or suspend or revoke the juvenile's driver license or driving privilege for 60 days, as provided in

s. 322.056.

12. What is required to satisfy a juvenile smoking citation written under statute 386.212?

Pay $25 civil penalty or attend a tobacco education courts or perform 50 community service hours.

13. How do I pay for my citation?

Payments must be made in full within 30 days of the date of the citation. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order or credit card at the Citrus County Clerk of Court's office. If mailing, please include your name and case number to ensure proper credit to your case, and send to:
Angela Vick, Clerk of Court and Comptroller
110 N Apopka Avenue
Inverness, FL 34450

You may also pay by phone with a debit or credit card by calling 352-341-6424. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express are accepted. A service fee will be applied by the credit card vendor. Payment plans are not available unless ordered by the court.

14. Where can I go to do Community Service?

Community Service can be done at a non-profit agency of your choice.

Proof of community service must be turned into our office within 30 days of the date of the citation.

15. If I do community service, is there a form that I need to submit as proof?

The Clerk's Office will accept proof of community service that is submitted on approved non-profit agency letterhead with the agency's address and phone number. The letterhead must list the dates and hours of work performed, and must be signed (initials are not acceptable) by an authorized individual of the non-profit organization.

16. Where can I take the Tobacco Education Course?

Information regarding the tobacco education course can be obtained by contacting the Citrus County Health Department:

The Citrus County Health Department Tobacco Prevention Program

3700 W Sovereign Path

Lecanto, FL 34461

Phone: 352-513-6083

17. Who is responsible for submitting the certificate when the tobacco education course is completed?

Although the Health Department will send a copy of your certificate to the Clerk's office, the responsibility ultimately falls upon the defendant to be sure that the certificate is received in a timely manner.

18. How do I contest my citation?

The juvenile cited must submit a written request to the Clerk of Court regarding your intent to contest the violation within thirty (30) days of the date of the violation. You will then be notified of a date and time to appear in County Court.

19. What laws govern the Juvenile Courts?

The Legal Regulations that govern Juvenile Courts are:
- Chapter 39 for Juvenile Dependency Cases (termination of parental rights)
- Chapter 390 for Parental Notice of Abortion Act
- Chapter 984 for Children In Need of Services / Families In Need of Services
- Chapter 985 for Juvenile Delinquency Cases

Find the Chapters on the
Florida State Statutes website.

20. How can I report what I think is a child abuse, neglect, or abandonment situation?

You should call the Abuse Hotline for the State of Florida at 800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) to report the situation. Your call will remain anonymous.

21. What are some examples of juvenile delinquency charges?

Charges could be (but are not limited to):
- Aggravated Assault/Battery
- Alcohol/Substance Abuse, Drug/Marijuana Possession
- Disorderly Conduct/Criminal Mischief
- Theft, Burglary

22. What cases are handled by the Juvenile Court?

Cases pertaining to children 18 years old or younger for matters involving:
- Cases involving termination of pregnancy of a minor (Parental Notice of Abortion Act)
- Children In Need of Services / Families In Need of Services (for the protection and care of children, the promotion of stability in families, and provision of needed services)
- Delinquency (Violations of the criminal law)
- Dependency (Child abuse, neglect or abandonment)