Florida Juvenile Procedure Rule 8.185
RULE 8.185. COMMUNITY ARBITRATION
(a) Referral. A case may be referred to community
arbitration as provided by law. The chief judge of each judicial
circuit shall maintain a list of qualified persons who have agreed to
serve as community arbitrators for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of chapter 985, Florida Statutes.
(b) Arbitrator Qualifications. Each community arbitrator or
member of a community arbitration panel shall be selected
pursuant to law and shall meet the following minimum qualification
and training requirements:
(1) Be at least 18 years of age.
(2) Be a person of the temperament necessary to deal
properly with cases involving children and with the family crises
likely to be presented.
(3) Pass a law enforcement records check and a
Department of Children and Family Services abuse registry
background check, as determined by the written guidelines
developed by the chief judge of the circuit, the senior circuit court
judge assigned to juvenile cases in the circuit, and the state
attorney.
(4) Observe a minimum of 3 community arbitration
hearings conducted by an approved arbitrator in a juvenile case.
(5) Conduct at least 1 juvenile community arbitration
hearing under the personal observation of an approved community
arbitrator.
(6) Successfully complete a training program consisting
of not less than 8 hours of instruction including, but not limited to,
instruction in:
(A) conflict resolution;
(B) juvenile delinquency law;
(C) child psychology; and
(D) availability of community resources.
The chief judge of the circuit, the senior circuit judge assigned to
juvenile cases in the circuit, and the state attorney shall develop
specific written guidelines for the training program and may specify
additional qualifications as necessary.
Committee Notes
1992 Adoption. This rule provides qualification and training
requirements for arbitrators as required by section 985.304(3),
Florida Statutes. It was the committee’s intention to set minimal
qualifications and to allow local programs to determine additional
requirements.
PART III. DEPENDENCY AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL
RIGHTS PROCEEDINGS
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) Referral. A case may be referred to community
arbitration as provided by law. The chief judge of each judicial
circuit shall maintain a list of qualified persons who have agreed to
serve as community arbitrators for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of chapter 985, Florida Statutes.
(b) Arbitrator Qualifications. Each community arbitrator or
member of a community arbitration panel shall be selected
pursuant to law and shall meet the following minimum qualification
and training requirements:
(1) Be at least 18 years of age.
(2) Be a person of the temperament necessary to deal
properly with cases involving children and with the family crises
likely to be presented.
(3) Pass a law enforcement records check and a
Department of Children and Family Services abuse registry
background check, as determined by the written guidelines
developed by the chief judge of the circuit, the senior circuit court
judge assigned to juvenile cases in the circuit, and the state
attorney.
(4) Observe a minimum of 3 community arbitration
hearings conducted by an approved arbitrator in a juvenile case.
(5) Conduct at least 1 juvenile community arbitration
hearing under the personal observation of an approved community
arbitrator.
(6) Successfully complete a training program consisting
of not less than 8 hours of instruction including, but not limited to,
instruction in:
(A) conflict resolution;
(B) juvenile delinquency law;
(C) child psychology; and
(D) availability of community resources.
The chief judge of the circuit, the senior circuit judge assigned to
juvenile cases in the circuit, and the state attorney shall develop
specific written guidelines for the training program and may specify
additional qualifications as necessary.
Committee Notes
1992 Adoption. This rule provides qualification and training
requirements for arbitrators as required by section 985.304(3),
Florida Statutes. It was the committee’s intention to set minimal
qualifications and to allow local programs to determine additional
requirements.
PART III. DEPENDENCY AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL
RIGHTS PROCEEDINGS
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS