Florida Juvenile Procedure Rule 8.625
RULE 8.625. GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR HEARINGS
(a) Presence of Counsel. The Department of Children and
Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice must be
represented by an attorney at every stage of these proceedings when
such department is a party.
(b) Presence of Child. The child shall be present unless the
child’s presence is waived. If the child is present at the beginning of
a hearing and during the progress of the hearing voluntarily
absents himself or herself from the presence of the court without
leave of the court, or is removed from the presence of the court
because of disruptive conduct during the hearing, the hearing shall
not be postponed or delayed, but shall proceed in all respects as if
the child were present in court at all times.
(c) In Camera Proceedings. The child may be examined by
the court outside the presence of other parties under circumstances
as provided by law. The court shall assure that the proceedings are
recorded unless otherwise stipulated by the parties.
(d) Invoking the Rule. Before the examination of any
witness the court may, and on the request of any party shall,
exclude all other witnesses. The court may cause witnesses to be
kept separate and to be prevented from communicating with each
other until all are examined.
(e) Continuances. The court may grant a continuance
before or during a hearing for good cause shown by any party.
(f) Record. A record of the testimony in all hearings shall be
made by an official court reporter, a court-approved stenographer,
or a recording device. The records of testimony shall be preserved
as required by law. Official records of testimony shall be transcribed
only on order of the court.
(g) Notice. Where these rules do not require a specific
notice, all parties will be given reasonable notice of any hearing.
(h) Magistrates. Pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil
Procedure, both general and special magistrates may be appointed
to hear issues involved in proceedings under this part.
(a) Presence of Counsel. The Department of Children and
Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice must be
represented by an attorney at every stage of these proceedings when
such department is a party.
(b) Presence of Child. The child shall be present unless the
child’s presence is waived. If the child is present at the beginning of
a hearing and during the progress of the hearing voluntarily
absents himself or herself from the presence of the court without
leave of the court, or is removed from the presence of the court
because of disruptive conduct during the hearing, the hearing shall
not be postponed or delayed, but shall proceed in all respects as if
the child were present in court at all times.
(c) In Camera Proceedings. The child may be examined by
the court outside the presence of other parties under circumstances
as provided by law. The court shall assure that the proceedings are
recorded unless otherwise stipulated by the parties.
(d) Invoking the Rule. Before the examination of any
witness the court may, and on the request of any party shall,
exclude all other witnesses. The court may cause witnesses to be
kept separate and to be prevented from communicating with each
other until all are examined.
(e) Continuances. The court may grant a continuance
before or during a hearing for good cause shown by any party.
(f) Record. A record of the testimony in all hearings shall be
made by an official court reporter, a court-approved stenographer,
or a recording device. The records of testimony shall be preserved
as required by law. Official records of testimony shall be transcribed
only on order of the court.
(g) Notice. Where these rules do not require a specific
notice, all parties will be given reasonable notice of any hearing.
(h) Magistrates. Pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil
Procedure, both general and special magistrates may be appointed
to hear issues involved in proceedings under this part.