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Florida Statute 39.809 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
F.S. 39.809 Case Law from Google Scholar
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The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C)

Title V
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Chapter 39
PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO CHILDREN
View Entire Chapter
F.S. 39.809
39.809 Adjudicatory hearing.
(1) In a hearing on a petition for termination of parental rights, the court shall consider the elements required for termination. Each of these elements must be established by clear and convincing evidence before the petition is granted.
(2) The adjudicatory hearing must be held within 45 days after the advisory hearing, but reasonable continuances for the purpose of investigation, discovery, or procuring counsel or witnesses may, when necessary, be granted.
(3) The adjudicatory hearing must be conducted by the judge without a jury, applying the rules of evidence in use in civil cases and adjourning the case from time to time as necessary. For purposes of the adjudicatory hearing, to avoid unnecessary duplication of expense, the judge may consider in-court testimony previously given at any properly noticed hearing, without regard to the availability or unavailability of the witness at the time of the actual adjudicatory hearing, if the recorded testimony itself is made available to the judge. Consideration of such testimony does not preclude the witness being subpoenaed to answer supplemental questions.
(4) All hearings involving termination of parental rights are confidential and closed to the public. Hearings involving more than one child may be held simultaneously when the children involved are related to each other or were involved in the same case. The child and the parents may be examined separately and apart from each other.
(5) The judge shall enter a written order with the findings of fact and conclusions of law.
History.s. 9, ch. 87-289; s. 19, ch. 90-306; ss. 8, 10, ch. 92-158; s. 38, ch. 94-164; s. 91, ch. 98-403.
Note.Former s. 39.467.

F.S. 39.809 on Google Scholar

F.S. 39.809 on Casetext

Amendments to 39.809


Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 39.809
Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 39.809.



Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases from cite.case.law:

A. D. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN FAMILIES Ad, 273 So. 3d 1016 (Fla. App. Ct. 2019)

. . . See § 39.809(5), Fla. Stat. (2000) ][.]" C.C. v. . . .

R. D. S. T. D. S. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 263 So. 3d 183 (Fla. App. Ct. 2018)

. . . Hospital Counsel's Attendance at Trial Section 39.809(4), Florida Statutes (2018), includes this clear . . .

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Ad o b o P. R. v. A. R. R. L., 253 So. 3d 1158 (Fla. App. Ct. 2018)

. . . See § 39.809(5), Fla. . . .

IN INTEREST OF X. W. a Ad v. C. W., 255 So. 3d 882 (Fla. App. Ct. 2018)

. . . The case proceeded to an adjudicatory hearing, see § 39.809, at which the evidence established the following . . . 39.806 and that termination would be in the child's manifest best interests under section 39.810. § 39.809 . . . Adjudicatory hearings in termination cases are governed by the "rules of evidence in use in civil cases." § 39.809 . . .

A. M. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Ad, 223 So. 3d 312 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2017)

. . . See §§ 39.807, 39.809, Fla. Stat. (2015). Finally, we must consider the government’s interest. . . .

S. D. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 208 So. 3d 320 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2017)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2016). . . .

W. L. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 172 So. 3d 562 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2015)

. . . With respect to orders terminating parental rights, section 39.809(5), Florida Statutes (2013), requires . . . remand this case to the trial court so that it may enter a final judgment which complies with section 39.809 . . .

J. B. v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 170 So. 3d 780 (Fla. 2015)

. . . 39.521 (disposition); 39.621 (permanency); 39.701(judicial review); 39.808 (advisory and pretrial); 39.809 . . .

S. B. A. R. B. H. M. B. A. N. B. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 132 So. 3d 1243 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2014)

. . . . § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2013). . . .

G. O. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 100 So. 3d 232 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2012)

. . . Section 39.809(3) also states, in pertinent part, “[t]he adjudicatory hearing must be conducted by the . . . Stat. § 39.809(3) (2011). . . .

In Z. C. Z. C. Ad v. K. D. Z. H., 88 So. 3d 977 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2012)

. . . . §§ 39.802(4), 39.809(1). . . .

In S. V. B. a K. G. v. Ad, 93 So. 3d 340 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2012)

. . . Section 39.809(1) requires DCF to prove each element necessary to terminate parental rights by clear . . .

K. R. L. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN FAMILY SERVICES, Ad, 83 So. 3d 936 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2012)

. . . See § 39.809(5), Fla. . . .

A. T. N. D. P. E. B. v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 70 So. 3d 634 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2011)

. . . adjudicatory hearing under section 39.507, Florida Statutes, or an adjudicatory hearing under section 39.809 . . .

N. S. D. R. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Ad, 36 So. 3d 776 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2010)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2009); N.L. v. . . .

W. S. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 31 So. 3d 329 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2010)

. . . While he acknowledges that section 39.809, Florida Statutes provides for an adjudicatory hearing without . . .

J. S. L. A. a v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Ad v. B. A. L. A. a, 18 So. 3d 1170 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2009)

. . . See also § 39.809(4), Fla. . . .

In Z. L. a F. B. v. Ad, 4 So. 3d 684 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2009)

. . . rights failed to address statutory factors concerning manifest best interests of child); see also § 39.809 . . . The Department is required to prove its case with clear and convincing evidence, § 39.809(1), because . . .

Z. M. K. H. K. H. Z. H. v. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 981 So. 2d 1267 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2008)

. . . . § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2006). See also N.L. v. . . .

T. S. In D. H. a v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 969 So. 2d 494 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2007)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2006). . . .

A. W. In B. W. a v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 969 So. 2d 496 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2007)

. . . .” § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2006). . . . Following a full adjudicatory hearing under section 39.809, Florida Statutes (2006), where Appellant . . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2006); Padgett v. . . .

T. O. O. H. a v. L. S., 954 So. 2d 737 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2007)

. . . See § 39.809(5), Fla. . . .

R. P. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 975 So. 2d 435 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2007)

. . . Section 39.809(1), Florida Statutes (2005), requires the Department of Children and Family Services to . . .

In AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE THREE YEAR CYCLE, 939 So. 2d 74 (Fla. 2006)

. . . hearings under section 39.402, Florida Statutes (2005), and adjudicatory hearings under sections 39.507 or 39.809 . . . adjudicatory hearing under section 39.507, Florida Statutes, or an adjudicatory hearing under section 39.809 . . . Section 39.809 governs adjudicatory hearings conducted to determine whether a parent's parental rights . . .

W. R. E. R. R. R. A. R. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 928 So. 2d 414 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2006)

. . . . § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2004). . . .

J. I. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 922 So. 2d 405 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2006)

. . . See §§ 39.0132(4) and 39.809(4), Fla. Stat. . . . decision-making authority at the staffing meeting as contemplated by the Sunshine Law, sections 39.0132(4) and 39.809 . . . Section 39.809(4), which applies to adjudicatory hearings in termination of parental rights cases, provides . . .

In M. R. a v. D. R., 910 So. 2d 355 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2005)

. . . Section 39.809(5) requires the trial court to enter a written order containing findings of fact and conclusions . . .

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, v. J. H. L. H. J. H. A, 907 So. 2d 1275 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2005)

. . . See § 39.809(5), Fla. Stat. (2004). . . .

C. C. D. J. J. J. JR. T. H. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 886 So. 2d 244 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2004)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2003). . . .

B. C. v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 887 So. 2d 1046 (Fla. 2004)

. . . See § 39.809(1) (“In a hearing on a petition for termination of parental rights, the court shall consider . . .

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, v. F. L., 880 So. 2d 602 (Fla. 2004)

. . . . § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2002); § 39.811(2), Fla. Stat. (2002). . . . See §§ 39.802(4)(c), 39.809(1), 39.810, Fla. Stat. (2002). . . . . See §§ 39.802(4)(c), 39.809(1), 39.810, Fla. Stat. (2002). . . .

In D. D. R. D. Q. H. T. S. M. W. M. D. v., 879 So. 2d 10 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2004)

. . . Dep’t of Children & Families (In re K.M.), 788 So.2d 306 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001); see also § 39.809(1) (requiring . . .

J. B. P. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 868 So. 2d 1289 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2004)

. . . The final order of termination is therefore not in compliance with section 39.809(5), Florida Statutes . . . As such, this court could vacate the order and direct the trial court to comply with section 39.809(5 . . .

In L. B. W. a V. W. v., 863 So. 2d 480 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2004)

. . . Section 39.809(1) provides that “[ejach of [the elements required for termination] must be established . . .

GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM, v. In K. D. R. A., 864 So. 2d 1213 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2004)

. . . note that at the new adjudicatory hearing, the party that adopted the petition may rely on section 39.809 . . .

E. A. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 855 So. 2d 719 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . . § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2002); Myles v. . . .

C. B. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 848 So. 2d 1185 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2002). . . .

N. L. S. W. a v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 843 So. 2d 996 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2000). . . .

P. O. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 840 So. 2d 360 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . . §§ 39.809(1), 39.810, 39.811, Fla. Stat. (2001). . . .

L. B. A. M. S. B. C. B. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 835 So. 2d 1189 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . . § 39.809(1), Fla. . . .

AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE, 827 So. 2d 219 (Fla. 2002)

. . . See §§ 39.507 (dependency adjudicatory hearings), 39.809 (termination of parental rights adjudicatory . . .

In D. N. O. a Ad v. L. McC., 820 So. 2d 1064 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . . § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (2000); In re S.S., 723 So.2d 344, 346-47 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998). . . .

T. C. B. v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 816 So. 2d 194 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . not established by clear and convincing evidence in an adjudicatory hearing, as required by section 39.809 . . . Stat. (2000); § 39.809(1), (3), Fla. . . .

C. W. K. L. B. Jr. a v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 814 So. 2d 488 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. . . .

C. C. A. C. a v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 812 So. 2d 520 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . See § 39.809(5), Fla. . . .

L. O. v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 807 So. 2d 810 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . . §§ 39.01(4), 39.809, Fla. Stat. (Supp.1998); Fla. R. Juv. P. 8.525. . . . . § 39.809(1). . . . . § 39.809(2),(3). . . . judge must then enter a written order (“initial order”) with findings of fact and conclusions of law. § 39.809 . . .

In F. M. B. J. J. B. J. I. B. R. D. B. v., 803 So. 2d 833 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2001)

. . . required for termination were not established by clear and convincing evidence as required by section 39.809 . . .

In F. M. H. B. J. J. B. J. I. B. P. G. B. v., 803 So. 2d 837 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2001)

. . . required for termination were not established by clear and convincing evidence'as required by section 39.809 . . .

K. C. C. M. a v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 800 So. 2d 676 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2001)

. . . Renumbered as section 39.809(3), Florida Statutes (2000). . . .

In K. M. A. M. T. M. v., 788 So. 2d 306 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2001)

. . . See §§ 39.802(4), 39.809(1), 39.810, Fla. Stat. (1999). . . .

P. J. B. H. J. H. A. H. J. H. B. J. v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN FAMILIES,, 783 So. 2d 1148 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2001)

. . . Section 39.809(5) of the Florida Statutes (1999) requires trial courts to enter written termination orders . . . See § 39.809(5), Fla.Stat. (1999); J.R. v. . . .

NATURAL PARENTS OF J. B. v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES,, 780 So. 2d 6 (Fla. 2001)

. . . Fourth District Court of Appeal to be of great public importance: IS SECTION 39.467(4), NOW SECTION 39.809 . . . expressed in this opinion, we conclude that section 39.467(4), Florida Statutes (1997), now section 39.809 . . . Approving the Fourth District and upholding the constitutionality of section 39.809(4) complies with . . . Section 39.467(4), now section 39.809(4), Florida Statutes (2000), requiring mandatory closure of all . . . See § 39.809(4), Fla. Stat. (2000). . . . . However, section 39.809(4), Fla. Stat. . . .

J. R. As T. R. a v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,, 773 So. 2d 661 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2000)

. . . Section 39.809(5), Florida Statutes (1999) requires a trial court to enter a written order with findings . . . We must vacate the order and direct the trial court on remand to comply with section 39.809(5). . . .

In D. J. W. a M. J. S. v., 764 So. 2d 825 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2000)

. . . See § 39.809(1), Fla. Stat. (1999). However, M.J.S.' . . .

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, v. K. D. P. D. T. D., 745 So. 2d 590 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1999)

. . . The Department appeals claiming that the court failed to comply with the requirements of section 39.809 . . .

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, STATE OF FLORIDA, v. NATURAL PARENTS OF J. B., 736 So. 2d 111 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1999)

. . . hereby certify the following question of constitutionality to the supreme court: “Is § 39.467(4), now § 39.809 . . . See now § 39.809(4), Fla. Stat. (Supp.1998). . See U.S. Const., amend. . . .