Juvenile

The Juvenile Department handles all cases heard on behalf of or against a minor who falls under the statutory age limit of 18 years. This can include juveniles who are involved in matters that call for intervention by state agencies that work with children and families.

These proceedings are generally of a confidential nature. Only the juvenile, the legal parent/guardian/custodian, or the attorney of record can receive case information when appearing in person after presenting proper identification.

 Please understand that no information can be given over the phone. If you have questions about a juvenile case, we’d be happy to help you in person in room 2017 on the second floor of the Duval County Courthouse. Please be sure to bring proper identification.

Please note that the Clerk’s Office is barred from offering legal advice by Florida law.

If you’d like to find out whether your child has been arrested, please contact the juvenile assessment center at (904) 798-4706. As this information is confidential, we can’t give out information regarding charges, court dates, or a child’s detention status over the phone.

Case Types

Juvenile cases are broken into several categories:

1. Juvenile-delinquency cases (violations of criminal law):

   Delinquency cases involve minors who have been charged with a crime and they are initiated by the State Attorney’s Office.

2. Juvenile-dependency cases (cases of child abuse, neglect or abandonment):

   Dependency cases involve children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, resulting in a custody issue for the court to resolve. These cases are typically initiated by the Florida Department of Children and Families, though individual citizens may also initiate them.

3. 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):

   Children in Need of Services cases involve children who need intervention to keep them from becoming involved in crime or other harmful circumstances. These cases are typically initiated by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, though the child’s parent or legal guardian may also initiate them .

4. Notice to Appear (Citation for Minors Sexting):

   The minor must appear at the Duval County Clerk’s Office within 10 days of receiving the citation. The Clerk's Office will provide the minor and legal guardian a case number and a written notice directing the legal guardian to contact Teen Court.

5. Emancipation

   Emancipation is the act by which a person gains all the rights and responsibilities of an adult. In legal terms it is known as the removal of the disability of nonage.

Case Information

Juvenile-Delinquency Cases:

When juveniles are detained, they appear before the court within 24 hours to determine if they will be released or remain in detention. After this initial detention hearing, an arraignment is held at which the juvenile will enter a plea to the charges presented. 

If a not guilty plea is entered, and the plea is not later changed at a subsequent hearing, the case goes to a non-jury trial. In this type of trial, the judge determines whether a child is guilty or innocent based on the evidence presented. Please keep in mind that a final judgment, or lien, is placed against the parents (or guardian) of all juveniles that owe court fees.

If a defendant pleads guilty or no contest, the case moves forward to the disposition or sentencing. 

If restitution is levied, payments are collected by the Juvenile Department and forwarded to the victims. A $3.50 fee is charged every time a payment is taken for this service. The court fees are also collected by the Juvenile Department. The Clerk's Office accepts cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, and credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, Discover and American Express). Please understand that the Clerk's Office cannot accept personal checks.

Juvenile-Dependency Cases:

A juvenile-dependency case involves allegations of abuse, abandonment or neglect of a minor child. These cases are often started when someone calls the abuse hotline. When this happens, an investigation is conducted, and if there is probable cause, the case is brought before a judge. A shelter hearing is then held followed by an arraignment. Depending on the plea, either a docket call or disposition takes place. If the parents deny the allegations, then a non-jury trial is held before the judge. 

In these proceedings, the judge makes a decision regarding guilt or innocence. If the court declares the child dependent, the parent(s) enter into a case plan with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This plan is created to assure that the parent(s) comply with regulations or sanctions imposed by the court. DCF ensures that children are safe and free from risk. If the case plan is not followed, the children may be placed in the temporary or permanent custody of the State of Florida.

Court Dates

If you have a court date that you need to reschedule, please contact your attorney. Unfortunately, the Clerk's Office is not authorized to reschedule juvenile court dates.

Restitution

Restitution is the court-ordered payment to an individual, group or entity to compensate for an injury or loss. It is paid by the party found to have been responsible for the loss or injury. In a juvenile-delinquency case, the court can order a minor found guilty of a delinquent act to pay restitution to the victims(s) for their injury or loss.  

Making Restitution Payments

Restitution payments may be made in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check or money order. They may be paid in person or by mail at the address below.

Please make the cashier’s check, certified check or money order payable to the Clerk of Courts. Also, please be sure to:

• Include the juvenile’s complete name and case number
• Indicate that the payment is for "restitution"
• Include a $3.50 clerk’s processing fee for each restitution payment

Again, the Clerk’s Office can accept only a cashier’s check, certified check or money order. We cannot accept personal checks, and please do not send cash.

Getting your Restitution Money

The Clerk’s Office may issue restitution payments to a victim only after receiving payments for that specific victim and as ordered by the court. If a defendant or juvenile does not make payments as ordered by the court, the victim may seek relief. Please contact the Juvenile Department at (904) 255-2000 for more information.

Juvenile Fee Schedule

Current fees for Clerk services can be found by visting the Clerk's fee schedule page at the link below. 

Fee Schedule Page

Office Information

Juvenile Department

Office Hours
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays): 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mailing Address
Duval County Clerk of Courts Attn: Juvenile Department 501 West Adams Street, Room 2017 Jacksonville, FL 32202

Phone
(904) 255-2000