B.P. v. State

B.P. appeals a detention order based on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest without violence.

On appeal, B.P. contends that the trial court committed reversible error when it failed to offer him the assistance of counsel at either his plea and disposition hearing or obtain a waiver as required by Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.165. The State concedes that the trial court failed to follow the dictates of Rule 8.165 and that this court has held that the failure to strictly comply with the rule constitutes fundamental error requiring reversal. E.C.H. v. State, 751…