Amendments to the Rules of Juvenile Procedure (8.330 & 8.525)

The Juvenile Court Rules Committee (“Committee”) of The Florida Bar has submitted an emergency petition to amend Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.330 and 8.525. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. The Committee approved the changes by votes of 18-3-1.1 The proposed changes were published for comments, but none were filed.

The amendments specify that parties may appear at adjudicatory hearings by audio or audiovisual devices in dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings. Compare Amendment to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.100(a), 25 Fla.L. Weekly S516 (Fla. July…