The Florida Senate

984.21  Orders of adjudication.--

(1)  If the court finds that the child named in a petition is not a child in need of services, it shall enter an order so finding and dismissing the case.

(2)  If the court finds that the child named in the petition is a child in need of services, but finds that no action other than supervision in the home is required, it may enter an order briefly stating the facts upon which its finding is based, but withholding an order of adjudication and placing the child and family under the supervision of the department. If the court later finds that the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child have not complied with the conditions of supervision imposed, the court may, after a hearing to establish the noncompliance, but without further evidence of the state of the child in need of services, enter an order of adjudication and shall thereafter have full authority under this chapter to provide for the child as adjudicated.

(3)  If the court finds that the child named in a petition is a child in need of services, but elects not to proceed under subsection (2), it shall incorporate that finding in an order of adjudication entered in the case, briefly stating the facts upon which the finding is made, and the court shall thereafter have full authority under this chapter to provide for the child as adjudicated.

(4)  An order of adjudication by a court that a child is a child in need of services shall not be deemed a conviction, nor shall the child be deemed to have been found guilty or to be a criminal by reason of that adjudication, nor shall that adjudication operate to impose upon the child any of the civil disabilities ordinarily imposed by or resulting from conviction or disqualify or prejudice the child in any civil service application or appointment.

History.--s. 8, ch. 87-133; s. 239, ch. 95-147; s. 107, ch. 97-238; s. 72, ch. 98-280.

Note.--Former s. 39.441.