Florida legal term
Child in need of services in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Child in need of services” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Florida criminal code.
What does “Child in need of services” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Child in need of services” means a child for whom there is no pending petition filed with the court alleging the child is delinquent or no current court-ordered supervision by the department for delinquency under chapter 985 or court-ordered supervision by the Department of Children and Families under chapter 39. (Fla. Stat. § 984.03)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.