Florida legal term
Juvenile in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Juvenile” 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 “Juvenile” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Juvenile” means any person defined as a juvenile in any member state or by the rules of the Interstate Commission, including: (a) Accused delinquent - a person charged with an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense; (b) Adjudicated delinquent - a person found to have committed an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense; (c) Accused status offender - a person charged with an offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult; (d) Adjudicated status offender - a person found to have committed an offense that would not b (Fla. Stat. § 985.802)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Sexting; prohibited acts; penalties
- Battery of facility employee by throwing, tossing, or expelling certain fluids or materials
- Battery on health services personnel
- Contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child; penalty
- DNA database
- Introduction, removal, or possession of certain articles unlawful; penalty
- Jurisdiction
- Juvenile justice training; staff development and training; Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund
- Oaths; records; confidential information
- Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties
- Use of BB guns, air or gas-operated guns, or electric weapons or devices by minor under 16; limitation; possession of firearms by minor under 18 prohibited; penalties
- Willful and malicious neglect of a juvenile offender prohibited; reporting required; penalties
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.