Florida legal term
Legal custody or guardian in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Legal custody or guardian” 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 “Legal custody or guardian” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Legal custody or guardian” means a legal status created by court order or letter of guardianship which vests in a custodian of the person or guardian, whether an agency or an individual, the right to have physical custody of the child and the right and duty to protect, train, and discipline the child and to provide him or her with food, shelter, education, and ordinary medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological care. (Fla. Stat. § 985.03)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.