Case Name: Gary BAILEY and Mary Bailey, Appellants, v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1998-01-02
Citations: 703 So. 2d 1224
Docket Number: Nos. 96-3562, 96-3563
Parties: Gary BAILEY and Mary Bailey, Appellants, v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Appellee.
Judges: THOMPSON, J., concurs.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 703
Pages: 1224–1226

Head Matter:
Gary BAILEY and Mary Bailey, Appellants, v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Appellee.
Nos. 96-3562, 96-3563.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
Jan. 2, 1998.
Garrick N. Fox, Orlando, for Appellant Gary Bailey.
Norberto S. Katz, Orlando, for Appellant Mary Bailey.
Allen J. Joseph, Orlando, for Appellee.

Opinion:
DAUKSCH, Judge.
This is an appeal of orders denying a motion to withdraw consent to a dependency proceeding and granting a motion for psychological evaluation. Appellants argue that they did not have a full understanding of the nature of the allegations and possible consequences of giving consent. See Fla.R.Juv.P. 8.520(c). A review of the record indicates that this contention is without merit as the trial judge accepted the consent pleas only after carefully questioning appellants, ensuring that they understood the consequences of their consent and their, right to consult with their attorney.
There is precedent under an earlier version of chapter 39 indicating that a parent has an "unfettered" right to withdraw an out-of-court consent to a dependency proceeding prior to an adjudication. In Interest of 497 So.2d 1265 (Fla. 5th DCA 1986), rev. den., 504 So.2d 766 (Fla.1987). However, this standard does not apply to a consent that is accepted by the court pursuant to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.520(c). Section 39.464(1), Florida Statutes (1995) makes clear that once a juvenile court has accepted the consent and announced its ruling in open court, the proceeding becomes a voluntary relinquishment where consent can only be withdrawn if it was obtained by fraud or duress. See In Interest of J.R.G., 624 So.2d 273 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993). Since appellants have not demonstrated fraud or duress, their consent can not be withdrawn. § 39.464(1), Fla. Stat. (1995).
The trial court did err by ordering appellants to submit to psychological evaluations without good cause shown. Both Section 39.407(13), Florida Statutes (1995) and Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.250(b) require a showing of good cause before one can be ordered to submit to a mental or physical examination. Since no good cause was shown, the failure to comply with the appropriate rule of juvenile procedure warrants that the case be remanded for further proceedings on the issue. J.T.M. v. State, 530 So.2d 1074 (Fla. 1st DCA 1988).
AFFIRMED in part; REVERSED in part; REMANDED.
THOMPSON, J., concurs.
W. SHARP, J., dissents in part; concurs in part with opinion.