Opinion ID: 1926977
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Validity of Statutes Relating to Pretrial Detention

Text: Sections 39.03(7)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes, [5] concern the period of time a juvenile may be detained prior to a judicial hearing. These statutory sections require an initial appearance within twenty-four hours and an adjudicatory hearing within fourteen days. Our Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.050(a) and (c) [6] require an initial appearance within forty-eight hours and an adjudicatory hearing within thirty days. The trial judge held the rules must prevail over the statutes pursuant to the Court's constitutional rule-making power, [7] and declared the statutes unconstitutional. This Court, under its rule-making authority, is under the obligation to establish proper procedures for criminal and juvenile proceedings which effectuate and implement constitutional and statutory rights and, to the extent possible, ensure against their violation. We have no authority to adopt rules which are primarily substantive in nature. The time limits prescribed by the juvenile rules in issue were adopted by this Court in order to comply with then-recognized constitutional procedural requirements. [8] Nevertheless, the length of time an individual may spend in confinement is substantive in nature and within the prerogative of the Legislature to the extent it does not violate a constitutional provision. [9] In establishing a statutory twenty-four hour time period within which a juvenile must have a detention hearing, the Legislature has established a statutory right to a detention hearing speedier than that afforded by our rules. The Legislature also adopted a shorter time period within which a juvenile must be adjudicated as a dependent or delinquent child, to which the same principle applies. Although the Legislature may shorten the detention time period, it cannot lengthen the period because of Sixth Amendment constitutional infirmities. A twenty-four hour statutory time frame may cause some juvenile courts administrative problems, but adult criminal courts have complied with the twenty-four hour first appearance rule for more than two years. The twenty-four hour period for adult criminal causes was adopted to avoid federal constitutional problems. [10] In conclusion, we hold: 1. Sections 39.03(5)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes, are constitutional. The factors pertaining to the place of detention are directory and must be read together with the applicable juvenile rules. The trial judge has the discretion to determine the place of detention. 2. Sections 39.03(7)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes, concerning the earlier time for detention and adjudication hearings, are constitutional and prevail over Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.050, which should be amended to conform with the statute. The decision of the circuit court is reversed in accordance with the views expressed in this opinion. It is so ordered. ADKINS, C.J., BOYD and ENGLAND, JJ., and KLEIN, Circuit Court Judge, concur. ROBERTS, J., dissents.