Department of Children & Families v. K.H.
Department of Children & Families v. K.H.
937 So. 2d 807; 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 15239; 2006 WL 2632101
(Southern Reporter, Second Series)
Department of Children & Families v. K.H.
Opinion of the Court
In this dependency action, Appellant challenges the lower court’s summary dismissal of the petition prior to the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing. We reverse.
During an adjudicatory hearing on Appellant’s petition for dependency, the trial court, sua sponte, summarily dismissed the petition after Appellant’s first witness had testified but before Appellant had concluded presenting evidence in support of the petition. In so doing, the lower court violated Appellant’s right to due process. Therefore, the order is reversed and this matter is remanded with instructions that the court conduct a new hearing on Appellant’s petition.
REVERSED and REMANDED.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.