FL S0428

Exempts juveniles (children as defined in s. 985.03), dependent children, and young adults in continued care from paying court-related fees, costs, and financial obligations including court costs, attorney fees, supervision fees, and restitution for prosecution costs.

Automatically grants indigent status to juveniles and waives the $50 application fee for public defender appointment, eliminating parental liability for legal representation costs.

Voids all existing unpaid balances and unsatisfied civil judgments for juvenile court fees and costs as of January 1, 2023, and reinstates driver licenses suspended solely for nonpayment of such fees.

Repeals section 985.514 (responsibility for cost of care and fees) and eliminates provisions allowing courts to order parents to pay supervision and detention care fees of $1-$5 per day.

Removes "adjudicated delinquent" language from various statutes to prevent juveniles from being charged with court costs in adult criminal statutes, and allows judges to still order victim restitution and community service as non-monetary conditions.