8.625 General Provisions for Hearings

(a) Presence of Counsel. The Department of Children and Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice must be represented by an attorney at every stage of these proceedings when such department is a party.

(b) Presence of Child. The child shall be present unless the child’s presence is waived. If the child is present at the beginning of a hearing and during the progress of the hearing voluntarily absents himself or herself from the presence of the court without leave of the court, or is removed from the presence of the court because of disruptive conduct during the hearing, the hearing shall not be postponed or delayed, but shall proceed in all respects as if the child were present in court at all times.

(c) In camera Proceedings. The child may be examined by the court outside the presence of other parties under circumstances as provided by law. The court shall assure that the proceedings are recorded unless otherwise stipulated by the parties.

(d) Invoking the Rule. Before the examination of any witness the court may, and on the request of any party shall, exclude all other witnesses. The court may cause witnesses to be kept separate and to be prevented from communicating with each other until all are examined.

(e) Continuances. The court may grant a continuance before or during a hearing for good cause shown by any party.

(f) Record. A record of the testimony in all hearings shall be made by an official court reporter, a court-approved stenographer, or a recording device. The records of testimony shall be preserved as required by law. Official records of testimony shall be transcribed only on order of the court.

(g) Notice. Where these rules do not require a specific notice, all parties will be given reasonable notice of any hearing.

(h) Magistrates. Pursuant to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, both general and special magistrates may be appointed to hear issues involved in proceedings under this part.