Determination of Indigence – Juvenile Delinquency in Florida

A Jacksonville, Florida, resident and attorney with a background in product liability, personal injury, and wrongful death cases, Judge Michael Kalil earned his JD from the Stetson College of Law in Florida. Since joining the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Florida as a circuit court judge, Michael Kalil has presided over the Delinquency Court and Dependency Court.

In the case of juvenile delinquency, Florida does not automatically assume a child is indigent. While the law requires that all delinquent juveniles have access to counsel and be represented by an attorney, the state will pay for a public defender only if the child’s parent or guardian is facing significant hardship or has an income of less than or equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. If this is the case, the parent or guardian will be a candidate for indigent defense and will only need to pay an application fee to the clerk. If the application is approved, the minor will be assigned an attorney by the court.

If the parents or guardians are not indigent, they must provide legal services for the youth without the state’s assistance. If they fail to do so, the court will appoint an attorney on behalf of the minor, and the parents/guardians will be liable for all associated fees. The government will impose the debt in the form of a lien against the properties of the parents or guardians.

Jacksonville Bar Association Mission and Services

As an assistant public defender in the Office of the Public Defender of Jacksonville, Florida, Judge Michael Kalil tried 29 trials before joining the Law Offices of John Kalil, P.A., where he worked as a civil trial attorney. An alumnus of the University of North Florida, Judge Michael Kalil is a member of College Leadership Florida (class VI), a part of Leadership Florida. He is also a Jacksonville Bar Association member.

Organized in 1897, the Jacksonville Bar Association has the mission of serving members in the practice of law, fostering respect for the legal profession, and aiding in the administration of justice. Membership is all-inclusive and promotes regular participation in association activities.

The Jacksonville Bar Association serves as the forum for the legal profession and explores innovative ways to better serve members and the public. For example, the association’s lawyer referral service can refer a person needing legal advice to a lawyer for a 30-minute consultation. After the consultation, the person may choose to retain that lawyer if they decide that they need further services at a mutually agreed upon fee.

The Delinquency Court Process in Florida

A circuit court judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville, Florida, Michael Kalil has a JD from Stetson College of Law. While an undergraduate, he was awarded the Stetson College of Law Certificate in Leadership Development. The attorney was also awarded the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award for over 200 hours of community service. Judge Michael Kalil is a circuit court judge presiding over the dependency court and the delinquency court.

When a youth is charged with breaking the law or taken into custody for a delinquent act, they may be handed a civil citation if the offense is a first-time misdemeanor. However, if the youth admits to the alleged violation of law, the delinquency court might move directly to a disposition hearing.

A judge will preside over those cases throughout the matter without a jury. The judge determines the type of sanctions to be imposed on the youth, which may include home detention, restitution, probation, community service, or commitment.

Rather than being found guilty of crimes, juveniles are adjudicated delinquent. If the acts involve serious crimes or felonies, they are not committed to prison but sent to a reformatory or training school. The federal government retains some jurisdiction over a number of crimes committed by juveniles, such as those occurring in national parks.