# Fla. Stat. § 985.035: 985.035 Opening hearings

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.035

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 985.035
- **Heading:** 985.035 Opening hearings
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XLVII / Chapter 985 / Part I / Section 985.035

## Text

(1) All hearings, except as provided in this section, must be open to the public, and no person may be excluded except on special order of the court. The court, in its discretion, may close any hearing to the public when the public interest and the welfare of the child are best served by so doing. Hearings involving more than one child may be held simultaneously when the children were involved in the same transactions.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), nothing in this section shall prohibit the publication of proceedings in a hearing.

History: s. 13, ch. 97-238; s. 8, ch. 2006-120.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 985.01 985.01 Purposes and intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.01.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.02 985.02 Legislative intent for the juvenile justice system.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.02.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.03 985.03 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.03.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.031 985.031 Age limitation; exception.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.031.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.032 985.032 Legal representation for delinquency cases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.032.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.033 985.033 Right to counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.033.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.035 985.035 Opening hearings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.035.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.036 985.036 Rights of victims; juvenile proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.036.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.037 985.037 Punishment for contempt of court; alternative sanctions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.037.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.039 985.039 Cost of supervision; cost of care.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.039.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 985.0301 985.0301 Jurisdiction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.0301.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXLVII_C985_PI_S985.035. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.