HomeMy WebLinkAboutI.G. Project NarrativeProject Narrative
The Juvenile Division of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida performs a vital role in the
welfare of the children with a mandate to seek legal and social solutions.
A new facility is needed in order to replace the existing inefficient and outdated building. The
Courthouse will accommodate the evolving divisions of Dependency and Delinquency, and
through innovative planning and design, incorporate the mandated implementation of a Unified
Family Court for the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
In 1994, the Florida Supreme Court directed the Family Court Steering Committee (FCSC) to
prepare recommendations, on the characteristics of a model family court. Rising from this
development was the concept of "Unified Family Court" (UFC). Administrative Order 01-16,
which delineates general guidelines for handling "cross-over" cases in the Family, Juvenile and
Domestic Violence Divisions of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, was signed in October
2001.
To address this direction, the County is proposing the Miami -Dade County Children's
Courthouse Project. The building will be fourteen stories in height, amass approximately
375,000 square feet, and contain 18 courtrooms with complimentary staff from the
Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), State Attorney's Office (SA), Public Defender (PD),
Guardian At Litem (GAL), Cleric of the Courts (COC), Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ),
Police Department (MDPD), Department of Children and Families (DCF), Public Schools
(MDPS), Our Kids, Foster Care Review, Drug Testing, and Court Care (YWCA).
A "collegiate" type of architectural design, has been implemented, to house all judges and
magistrates on the top floors and the courtrooms on separate floors. Parking on the site will be
minimal and will be principally for the judiciary, with additional parking for the Police
Department (MDPD) and the County Transit Department (MDTD).