DISPOSITION HEARING

(a) Information Available to Court. At the disposition hearing the court, after establishing compliance with the dispositional considerations, determinations, and discussions required by law, may receive any relevant and material evidence helpful in determining the proper disposition to be made. It shall include written reports required by law, and may include, but shall not be limited to, the child’s need for substance abuse evaluation and/or treatment, and any psychiatric or psychological evaluations of the child that may be obtained and that are relevant and material. Such evidence may be received by the court and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative value, even though not competent in an adjudicatory hearing. In any case in which it is necessary or consented to by the parties that disposition be pronounced by a judge other than the judge who presided at the adjudicatory hearing or accepted a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the sentencing judge shall not pronounce disposition until the January 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure Page 92 of 469 judge becomes acquainted with what transpired at the adjudicatory hearing, or the facts concerning the plea and the offense, including any plea discussions if a plea of guilty or nolo contendere was entered. (b) Appointment of Counsel. Counsel shall be appointed at all disposition hearings, including cases transferred from other counties and restitution hearings, if the child qualifies for such appointment and does not waive counsel in writing as required by