J.G., THE FATHER v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
CourtDistrict Court of Appeal of Florida
Date FiledMarch 4, 2020
Docket3D19-2206
StatusPublished
📰 News Coverage: Read the LAWS.com news report on this case
Full Opinion
Third District Court of Appeal
State of Florida
Opinion filed March 4, 2020.
Not final until disposition of timely filed motion for rehearing.
________________
No. 3D19-2206
Lower Tribunal No. 18-15316
________________
J.G., the father,
Petitioner,
vs.
Florida Department of Children and Families, et al.,
Respondents.
On Petition for Writ of Certiorari from the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade
County, Laura Anne Stuzin, Judge.
Law Office of Brandon A. Rotbart, P.A., and Brandon A. Rotbart, for
petitioner.
Karla Perkins, for respondent Department of Children & Families; Thomasina
F. Moore and Laura J. Lee (Tallahassee), for respondent Guardian ad Litem
Program.
Before SALTER, HENDON, and LOBREE, JJ.
HENDON, J.
The Father, J.G., seeks certiorari review of the trial court’s non-final order
modifying R.G.’s placement from the custody of his paternal aunt into foster care.1
See § 39.522, Fla. Stat. (2019). The trial court found that it was in R.G.’s best
interests to remove him from the custody of the paternal aunt as a result of the aunt’s
failure to disclose relevant information that ultimately resulted in a negative home
study. This permitted the court’s removal of R.G. from that environment. See §
39.521(2)(o), Fla. Stat. (2019). The Father had been previously deported, did not
have custody, and does not now seek custody.
Certiorari is an extraordinary remedy that “never was intended to redress mere
legal error.” Broward Cty. v. G.B.V., Int’l, Ltd., 787 So. 2d 838, 842 (Fla. 2001).
To grant certiorari relief, a party must demonstrate: (1) a material injury in the
proceedings that cannot be corrected on appeal (sometimes referred to as irreparable
harm); and (2) a “depart[ure] from the essential requirements of the law.” Nader v.
Fla. Dep't of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, 87 So. 3d 712, 721 (Fla. 2012)
(quotations omitted). The establishment of irreparable harm is a condition precedent
to invoking certiorari jurisdiction. Stockinger v. Zeilberger, 152 So. 3d 71, 73 (Fla.
3d DCA 2014).
1
The foster care placement is with the foster parents who cared for the child for the
year after he was adjudicated dependent, and who have indicated their willingness
to adopt the child.
2
As the Father has not shown that the modification of placement order causes
him any material injury that cannot be corrected on appeal, i.e., irreparable harm, we
lack jurisdiction to review the petition.
Petition dismissed.
3