Role of state attorney.
F.S. 61.538
in effect(1)
In a case arising under this part or involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the state attorney may take any lawful action, including resort to a proceeding under ss. 61.524-61.540 or any other available civil proceeding, to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child custody determination, if there is:
(a)
An existing child custody determination;
(b)
A request to do so from a court in a pending child custody proceeding;
(c)
A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or
(d)
A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
(2)
A state attorney acting under this section acts on behalf of the court and may not represent any party.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter61/AllFetched: 7/8/2026