P.R. and M.Z. v. Department of Children and Families
Docket 1D2026-0349
Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research
- Filed
- Jurisdiction
- Florida
- Court
- District Court of Appeal of Florida
- Type
- Opinion
- Case type
- Administrative
- Disposition
- Dismissed
- Docket
- 1D2026-0349
Petition for writ of mandamus in the First District Court of Appeal challenging actions by the Department of Children and Families
Summary
The Florida First District Court of Appeal dismissed an original petition for a writ of mandamus filed by P.R. and M.Z. against the Department of Children and Families. The opinion is per curiam, issued April 21, 2026, and does not include substantive reasoning in the published entry. The court noted the decision is not final until any timely motion under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331 is resolved. Judges Lewis, Winokur, and Neff concurred.
Issue Decided
- Whether petitioners were entitled to a writ of mandamus directing the Department of Children and Families to take a specified action
Authorities Cited
- Florida Rules of Appellate ProcedureFla. R. App. P. 9.330; Fla. R. App. P. 9.331
Parties
- Petitioner
- P.R.
- Petitioner
- M.Z.
- Respondent
- Department of Children and Families
- Attorney
- Sarah J. Rumph (Children's Legal Services)
- Attorney
- Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb (Statewide Director of Appeals)
- Attorney
- Mercy Almaguer (Senior Attorney, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office)
- Judge
- Lewis, J.
- Judge
- Winokur, J.
- Judge
- Neff, J.
Key Dates
- Decision date
- 2026-04-21
What You Should Do Next
- 1
Consider filing a motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or 9.331
If the petitioners believe the dismissal was erroneous or seek rehearing or clarification, they should file a timely motion under the cited appellate rules.
- 2
Consult an attorney
Because the petitioners proceeded pro se, they should consult counsel to evaluate grounds for rehearing or further review and to ensure procedural deadlines are met.
- 3
Assess discretionary review options
If rehearing is denied or inappropriate, consider whether to seek discretionary review by the Florida Supreme Court and prepare the necessary filings promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What did the court decide?
- The court dismissed the petition for a writ of mandamus; no written opinion explaining the reasons was included in the entry.
- Who does this affect?
- The dismissal directly affects the petitioners, P.R. and M.Z., and the Department of Children and Families as the respondent.
- Does this decision end the case?
- The entry notes it is not final until any timely motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or 9.331 is resolved, so the petitioners may move for rehearing or clarification.
- Can this be appealed further?
- The entry itself is from the district court; further review would generally require seeking discretionary review from the Florida Supreme Court, subject to the court's jurisdiction and rules.
The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.
Full Filing Text
FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF FLORIDA
_____________________________
No. 1D2026-0349
_____________________________
P.R. and M.Z.,
Petitioners,
v.
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES,
Respondent.
_____________________________
Petition for Writ of Mandamus—Original Proceedings.
April 21, 2026
PER CURIAM.
DISMISSED.
LEWIS, WINOKUR, and NEFF, JJ., concur.
_____________________________
Not final until disposition of any timely and
authorized motion under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or
9.331.
_____________________________
P.R. and M.Z., pro se, Petitioners.
Sarah J. Rumph, Children’s Legal Services, Tallahassee, for
Respondent; Sara Elizabeth Goldfarb, Statewide Director of
Appeals, and Mercy Almaguer, Senior Attorney, Statewide
Guardian ad Litem Office, Tallahassee, for Statewide Guardian ad
Litem.
2