How to Get Approved to Visit Someone Other Than a Parent or Guardian at Dade C.I.
Not the youth's parent, grandparent, or legal guardian? You won't be automatically cleared to visit at Dade C.I. — but you can still request approval through the right channels.
At Dade C.I., parents, grandparents, and legal guardians get automatic approval. If that's you, you're cleared by default - just follow the facility's normal entry rules when you arrive.
Note: If you’re not a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian, you’ll need either a court order or specific approval from the Superintendent (or designee) before you can visit.
A court order becomes necessary when you're not in the automatically approved group and can't get the Superintendent's approval. The rule is simple: anyone who isn't a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian needs either a court order or specific approval from the Superintendent (or their designee). If you're another relative, a family friend, or a supportive adult, expect to go through one of these two routes.
Start by contacting the youth's assigned Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO). The JPO handles additions to a youth's visitation list and arranges special visitation - they're your direct line to the people who can approve your request.
Questions about the youth's case or charges? Those go to the assigned JPO. For other visitation questions that aren't case-related, reach out to the on-duty JJDO Supervisor.
- ✓ Contact the youth’s assigned JPO to request a visitation list addition or special visitation arrangement.
- ✓ If you’re not a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian, understand that the visit must be allowed by a court order or specifically approved by the Superintendent (or designee).
- ✓ Follow the process the JPO gives you so the request can be routed for the required approval.
Info Ready
- ✓ Youth’s full name
- ✓ Your full name and contact information
- ✓ Your relationship to the youth (and how long you’ve known them, if relevant)
- ✓ Why you’re requesting to visit
- ✓ The dates/times you’re hoping to visit (or your general availability)
- ✓ Any existing court paperwork related to visitation (if you have it)
- ✓ Anything the JPO asks for to support the request
Note: There's no specific form or timeline spelled out in the policy. Ask the JPO (or the facility directly) about their local procedure and how long approvals typically take.
- Ask the JPO where your request stands - for non-parent/guardian visitors, the visit has to be approved by the Superintendent (or designee) or ordered by the court.
- Confirm which approval route applies to you - if Superintendent/designee approval isn’t granted, find out whether a court order is the correct next step for your situation.
- Keep a simple record of your contacts - write down who you spoke with and when, so you can follow up clearly without restarting the conversation each time.
Even with approval on paper, you can still be turned away at the door. You'll need to sign in and out on the youth's Visitor's Log, and staff will deny entry if you don't present proper photo ID or refuse required searches. Travel light: personal items like keys, purses, and packages aren't allowed in the secure area. Bringing unauthorized items into a detention facility is a third-degree felony. If your visit gets denied, address the specific issue - ID, search refusal, or prohibited items - before your next attempt.
Local practice can vary, even when the policy seems clear. Contact the youth's assigned JPO for the exact steps they want you to follow, and confirm what the facility expects before you show up.
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