Circuit court (Florida)

The Florida circuit courts are state courts and trial courts[1] of original jurisdiction for most controversies. In Florida, the circuit courts are one of four types of courts created by the Florida Constitution (the other three being the Florida Supreme Court, Florida district courts of appeal, and Florida county courts).[2]

Politics of Florida
Constitution and law
Executive
Legislature
  • Senate
    • President: Kathleen Passidomo (R)
    • President pro Tempore: Dennis Baxley (R)
    • Majority Leader: Ben Albritton (R)
    • Minority Leader: Lauren Book (D)
  • House
    • Speaker: Paul Renner (R)
    • Speaker pro Tempore: Chuck Clemons (R)
    • Majority Leader: Michael J. Grant (R)
    • Minority Leader: Fentrice Driskell (D)
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Congressional delegation

The circuit courts primarily handle felony criminal cases; family law matters; civil cases where the amount in controversy is greater than $50,000; probate, guardianship, and mental health cases; juvenile dependency and delinquency cases; and appeals of decisions in certain administrative, noncriminal infractions, and other types of cases.[3]

Circuits
Map of the judicial circuits

There are 20 judicial circuits in Florida, all but five of which span multiple counties. They are:[4]

  1. First Circuit – Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton
  2. Second Circuit – Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla
  3. Third Circuit – Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor
  4. Fourth Circuit – Clay, Duval and Nassau
  5. Fifth Circuit – Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter
  6. Sixth Circuit – Pasco and Pinellas
  7. Seventh Circuit – Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia
  8. Eighth Circuit – Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union
  9. Ninth Circuit – Orange and Osceola
  10. Tenth Circuit – Hardee, Highlands, and Polk
  11. Eleventh Circuit – Miami-Dade
  12. Twelfth Circuit – DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota
  13. Thirteenth Circuit – Hillsborough
  14. Fourteenth Circuit – Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington
  15. Fifteenth Circuit – Palm Beach
  16. Sixteenth Circuit – Monroe
  17. Seventeenth Circuit – Broward
  18. Eighteenth Circuit – Brevard and Seminole
  19. Nineteenth Circuit – Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie
  20. Twentieth Circuit – Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee

Jurisdiction

Florida circuit courts have original jurisdiction not vested in the county courts, direct review of administrative action, and the power to issue writs of mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, prohibition, and habeas corpus, as well as any other writs necessary to exercise their jurisdiction.[5]

As authorized by the legislature, and in addition to the power to issue various injunctions and other necessary orders,[6] the circuit courts more specifically have the following jurisdiction:

Original jurisdiction

Original jurisdiction is as follows:

  • In all actions at law not cognizable by the county courts;[7]
  • Of proceedings relating to the settlement of the estates of decedents and minors, the granting of letters testamentary, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, the determination of incompetency, and other jurisdiction usually pertaining to courts of probate;[8]
  • In all cases in equity including all cases relating to juveniles except traffic offenses as provided in chapters 316 and 985;[9]
  • Of all felonies and of all misdemeanors arising out of the same circumstances as a felony which is also charged;[10]
  • In all cases involving legality of any tax assessment or toll or denial of refund, except as provided in s. 72.011;[11]
  • In actions of ejectment;[12] and
  • In all actions involving the title and boundaries of real property.[13]

Appellate jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction is as follows:

  • Appeals from final administrative orders of local government code enforcement boards and of reviews and appeals as otherwise expressly provided by law.[14]

Election

Circuit court judges are elected by the voters of the circuits in nonpartisan, contested elections against other persons who choose to qualify as candidates for the position. Circuit court judges serve for six-year terms, and they are subject to the same disciplinary standards and procedures as Supreme Court Justices and district court judges.[15]

See also

References
  1. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(5) (2007).
  2. Fla. Const. of 1968, Art. V, § 1 (1998).
  3. "Know Your Courts". Florida Courts. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  4. "General Information". Florida's Circuit Courts. State of Florida. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  5. Fla. Const. of 1968, Art. V, § 5(b) (1972).
  6. Fla. Stat. §§ 26.012(3), (4) (2007).
  7. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(a) (2007).
  8. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(b) (2020).
  9. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(c) (2020).
  10. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(d) (2020).
  11. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(e) (2020).
  12. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(f) (2020).
  13. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(g) (2020).
  14. Fla. Stat. § 26.012(1) (2020).
  15. State of Florida. "General Information". Florida's Circuit Courts. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
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