Courts in Florida
Explore the judicial structure and filing procedures of the Florida court system, from County and Circuit courts to the District Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court. Understanding jurisdictional limits, mandatory electronic filing, and statutory deadlines is crucial for resolving civil, family, and criminal proceedings. Use our statewide directory below to find courthouse locations, clerk offices, and local rules across all 20 judicial circuits.
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The Judicial Structure and Organization of Florida Courts
The court system of Florida operates through a four-tier judicial hierarchy serving 67 counties grouped into 20 Judicial Circuits. At the top of the judiciary is the Supreme Court of Florida, seated in the state capital of Tallahassee, which exercises final appellate authority on state constitutional questions, governs Florida Bar licensing, and resolves questions of exceptional statewide importance.
Intermediate appellate review is conducted across six District Courts of Appeal, strategically located across the state. These include the First DCA in Tallahassee, the Second DCA in St. Petersburg, the Third DCA in Miami, the Fourth DCA in West Palm Beach, the Fifth DCA in Daytona Beach, and the Sixth DCA in Lakeland, which evaluate final judgments from trial benches within their geographic jurisdictions.
Trial litigation is divided between Circuit Courts and County Courts. Circuit Courts exercise general jurisdiction under Fla. Stat. § 26.012 over major civil controversies exceeding $50,000, felony criminal cases, domestic relations, juvenile proceedings, and estate probate. County Courts hold statutory jurisdiction under Fla. Stat. § 34.01 over misdemeanor violations, local ordinances, traffic matters, and civil disputes up to $50,000, which includes Small Claims proceedings.
Court Filing Categories, Jurisdictional Limits, and Statutory Fees
| Service / Matter | Required Documents / Prerequisites | Statutory Fee (USD) | Processing Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Claims Action (Up to $8,000) | Statement of claim, transaction documentation, summons form | $55 - $300 tiered statutory fee | Pretrial conference within 35 to 50 days |
| County Court Civil Action ($8,001 to $50,000) | Formal civil complaint, civil cover sheet, proposed summons | $300 - $400 statutory filing fee | Summons issued in 3 to 7 business days |
| Circuit Court Civil Action (Over $50,000) | Verified complaint, electronic filing setup via Florida Portal, case data sheet | $400 statutory base filing fee | Case assignment within 24 to 48 hours |
| Notice of Appeal to District Court of Appeal | Notice of appeal, final judgment copy, mandatory appellate filing fee | $400 ($100 clerk fee + $300 DCA fee) | Transmission within 5 to 10 business days |
Critical Legal Deadlines & Statutes in Florida
Litigants appearing in Florida courts must comply strictly with mandatory statutory deadlines. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4), civil actions founded on negligence, including personal injury cases, must be initiated within two years from the date of the underlying incident, barring untimely claims.
For contract disputes, the statute of limitations depends on whether the agreement is written or unwritten. Pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2), an action founded on a written instrument must be commenced within five years, whereas actions based on unwritten contracts carry a four-year window. In commercial litigation, failure to observe these filing limitations results in procedural dismissal.
Appellate filing deadlines require immediate action following an unfavorable decision. Under Fla. R. App. P. 9.110, a notice of appeal must be filed with the clerk of the lower court within 30 days from the rendition of the final order being challenged. In small claims cases, procedural rules under Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.090 require the pretrial conference to be set no more than 50 days from the date of filing.
Small Claims Pro Se Representation vs. Retaining Legal Counsel
In Florida County Courts, small claims disputes up to $8,000 operate under the Florida Small Claims Rules, which offer an informal structure for individuals to represent themselves. Self-represented litigants can file claims, attend mandatory mediation during pretrial conferences, and present evidence without an attorney. Corporations may also be represented in small claims actions by an authorized corporate officer or manager without hiring legal counsel.
However, when civil controversies exceed $8,000 in County Court or involve Circuit Court jurisdiction, the demands of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure make legal counsel essential. Florida law strictly mandates that corporations and artificial entities must appear through a licensed member of The Florida Bar in all general civil litigation. Furthermore, complex matters such as felony defense, contested marital property division, and commercial disputes involve intricate discovery, deposition practice, and evidentiary motions that require seasoned trial attorneys.
Red Flags, Filing Scams, and Courthouse Consumer Warnings
- Beware of unauthorized document preparation services or non-lawyers offering legal advice in family or civil proceedings; only licensed members of The Florida Bar are authorized to provide legal representation in Florida courts.
- Ensure all civil filings are submitted exclusively through the official Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, avoiding third-party commercial websites charging unauthorized fees for standard court forms.
- Protect yourself from telephone scams where callers claim to represent the county sheriff or clerk of court threatening arrest for missed jury service; Florida court clerks communicate jury notices through postal mail.
- Do not sign quick settlement releases in personal injury claims without consulting an attorney, as Florida comparative fault rules under Fla. Stat. § 768.81 may substantially impact your financial recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the monetary limit for Small Claims cases in Florida?
The monetary limit for Small Claims actions in Florida County Courts is $8,000, exclusive of court costs, interest, and statutory attorney fees.
What is the jurisdictional difference between County and Circuit courts in Florida?
County Courts hear civil disputes up to $50,000 and misdemeanor criminal cases, while Circuit Courts have jurisdiction over civil actions exceeding $50,000, felony prosecutions, family law, and probate.
Can a business represent itself without a lawyer in Florida courts?
A business may represent itself through a corporate officer only in Small Claims cases up to $8,000. In general County Court matters exceeding $8,000 and all Circuit Court cases, corporations must be represented by an attorney.
What is the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal?
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is the statewide electronic filing system used by attorneys and self-represented litigants to submit court documents across all county, circuit, and appellate courts.
How much time do I have to file an appeal in Florida?
Under Florida appellate procedure rules, you have 30 calendar days from the date the final written order or judgment is rendered to file a notice of appeal with the lower court clerk.