Circuit court Florida

Florida's circuit courts are state-level trial courts with original jurisdiction over most legal matters, including felony criminal cases, family law, civil disputes exceeding $50,000, probate, juvenile issues, and appeals from certain administrative decisions. There are 20 judicial circuits across the state, each spanning multiple counties except for five single-county circuits.

These courts handle original jurisdiction in actions at law, equity cases (excluding traffic offenses), all felony and misdemeanor crimes linked to felonies, tax disputes, property title issues, and more. Their appellate jurisdiction includes appeals from final administrative orders.

Specialized business court tracks were established in four circuits: the Ninth (Orange and Osceola Counties), Eleventh (Miami-Dade County), Thirteenth (Hillsborough County), and Seventeenth (Broward County). These divisions handle complex business and commercial cases, with notable judges contributing to their development.

Circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan, contested elections for six-year terms, subject to the same disciplinary standards as higher courts.