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The State of Florida is divided into 20 judicial circuits or areas of jurisdiction. Together with the five District Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Florida, they constitute the Florida State Courts System.

The Supreme Court of Florida is the state's highest court of judicial review (appeals) and is located in Tallahassee. Seven justices, including one Chief Justice, review questions of law from Florida's five District Courts of Appeal and directly review capital death cases from the circuit courts. Initially appointed by the governor, these justices stand for a statewide merit retention vote every six years. The Chief Justice oversees the administration of the entire state courts system, assisted by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.

The next level in the Florida State Courts System is composed of five District Courts of Appeal, whose large volume of work makes them the largest appellate courts in the state. Their 61 judges sit in Tallahassee, Lakeland, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach and Miami. Like the Supreme Court justices, these judges are appointed by the governor and stand for merit retention vote every six years within their respective districts.

The next two levels can best be described as a two-tier trial court system of Circuit and County courts. All 20 of the state's judicial circuits consist of one circuit court, but may encompass more than one county court, depending on population. Circuit courts are the highest trial courts in the state's judicial system. There are 468 circuit court judges statewide, 70 of which preside in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. There are 263 judges in the state's 67 county courts, 41 of which preside in this circuit.

Appeals from the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit (except capital death cases which are appealed directly to the Supreme Court of Florida) are heard at the Third District Court of Appeal in Miami, Florida. Appeals from county court to circuit court are heard by three circuit court judges within this circuit on a rotation basis. Judges in the circuit and county courts are generally elected by popular vote, but are also appointed by the governor to fill vacancies in the Court. Circuit court judges serve six-year terms and county court judges, four-year terms, at the end of which time they may run for re-election. Circuit and county court judges are required to retire at age 70, but may continue to serve as Senior Judges to hear cases with approval from the Supreme Court of Florida.