×
Menu
  1. Resource Center
    1. Guardianship
    2. Domestic Violence
    3. Debt Collection
    4. Traffic
    5. Mental Health
    6. Estates
    7. Mortgage Foreclosure
    8. Small Claims
    9. Landlord / Tenant
    10. Divorce
    11. Paternity
    12. Child Support
    13. Criminal Cases
    14. Process Servers
    15. Incapacity
    16. Substance Abuse
  2. About the Court
    1. Judges
      1. Judicial Directory
      2. Judicial Calendar
      3. Emergency Judges
    2. Court Divisions
      1. Civil
      2. Criminal
      3. Family
      4. Probate
      5. Traffic
      6. Domestic Violence
      7. Appellate
      8. Unified Children's Court
    3. Courthouse Locations
      1. Dade County Courthouse
      2. Coral Gables Branch Court
      3. Hialeah Courthouse
      4. North Dade Justice Center
      5. South Dade Justice Center
      6. Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
      7. Miami-Dade Children's Courthouse
      8. Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
      9. Miami Beach Court Facility
      10. Overtown Transit Village South
      11. Joseph Caleb Center
    4. Courthouse Amenities
      1. Court Care
      2. Lactation Rooms
      3. Court Food Services
      4. Gender Neutral and Family Restrooms
    5. Courthouse Security Procedures
    6. Court Administration
    7. Court Administration Staff
    8. Judicial Administration
    9. Court Holidays/Closings
    10. Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan
    11. About Us
  3. General Information
    1. Job Opportunities
    2. Administrative Orders
    3. Local Rules
    4. Court Appointed Counsel
    5. Media/Public Inquiries
    6. Press Releases
    7. Community Connect Online
    8. In the News
    9. Volunteer Program
    10. Probate Attorney's Corner
    11. Local Professionalism Panel
      1. Professionalism Panel Home
      2. Professionalism Panel Members
      3. Submit a Complaint
      4. Professionalism Resources
      5. Published Panel Opinions
  4. Court Events
    1. Recent Events
    2. Upcoming Events
Search
Thursday, June 30, 2022

Circuit and County Court Jurisdiction

Florida currently operates under a two-tier trial court system of circuit and county courts, established in 1972 with the adoption of Article V to the Florida Constitution, which defines the jurisdiction and organization of the Florida State Court System. In the circuit and county trial courts, factual disputes are resolved, either by jury trials where verdicts are rendered by the people, or by non-jury or "bench" trials where a judge decides the issues in the case. In general, County Courts, sometimes called "the people's courts", are courts of limited jurisdiction where minor criminal (misdemeanor) and civil cases are heard. In the Circuit Courts, which are the highest state trial courts in Florida, major criminal (felony), civil, family, juvenile and probate matters are heard. (A legal description of circuit and county court jurisdiction is detailed in the Florida Statutes.)

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit has 80 circuit court judges and 43 county court judges who are elected for six-year terms. At the end of this time, judges may run for reelection and serve additional terms. Chief Judge Bertila Soto provides direct Judicial administration for the circuit and county courts of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. These courts are divided into several divisions, each of which is headed by an administrative judge.
Copyright © 2022 Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Disclaimer
Back To Top