Attorneys have many reasons for keeping informed of Florida courts and judges news and trends. Attorneys need to keep track of appointments as judges die or retire in order to correctly file papers with the court. Courts may change their procedures and administrative rules, which can affect the way that attorneys do their jobs. Attorneys also may want to know a judge’s legal education and background, as it may affect how a judge comes to a decision.

Anyone who wishes to stay current on news related to FL courts should identify key legal websites in Florida and check them periodically for updates. The best sources of information on news and trends on Florida courts and judges include the following:

1. Independent news sources on Florida judges and courts, such as blogs, newspapers and magazines. These sources are the most likely to provide unbiased opinions or news about a court or judge.
2. Court websites. These sites are the best source of official news and trends, such as current appointments and court decisions.
3. Organizations for legal professionals. Meetings of these organizations provide opportunities to get inside news information on courts and judges.
   

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Study sources of unbiased news and trends for courts in FL

Journalists frequently report on news and events that affect the Florida judiciary in online newspapers and magazines. Attorneys and law professors also may provide opinions on recent court decisions in blogs and journals.

I recommend: The South Florida Injury Attorney Blog reports and commentary on current court news in Florida. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reports on legal news and trends in Florida, such as the discipline of lawyers by the Florida Supreme Court.

Review Florida courts and judges websites to get official news and other information

Florida courts and judges websites are the best places to get current news about judges for a particular court, as well as information about upcoming appointments and retirements. A Florida court also may publish important court decisions and opinions on the official website, which can help attorneys stay informed of the latest ruling trends.

I recommend: The Florida State Courts provides regular news on court appointments to the Florida Supreme Court. The United States District Court, Southern District of Florida provides extensive news on courts in Florida, including press releases.

Join professional legal organizations to get inside news on a Florida court

Florida bar and attorney organizations hold meetings to evaluate and discuss legal news and trends. These meetings also provide an opportunity to hear from attorneys who actually have tried cases before a particular Florida court or judge.

I recommend: The Florida Bar conducts regular events and also posts current news on the Florida court system. The Martin County Bar Association holds regular lunch meetings on the third Friday of every month to discuss legal news and trends in Martin County.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There also are online forums dedicated to news and trends in a FL court. These forums may have a separate directory for each court and typically invite readers to discuss and evaluate news on courts and judges based on personal experience. The evaluation methods may consist of surveys, polls and votes that include reader comments.

A basic knowledge of Florida courts and judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself standing before a Florida judge. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it doesn’t hurt to understand the Florida courts process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Florida courts and and the judges of Florida courts, keep the following in mind:

1. You can find information on those circuit and county court cases with a Florida court search.

2. The Supreme Court and District Appellate Courts only hear appellate cases and each court has their own appointed judges in Florida.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through FL court records.

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Locate circuit and county Florida courts and judges

Florida has a court in each of its 67 counties. The county courts hear civil cases involving disputes over $15,000 or less. Additionally, there are 12 circuit Florida courts, that deal with larger civil cases as well as criminal cases. Voters elect circuit and county judges in FL. In addition to the state and federal court rules, circuit and county FL courts have local rules and filing costs you must abide by when filing a case.

I recommend: The Circuit Courts section of the Florida State Courts website provides a link to websites of all 12 circuit courts. Each of those websites provide a directory of Florida judges in that particular circuit court. Visit StateofFlorida.com for a directory of county courts in Florida. Search Florida court case records on MyFloridaCounty.com.

File an appeal with the Supreme and Appellate courts in Florida

The Florida Supreme Court and District Appellate Courts both hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the Florida Supreme Court or District Appellate Courts. There are seven judges in Florida Supreme Court; the Court of Appeals provides a panel of three judges.

I recommend: Search the online docket for current Supreme Court cases on the Florida Supreme Court website. Link to the five district Florida courts from the Florida State Courts website. Each district court website, such as the Florida Third District Court of Appeals, has basic information about that district court, including a directory of Florida judges for that district.

Access records from bankruptcy courts in Florida

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Florida Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. Three districts make up the Florida Bankruptcy court: the northern, middle and southern districts. Each provide information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and online search of Florida bankruptcy records.

I recommend: Obtain basic bankruptcy filing information the US Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Florida website by click the Filing Fee & Information box on the left panel. Visit the bankruptcy filing search (called CM/ECF Pacer) on the US Bankruptcy Court – Northern District of Florida website (each district provides a similar online search).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of courts and judges in Florida, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.

If you own or run a business in Florida, pursuing Florida courts and judges for beginners information can provide a number of benefits. Imagine that someone sues your company in a state, county or even small claims court. Even a basic understanding of the court's procedural rules is going to help you stay on top of pre-trial discovery. Or, perhaps you've decided to run background checks on new hires. Knowing some essential facts about Florida court records will help you access the relevant databases online and help you perform the most basic searches.

Get essential knowledge of Florida courts and judges for beginners when you following some easy steps:

1. Discover the structure and administration of FL courts.

2. Find out how to contact courts and judges in FL.

3. Perform basic searches through records of the FL courts.

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Get an overview of the Florida courts and FL judges

If you're new to the Florida court system, your first task is to learn the names of the lower and upper state courts, who administers them and how the courts interact with the state's legislative and executive departments. Knowing where to find the court's procedural rules can also help you should you decide to represent yourself in court.

I recommend: Florida State Courts explains the structure and administration of the Florida court system, from the county courts to the Supreme Court. It also tells you how the Office of the State Courts Administrator works as a liaison between the courts and other branches of state government. The Clerk of Courts, Miami-Dade County answers your questions about what the small claims court does and how you can file a petition there. Florida Drivers explains how the traffic courts operate so you'll know how to contest a traffic citation. With the rules of court provided by The Florida Bar, you'll acquire the practical knowledge necessary to answer a complaint, participate in pre-trial discovery and stay on top of court deadlines.

Know how to contact Florida judges and courts

You may be surprised to find out just how helpful a judge's staff or court administrator can be when it comes to answering specific questions about locating opinions from higher courts. If you're wondering how judges of Florida courts are likely to rule on a social or economic issue, perhaps you'd want to read about their professional affiliations.

I recommend: Florida County Judges identifies the state's 20 judicial districts, their local rules and judicial staff. Similarly, the Florida First District Court of Appeal's website tells you where to find recent and archived opinions, who serves as the Chief Justice and who are the Associate Justices as well as providing the justices' educational and professional backgrounds. Use the contact information at Florida State Courts to request personal assistance from the Office of the State Courts Administrator.

Learn how to perform basic searches through records from courts in Florida

As a business owner, you understand how important comprehensive background searches on potential employees can be. Learn how to search through Florida court records so you can determine whether applicants have criminal histories or can verify an employee's birth, death or marriage date.

I recommend: At State Government Records and Public Records Information you'll find updated and easy to search data bases allowing you to locate records from state, county and federal courts in Florida.

As a businessman in Florida, you know just how consequential state court decisions handed down by state courts and judges can be. These decisions can determine the benefits you offer your employees, the minimum wage you pay them and even whether you make structural changes at your facility to accommodate special needs. With a quick review of key terms, you can learn the ins and outs of Florida’s judicial system that might significantly impact how you do business.

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Alternative dispute resolution

Attorneys rely on alternative dispute resolution to solve cases without going to trial. Also known as ADR, alternative dispute resolution can take many forms, from mediations in which a neutral arbitrator tries to coach the parties toward agreement, to a formal arbitration proceeding in which both parties present their side of the case and the arbitrator hands down a binding decision.

I recommend: Guide to Florida Law points out that ADR is a quicker and more flexible approach to resolving lawsuits but may not be appropriate in every situation.

Florida's county courts

Florida's county courts are spread out over the state's 67 counties. County court judges must be members of the Florida Bar. They serve on the county courts for six years and then become eligible for appointment to the state's circuit court.

I recommend: Go to Florida's County Courts to find out the jurisdiction of the county courts and why they’re called “the people’s courts.”

Florida district courts

Florida's district courts hear cases on appeal from the trial courts. Three judges, appointed for six-year terms, sit on each of the five district courts which came into existence in 1957.

I recommend: Florida’s District Courts explains the jurisdiction of the district courts, their administration by a chief judge and why the courts have the power to review decisions made by state agencies.

Merit retention

Florida has had the merit retention system since the 1970s. It allows the governor to select judges from a list that the state's Judicial Nominating Commission prepares. Citizens in the state then get to vote on whether or not the judge should be retained.

I recommend: The Florida Supreme Court explains the nominating and voting process under the merit retention system.

Rules of procedure

Rules of procedure establish court procedures attorneys and judges follow as they perform specific actions related to a case. The rules tell attorneys what kind of evidence is allowed, how and when to schedule hearings and how to appeal an adverse decision.

I recommend: The Florida Bar links you to many of the state’s rules of procedure, including those for civil and criminal matters, judicial administration, probate matters and traffic court.

The Sunshine Law

Florida enacted The Sunshine Law in 1967 to help citizens and public employees understand the state's 'open' government laws. This law allows public access to local and state meetings, including those held by special commissions.

I recommend: Go to My Florida Sunshine to learn how this law impacts your right to review public records.