Florida Courts and Judges

Protect your business by knowing the basics regarding FL courts and FL judges
By Michelle Cramer 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.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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).

• 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.