Section 8.4:
The State
Judicial Branch
Lower State Courts
 Most
legal matters
that arise within a
state fall under the
state court system.
 Most
states have a
three-tiered system
similar to the federal
court system.
Florida Court System
 Florida
has a four-tiered
court system.
 The
lowest courts in Florida
is the County Courts, if
appealed cases move up a
level to the Circuit Courts,
the next level of appeals is the
District Courts of Appeal,
and the highest court is
Florida Supreme Court.
FL
Supreme
Court
District Courts
of Appeal
Circuit Courts
County Courts
Courts of
Last Resort
Intermediate
Courts of
Appeals
Courts of
Courts of
Limited
General
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Courts of
Limited
Jurisdiction

County Courts
“Lower Florida Courts”
The county courts are
sometimes referred to as
the "people's courts."
 A large amount of the
courts work involves
voluminous citizen
disputes such as traffic
offenses, misdemeanors,
and disputes over money
County Courts
A
justice court is the local
court in many rural areas
and the judge is called a
justice of the peace.
 These
courts handle
misdemeanors or less
serious crimes.
County Courts
 Larger
towns may have police
courts, municipal courts or
magistrate courts, which
are run by court personnel to
expedite court proceedings.
 These
courts handle minor
cases such as teen court,
traffic violations, disturbing
the peace, or civil cases
involving sums of money less
than $1,000.
Florida Circuit Courts
“Upper Lower Florida Courts”

The Circuit courts are
sometimes referred to
as courts of general
jurisdiction in
recognition of the fact
most criminal
(felonies) and civil
cases (over $15,000)
originate at this second
tier level of the Florida
courts.
General Trial Courts
 General
trial
courts (aka Circuit
Courts) hear cases
where defendants are
accused of felonies
such as murder,
armed robbery, drug
trafficking, and other
major crimes.
General Trial Courts
 Trials
in these
courts may be held
before a jury.
 It
is the judge’s job
to make sure the
trial is conducted
fairly and
lawfully.
District Courts of Appeal
“Middle Courts – Courts of Review”

The Florida Constitution says that
the Legislature will divide the state
into appellate court districts and
that there shall be a district court
that serves each district.
 There are five appellate districts
that in Florida: Tallahassee, Lakeland,
Miami, West Palm Beach and Daytona Beach.

Their main responsibility is to hear
appeals (review decisions) from
lower courts.
Appellate Courts
 Appellate
Courts review
decisions made by trial
courts.
 Appeals
courts do not have
juries.
 Instead,
a panel of judges
hears cases and decides the
outcome by a majority vote.
(Uphold, reverse, remand)
Florida Supreme Court
“Highest Court in Florida”

The highest court is the Florida Supreme Court.
Hundreds of cases are appealed and very few make it to
this court.
 The Court is required to review final orders imposing
death sentences, state constitution violations, and
certain orders of the Public Service Commission on
utility rates and services.
 As well, the Court can use it's discretion (judgment) to
take cases that they wish to hear.
State Supreme Court
 The
Florida State
Supreme Court is the
highest court in our
state.
 It
reviews decisions of
appeals courts and is
responsible for
supervising all courts
in the state.
State Supreme Court
 It
is also the Florida Supreme
Court’s job to interpret the
Florida Constitution.
 State
Supreme Courts can have
between 5 and 9 justices. Florida
has 7 justices.
 Except
for cases involving the
federal law or the United States
Constitution, the decisions of the
State Supreme courts are final.
Selection of Justices
 State
justices usually
have longer terms of
office: 6-12 years.
 There
are three ways
state justices are
selected.
 Elected by popular
vote
 Elected by the state
legislature
 Governor appointed
Florida Supreme
Court Justices
 The
Florida Supreme Court
Justices serve 6-year terms and
are appointed by the Governor.
 The
position of Chief Justice
rotates.
 Currently,
the Chief Justice of
the Florida Supreme Court is
Chief Justice Jorge Labarga