Circuit Courts
The Circuit Courts in the state of Florida were set up to assist in a 2-tiered court system. Circuit Court judges are elected by Florida voters to serve a 6-year term. The circuit court system serves as the highest trial court overseeing civil disputes more than $15,000, controversies over estates of decedents, minors, and incapacitated persons, juvenile cases, felony criminal prosecution, tax disputes, real property title and boundaries, and many more responsibilities.
Florida Circuit Court Jurisdiction
There are 20 Circuit Courts in the state of Florida. The number of judges elected depends on the population and caseload of the area. To be eligible for Circuit Judge, the person must have been admitted to practice Florida law for at least five (5) years.
- 1st Circuit - Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton
- 2nd Circuit - Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla
- 3rd Circuit - Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor
- 4th Circuit - Clay, Duval and Nassau
- 5th Circuit - Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter
- 6th Circuit - Pasco and Pinellas
- 7th Circuit - Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia
- 8th Circuit - Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union
- 9th Circuit - Orange and Osceola
- 10th Circuit - Hardee, Highlands, and Polk
- 11th Circuit - Dade
- 12th Circuit - DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota
- 13th Circuit - Hillsborough
- 14th Circuit - Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington
- 15th Circuit - Palm Beach
- 16th Circuit - Monroe
- 17th Circuit - Broward
- 18th Circuit - Brevard and Seminole
- 19th Circuit - Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie
- 20th Circuit - Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee
Court Records
The court system makes available online statewide official records. Typically, the records are updated weekly online. Official records available online are affidavits, bonds, death certificates, liens, marriage records, military discharge, mortgage, probate documents, and many more records.
Circuit Court Records Search Online
Florida Mediation
To avoid costly litigation a less expensive and informal way to resolve disputes is through mediation. Mediators must have the Florida Supreme Court Circuit Civil and Country Court Mediator Certification.
Jury Service
If you are summoned to be a juror in Florida, it is your obligation as a citizen to participate in jury duty. A Jury Duty Handbook describes the qualifications, exemptions, payment, employee rights, length of service, and types of trials you may be involved in.
Circuit Court Jobs Listing
A current listing of job openings in the Florida court system are available online. To apply for a vacant position within the Florida court system, you must submit a completed State of Florida application separately for each job vacancy. Applicants are subject to criminal background checks.
Florida mediators are required to complete Continuing Mediator Education (CME) credits to keep current. Circuit Court mediators are required to complete every two (2) years: 16 hours of CME (50% of those hours must be considered “live” or interactive Internet) which include 4 hours of mediator ethics, 2 hours of domestic violence, and 1 hour of diversity or cultural awareness.
Florida Court System Job Listing
Florida State Courts System Job Descriptions, Education and Experience Recommended
Salaries for Florida Court System Employees
State of Florida Application
State of Florida Office of Personnel Services: 850-488-3695
The system of Florida Courts include the Supreme Court, District Courts, Circuit Courts, and County Courts. The Circuit Courts responsibilities include felonies, family law (divorce), civil cases over $15,000, probate / guardianship / mental health, juvenile dependency and delinquency, and appeals from County Courts.