Circuit Courts

The majority of jury trials in Florida take place before one judge sitting as judge of the circuit court. The circuit courts are sometimes referred to as courts of general jurisdiction, in recognition of the fact that most criminal and civil cases originate at this level.

Circuit courts have general trial jurisdiction over matters not assigned by statute to the county courts and also hear appeals, if authorized by the Florida Statutes, of decisions in certain administrative, noncriminal infraction, and other types of cases. Thus, circuit courts are simultaneously the highest trial courts and the lowest appellate courts in Florida's judicial system.