FL Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Question 1

Supreme Court: Mandatory Jurisdiction

Answer 1

• Capital cases
• Constitutional questions (decisions of district courts of appeal declaring invalid a state statute or a provision of the state constitution)
• Bond validations
• Public utility cases

Question 2

Supreme Court: Discretionary Jurisdiction

Answer 2

• Determining validity of statutes
• Determining construction of FL or US Constitution
• Decisions affecting class of constitutional/statutory officers
• Certified questions from FL District Court of Appeals, Federal Court of Appeals, or the U.S. Supreme Court

Question 3

Supreme Court: Original, Non-Exclusive Jurisdiction

Answer 3

Certain writs

Question 4

District Court of Appeals

Answer 4

• Administrative decisions by state agencies
• Certified questions from a County Court
• Various writs
• All matters NOT directly appealable to FL Supreme Court

Question 5

Circuit Courts

Answer 5

• Felonies
• Juvenile cases (except traffic offenses)
• Civil Cases OVER $15,000
• Family Law cases
• Ejectment cases
• Tax assessments
• Probate
• Guardianship and Mental Health cases
• APPEALS from County Court

Question 6

County Courts

Answer 6

• Misdemeanors
• Violations of Municipal Ordinances, including traffic laws
• Civil Cases UP TO $15,000
• Simplified and uncontested divorces
• Homeowner’s association disputes