Subject Matter and Personal Jurisdiction

Question 1

What is Subject Matter Jurisdiction?

Answer 1

The authority of a court to judge a dispute. The power or competence to decide the KIND of controversy involved.

Question 2

Florida has how many district courts of appeal?

Answer 2

There are 5 appellate districts in Florida.

Question 3

How many circuit courts are in Florida?

Answer 3

20

Question 4

How many county courts are in Florida?

Answer 4

67

Question 5

In 2019, How much money needs to be in controversy to move a case from county court to circuit court in Florida.?

Answer 5

15k

Question 6

In 2020, How much money needs to be in controversy to move a case from county court to circuit court in Florida.?

Answer 6

30k

Question 7

In 2023, How much money needs to be in controversy to move a case from county court to circuit court in Florida.?

Answer 7

50k

Question 8

Who has appellate jurisdiction over county courts?

Answer 8

Circuit Courts unless there is a “certified” question (constitutional/conflict among courts/great importance) which allows them to skip up to District Court of Appeal

Question 9

What types of cases are heard in county court?

Answer 9

Misdemeanors, small claims up to 5k, Civil up to and including 30k now, and traffic.

Question 10

What types of cases are heard in circuit courts?

Answer 10

Felonies, family law matters, civil cases over 30k, probate/guardianship/mental health/ and appeals from the county courts.

Question 11

What types of cases are heard in District Courts of Appeal?

Answer 11

All matters not directly appealable to the Supreme Court, Final Actions of State agencies.

Question 12

What types of cases does the Florida Supreme Court hear?

Answer 12

Death penalty cases, cases it selects, constitutional relevant cases, and utility rates cases.

Question 13

What is personal jurisdiction?

Answer 13

This is the power of the court over a person.

Question 14

What are the bases of personal jurisdiction?

Answer 14

1). Presence 2). Domicile 3). Consent 4). Appearance 5). Minimum Contacts

Question 15

How many domiciles can a person have in Florida?

Answer 15

A person can only have one domicile, you can have many residences but only one place you actually are domiciled.

Question 16

What are the minimum contacts that activate personal jurisdiction?

Answer 16

Sufficient minimum contact that doesn’t offend fair play.

Question 17

What is a motion to strike?

Answer 17

This is a motion to take something out of the pleading that doesn’t belong there.

Question 18

What is a motion for a more definite statement?

Answer 18

This means that you don’t understand what the pleading says and you need clarity.

Question 19

When you have a bench trial what does the judge decide?

Answer 19

The Bench trial allows the judge to judge facts and laws.

Question 20

What is General vs. Specific Jurisdiction?

Answer 20

General jurisdiction means that the D engages in general substantial and not isolated activities so then they are subject to general jurisdiction and can be sued in Florida for any claim, even one that is unrelated to the Floria activities. Specific jurisdiction means that the D can only be sued for a claim that arises from particular activities in Florida.

Question 21

What is the Florida Long Arm Statute?

Answer 21

This means that when people do certain things they create jurisdiction over themselves in Florida. 1). Being in business2). Committing a tort 3). owning a home with a mortgage 4). insuring someone/something 5).having ex with someone in Florida (paternity) 6). breaching a K 7.
engaging in substantial activities in the state.

Question 22

What is In Rem Jurisdiction?

Answer 22

this is where the court makes a judgment for all people concerning a piece of property.