Florida Bail Bonds Practice Exam

In the Florida judicial system, which court primarily handles civil and criminal cases?

1. District Courts of Appeal

2. County Courts

3. Circuit Courts

4. Florida Supreme Court

The correct answer is: Circuit Courts

The Florida judicial system is structured in a way that allows for various types of cases to be assigned to different levels of courts, each with its own jurisdiction. Circuit Courts serve as the primary courts for handling both civil and criminal cases. They possess general jurisdiction, meaning they deal with a wide variety of legal matters, including felonies, family law cases, and civil disputes involving higher amounts of money. Moreover, Circuit Courts play a crucial role in the legal process, providing a venue for appeals from County Courts and overseeing more significant legal issues compared to lower courts. This general jurisdiction is what differentiates Circuit Courts from other courts like County Courts, which mainly handle minor civil cases and misdemeanors, and the District Courts of Appeal, which focus on appeals from the Circuit Courts and do not directly handle trials. The Florida Supreme Court, on the other hand, primarily addresses constitutional issues and appeals from the District Courts of Appeal, further emphasizing the Circuit Court's central role in the judicial system for both civil and criminal cases.