Florida Bail Bonds Practice Exam

What court has original jurisdiction over misdemeanors in Florida?

1. Circuit Court

2. County Court

3. District Courts of Appeal

4. Florida Supreme Court

The correct answer is: County Court

In Florida, the County Court has original jurisdiction over misdemeanors. This is significant because the classification of offenses determines which court will initially hear a case. Misdemeanors are typically less severe than felonies and cover less serious crimes, thus the jurisdiction falls under the County Courts rather than the higher-level Circuit Courts or the appellate courts. The County Court is responsible for handling most misdemeanor cases, which includes traffic offenses that are categorized as misdemeanors, minor disputes, and various other lower-level criminal cases. By specializing in these types of cases, County Courts help streamline the judicial process and allow for more efficient management of cases involving less serious offenses. In contrast, the Circuit Court is generally tasked with felonies and more serious civil matters, while the District Courts of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court focus on appellate review, handling appeals from lower courts rather than presiding over initial cases.