Appeals of county court decisions pending before circuit courts and subject to the jurisdiction change will be transferred automatically to the appropriate district court of appeal. Beginning January 1, 2021, parties appealing certain county court decisions will have their appeal heard in the district courts (pursuant to ch. 2020-61, Laws of Fla.).
This chart does not represent a comprehensive or exhaustive list of appellate jurisdiction. Users are cautioned to do their own research and refer to Florida state statutes and court rules for definitive answers. Self-represented litigants with questions are encouraged to consult an attorney; information about local self-help centers and free and low-cost legal aid can be found here.
Voluntary binding arbitration decisions
An appeal of a voluntary binding arbitration decision shall be taken to the circuit court.
Certain ineligibility decisions by the supervisor of elections
An appeal of the supervisor's determination of ineligibility may be taken to the circuit court.
Decisions by a value adjustment board
The property appraiser may appeal the board’s decision to the circuit court.
Presumption that certain prequalified contractors are qualified to perform certain public construction work
Prequalification process and procedures established by a political subdivision
The political subdivision may provide an appeal process to overcome that presumption with de novo review based on the record below to the circuit court.
The procedures must provide for an appeal process within the authority for making objections to the prequalification process with de novo review based on the record below to the circuit court.
Red light cameras
A final administrative order may be appealed to the circuit court consistent with the process in § 162.11.
318.16 and 318.33
Civil traffic infractions
Certain hearing officer decisions may be appealed to the circuit court.
Noncriminal infractions relating to vessels
A determination by the hearing officer that person committed an infraction may be appealed to the circuit court.
336.41(5) and 337.14(9)
Presumption that certain prequalified contractors are qualified to perform certain public construction work
Prequalification process and procedures established by a political subdivision
Selection procedures adopted by a political subdivision
The political subdivision may provide an appeal process to overcome that presumption with de novo review based on the record below to the circuit court.
The procedures must provide for an appeal process within the authority for making objections to the prequalification process with de novo review based on the record below to the circuit court.
Appeal of adopted procedures shall be to the circuit court.
376.065(5)(g), 376.07(3)(f), 376.071(2)(g), and 376.16(10)
Pollutant law infractions
A determination by the hearing officer that person committed an infraction may be appealed to the circuit court.
379.401(1)(h), 379.4015(1)(j), and 379.412(2)(a)4.
Fish and wildlife infractions
A finding that a person committed certain noncriminal infractions may be appealed to the circuit court.
489.127(5)(j) and 489.531(4)(j)
Construction and electrical and alarm system contracting
Certain final administrative orders may be appealed to the circuit court.
Underground facility infractions
A finding that a person committed certain noncriminal infractions may be appealed to the circuit court.
Retail tobacco products dealer permit infractions
A finding that a person committed a noncriminal infraction may be appealed to the circuit court.
605.0716(2), 605.09091(2), 607.1423(2), 607.1532(2), and 620.1811(2)
Denials of reinstatement of certain corporate status by Department of State (DOS)
The entity may appeal the denial by petitioning the Circuit Court of Leon County to set aside the dissolution or revocation.
607.0126 and 617.0126
Refusals to file document by DOS
The DOS’s refusal to file certain documents may under certain circumstances be appealed to the circuit court.
Revocations of foreign corporation’s authority by DOS
The corporation may appeal to the circuit court of the county where the registered office of such corporation is situated.
Board decisions in New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Program
Board’s decision may be appealed to the circuit court.
Arbiter decisions in RV Mediation and Arbitration Program
Arbitrator’s decision may be appealed to the circuit court.
Dangerous dog classifications by animal control authority
Classification, penalty, or both may be appealed to the circuit court after receipt of the final order.
[1] Under ch. 2020-61, L.O.F., county courts may continue, pursuant to §§ 34.017 and 35.065, F.S., to certify a question to a district court of appeal in a final judgment, but only if that judgment is appealable to the circuit court.
[2] A separately available chart titled Statutory Provisions Referencing Extraordinary Writs lists statutes that address extraordinary writs. As noted at the beginning of the document, many of these statutes do not indicate the specific court in which the petition for such writ should be filed. To determine the proper court, all practitioners should consult the Florida Constitution, applicable statutes, procedural rules, and case law.
On January 1, 2020, changes in Florida state law and the Florida Rules of Procedure will go into effect, changing where a variety of court actions are heard.
What do changes to county court civil case dollar amounts mean for you? For the big picture, watch these videos.
A visual and text explanation of where cases originate and how they may proceed is below.