In 2022, the Legislature increased the number of District Courts of Appeal from five to six, effective January 1, 2023. The Legislature also changed the geographical boundaries of several districts, which range from two to five judicial circuits. The six courthouse headquarters are located in Leon County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County, Pinellas County, Polk County, and Volusia County.
The governor fills a judicial vacancy on a district court by appointment from a list of qualified persons recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission. There is a nominating commission for each appellate court district. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a registered voter who resides in the jurisdiction of the court and has been admitted to the practice of law in Florida for the preceding 10 years. An appellate judge serves for six years and must be retained by vote of the registered voters in the district to serve another six-year term.
Title | Fund | Dollars | Positions |
---|---|---|---|
PROGRAM: DISTRICT COURTS OF APPEAL | |||
COURT OPERATIONS - APPELLATE COURTS |
83,019,939
|
504.00 |
|
TOTAL |
83,019,939 |
504.00 |
Florida's Judicial Boundaries and Workload, Report 19-06, August 2019 |
Other Reports
The Florida State Courts Annual Reports, Office of the State Courts Administrator
Florida Courts Technology Commission Yearly Report, Appellate Court Technology Committee, April 2023
Final Report and Recommendations, District Court of Appeal Workload and Jurisdiction Assessment Committee, 2021
Short History of Florida State Courts System Processes, Programs, and Initiatives, Office of the State Courts Administrator, 2016
The Auditor General reports on the state courts system are available on its website
Websites of Interest
Florida District Courts of Appeal Online Docket
Florida Rules of Court Procedure
National Center for State Courts
Performance Information
Office of the State Courts Administrator, Supreme Court of Florida, 850-922-5081
Website