Lawyers in Florida

The Florida court system is well-known for its reputed judiciary structure. The Supreme Court, district courts of appeal, circuit courts, and county courts operate within the judiciary system in Florida. Each court has a different role. It is the highest court in the state of Florida. It has 150 years of history behind it. Now it ranks third nationwide. This court’s decisions have helped shape not only Florida itself but also the nation as a whole. Under the Supreme Court, there are five District Courts of Appeal in this state. The purpose of these courts is to provide the opportunity for review of decisions of lower tribunals. These courts correct detrimental errors and ensure that decisions are consistent with citizen’s rights. 

There are 20 judicial circuits in Florida. These are state courts and trial courts of original jurisdiction for most of the controversies. These courts primarily handle felony criminal cases and civil cases where the amount in controversy is greater than $30,000. These courts also hear appeals from county courts. Circuit courts have jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency, domestic relations, probate matters, and juvenile dependency. There is one court in each county of the state. It has 67 counties as well as 67 county courts. These courts are also referred to as ‘the people’s court’. These courts have original jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases. A large part of the courts’ work involves voluminous citizen disputes, violations of county and municipal ordinances, and relatively small monetary disputes. 

Florida has the top four of the law schools in the country. The Bar Association of Florida is also renowned for its actions to protect the public prosecuting the unlicensed practice of law. And the association works hard to assist people who are trying to get information about the legal system. The Florida Bar operates the ACAP (Attorney Consumer Assistance Program). Members of ACAP, including lawyers, handle complaints and try to resolve problems before a complaint is filed. The Bar regulates more than 107,000 lawyers who take the oath to uphold the law and to abide by the rules of the Supreme Court.

The Bar Association runs a pro bono directory to give free legal services in Florida. One can visit FloridaLawHelp.org to get free legal information, legal educational materials, and sample forms. This initiative guides citizens to get low-cost legal aid programs. Lawyers volunteer to the website, answer, and provide legal information and advice. Clients receive an email when there is a response. There is The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service. Consumers can connect to trusted, verified attorneys through this public service. 

All lawyers under this service have active and verified Florida licensure and malpractice insurance. There are at least 600 verified attorneys active at any time for consumers. This Referral Service from the Bar Association refers thousands of people to trusted attorneys annually. It operates in most counties in collaboration with local bar associations. The Bar offers 47 consumer pamphlets as a service for clients and consumers. These are not a substitute for hiring a lawyer. But these pamphlets provide basic legal information about the law they cover. Anyone can read or download online versions of these pamphlets before taking a legal service from a law firm or hire a lawyer.

The Florida court system is well-known for its reputed judiciary structure. The Supreme Court, district courts of appeal, circuit courts, and county courts operate within the judiciary system in Florida. Each court has a different role. It is the highest court in the state of Florida. It has 150 years of history behind it. Now it ranks third nationwide. This court’s decisions have helped shape not only Florida itself but also the nation as a whole. Under the Supreme Court, there are five District Courts of Appeal in this state. The purpose of these courts is to provide the opportunity for review of decisions of lower tribunals. These courts correct detrimental errors and ensure that decisions are consistent with citizen’s rights. 

There are 20 judicial circuits in Florida. These are state courts and trial courts of original jurisdiction for most of the controversies. These courts primarily handle felony criminal cases and civil cases where the amount in controversy is greater than $30,000. These courts also hear appeals from county courts. Circuit courts have jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency, domestic relations, probate matters, and juvenile dependency. There is one court in each county of the state. It has 67 counties as well as 67 county courts. These courts are also referred to as ‘the people’s court’. These courts have original jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases. A large part of the courts’ work involves voluminous citizen disputes, violations of county and municipal ordinances, and relatively small monetary disputes. 

Florida has the top four of the law schools in the country. The Bar Association of Florida is also renowned for its actions to protect the public prosecuting the unlicensed practice of law. And the association works hard to assist people who are trying to get information about the legal system. The Florida Bar operates the ACAP (Attorney Consumer Assistance Program). Members of ACAP, including lawyers, handle complaints and try to resolve problems before a complaint is filed. The Bar regulates more than 107,000 lawyers who take the oath to uphold the law and to abide by the rules of the Supreme Court.

The Bar Association runs a pro bono directory to give free legal services in Florida. One can visit FloridaLawHelp.org to get free legal information, legal educational materials, and sample forms. This initiative guides citizens to get low-cost legal aid programs. Lawyers volunteer to the website, answer, and provide legal information and advice. Clients receive an email when there is a response. There is The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service. Consumers can connect to trusted, verified attorneys through this public service. 

All lawyers under this service have active and verified Florida licensure and malpractice insurance. There are at least 600 verified attorneys active at any time for consumers. This Referral Service from the Bar Association refers thousands of people to trusted attorneys annually. It operates in most counties in collaboration with local bar associations. The Bar offers 47 consumer pamphlets as a service for clients and consumers. These are not a substitute for hiring a lawyer. But these pamphlets provide basic legal information about the law they cover. Anyone can read or download online versions of these pamphlets before taking a legal service from a law firm or hire a lawyer.