District Courts of Appeal
Florida's district courts of appeal hear appeals from trial court cases and other matters within their jurisdiction to correct harmful errors and to promote clarity and consistency in the law by publishing opinions that set precedents. Most trial court decisions that are appealed are reviewed by three-judge panels at the district courts of appeal. As a general rule, decisions of the district courts of appeal represent the final appellate review of litigated cases.
Organization
Florida has six district courts of appeal. Each district court has a chief judge who is the administrative officer for the district and is responsible to the chief justice of the supreme court. Each district court also has a clerk and a marshal who provide operational assistance to their respective chief judges.
- First District Court of Appeal is located in Tallahassee and hears cases from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 14th circuits.
- Second District Court of Appeal is located in Tampa and hears cases from the 6th, 12th, and 13th circuits.
- Third District Court of Appeal is located in Miami and hears cases from the 11th and 16th circuits.
- Fourth District Court of Appeal is located in West Palm Beach and hears cases from the 15th, 17th and 19th circuits.
- Fifth District Court of Appeal is located in Daytona Beach and hears cases from the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 18th circuits.
- Sixth District Court of Appeal is located in Lakeland and hears cases from the 9th, 10th, and 20th circuits.
More information about the administration of Florida's courts is available in the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, which are maintained by The Florida Bar.
Jurisdiction
Florida's district courts of appeal decide appeals from circuit court cases as well as many administrative law appeals based on actions by the executive branch. In addition, the district courts must review county court decisions that invalidate a provision of the Florida Constitution or statutes and may review decisions of a county court that are certified to be of great public importance. Since 2021, appeals of county court decisions on criminal and most civil cases are now heard in the district courts instead of the circuit courts.
The district courts have constitutional authority to issue the extraordinary writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus, as well as all other writs necessary to complete the exercise of their jurisdiction.