Florida District Courts of Appeal Overview
Florida’s District Courts of Appeal, hear appeals from civil and criminal matters. “An appellate court is ‘not simply another forum to which the dissatisfied litigant may submit his or her list of grievances in hopes of a more favorable outcome.’” Figueroa v. Kossiver, 336 So. 3d 1260, 1264 (Fla. 5th DCA 2022) (quotation omitted).
“Rather, the question before an appellate court is ‘generally not a question of whether the appellate court agrees or disagrees with the result reached in a particular case, but whether that result was reached in a fair manner and was within the jurisdiction and authority of the court or agency whose decision is being appealed.’” Figueroa, 336 So. 3d at 1264.
The Florida Supreme Court has clearly established “decisions of the district courts of appeal represent the law of Florida unless and until they are overruled by this [c]ourt.” Pardo v. State, 596 So. 2d 665, 666-67 (Fla. 1992). And further “in the absence of inter-district conflict, district court decisions bind all Florida trial courts.” Id.
Trial courts must follow the decisions of the district court in which the trial court is located. Pardo, 596 So. 2d at 666-67. If “the only case on point on a district level is from a district other than the one in which the trial court is located, the trial court [is] required to follow that decision.” Id. However, “as between District Courts of Appeal, a sister district’s opinion is merely persuasive.” Id.
There are six District Courts of Appeal in Florida, located in Tallahassee, Lakeland, Miami, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, and Tampa. The district courts of appeal can hear appeals from final judgments and certain non-final orders entered by circuit courts.
The district courts have the power to review final actions taken by state agencies in carrying out the duties of the executive branch of government. Finally, the district courts have been granted constitutional authority to issue the extraordinary writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus, as well as all other writs necessary to the complete exercise of their jurisdiction.
Any litigant who is displeased with a district court’s ruling may petition (ask) for review in the Florida Supreme Court but the Court is not required to accept the case for further review and most petitions are denied.
Florida Courts of Appeal Websites
The First District Court of Appeal covers the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 14th Judicial Circuits.
The Second District Court of Appeal covers the 6th, 12th, and 13th Judicial Circuits.
The Third District Court of Appeal covers the 11th (Miami-Dade) and 16th Judicial Circuits.
The Fourth District Court of Appeal covers the 15th (Palm Beach), 17th (Broward) and 19th Judicial Circuits.
The Fifth District Court of Appeal covers the 5th, 7th, and 18th Judicial Circuits.
The Sixth District Court of Appeal covers the 9th, 10th, and 20th Judicial Circuits.
The Florida Supreme Court covers the entire state.