Legal research for Florida law firms - Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville
By LegiMatch Research Team · Published October 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Short answer: In Florida, a District Court of Appeal decision binds every trial court in the state unless another district has disagreed. So your first research question is whether any DCA has decided your issue, and whether the districts conflict. Since January 1, 2023, Florida has six DCAs, so check which one now covers your county.
Florida's courts
| Court | Role |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court of Florida (Tallahassee) | Highest court; resolves conflicts between districts |
| District Courts of Appeal (six districts since 2023) | Intermediate appeals |
| Circuit courts (20 judicial circuits) | General trial courts |
| County courts | Smaller civil claims, misdemeanors, traffic |
Two district boundaries that are easy to remember:
- Third DCA - Miami-Dade and Monroe counties
- Fourth DCA - Broward and Palm Beach counties, plus the Treasure Coast (St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee)
The Sixth DCA was created on January 1, 2023, and several counties moved between districts. For Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and other areas, confirm the current district on the Florida courts' website, especially when you read older decisions that came from a district which no longer covers your county.
When another district's decision binds you
Under Pardo v. State, 596 So. 2d 665 (Fla. 1992), a DCA decision binds all Florida trial courts as long as no other district has ruled differently. If the districts conflict, a trial court follows its own district. So a Tampa trial judge must follow a Third DCA decision on a point that no other district has addressed.
That makes thorough statewide research valuable: one on-point decision from any district can carry the day.
PCA decisions
Many Florida appeals end with a PCA ("per curiam affirmed") - an affirmance without an opinion. A PCA doesn't explain its reasoning and isn't precedent for any rule of law. When you find a PCA with facts like yours, look for a written opinion on the same issue instead.
Florida citations
- So. 3d - Southern Reporter, Third Series, the main reporter for Florida decisions
- Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.800 sets Florida's citation forms, for example Pardo v. State, 596 So. 2d 665 (Fla. 1992), and "(Fla. 3d DCA 2020)" for a Third District decision.
Florida Statutes and the federal courts
The official text of the Florida Statutes is on the Legislature's site, Online Sunshine (leg.state.fl.us).
Florida has three federal districts:
| District | Main cities |
|---|---|
| Southern District of Florida | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach |
| Middle District of Florida | Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Ocala |
| Northern District of Florida | Tallahassee, Pensacola, Gainesville, Panama City |
Federal appeals go to the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta.
A fact-first workflow for Florida matters
Florida's busiest practice areas - premises liability, auto accidents, insurance disputes, condominium and HOA matters - are fact-driven. A fact-first search helps:
- Describe the facts in plain English. Example: "A shopper in a Miami supermarket slipped on liquid near the entrance during a rainstorm. There was no mat and no warning sign, and the store says it didn't know about the liquid."
- Limit to Florida, and add federal decisions if the case is in federal court.
- Read written opinions first, and set PCAs aside.
- Check treatment and conflicts between districts.
- Read the statute at issue (for a business premises slip-and-fall, section 768.0755, Florida Statutes) as in force on the relevant date.
LegiMatch returns up to 100 similar decisions for each matter, ranked by a match score that shows how much facts, legal issues, statutes, jurisdiction and recency contributed. Results are real decisions linked to the court's text, and the tool can't invent citations. It supports your research and doesn't give legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Third DCA decision binding in Orlando?
Yes, if no other District Court of Appeal has ruled differently on the point. If the districts conflict, the trial court follows its own district.
Can I cite a PCA?
A PCA has no written opinion and isn't precedent for a rule of law. It's rarely useful as authority.
How many District Courts of Appeal does Florida have?
Six, since the Sixth District Court of Appeal began operating on January 1, 2023.
Where can I read the Florida Statutes for free?
On Online Sunshine, the Florida Legislature's official website (leg.state.fl.us).
Sources
- Pardo v. State, 596 So. 2d 665 (Fla. 1992)
- Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.800
- Florida Courts, District Courts of Appeal (flcourts.gov)
- Online Sunshine, the Florida Statutes (leg.state.fl.us)
- United States Courts, court locator (uscourts.gov)
This article is general information about legal research, not legal advice. Verify every authority before relying on it.
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