Circuit Judges hear cases involving criminal felonies, family law, civil cases seeking relief of $50,000.00 or greater, probate, guardianship and mental health, juvenile dependency (child abuse and neglect) and delinquency and appeals for some administrative and noncriminal infractions. 

Judicial candidates are different from other candidates. Judges are not elected to implement policy. They are required to be impartial – to apply the facts of each case to existing law, regardless of their personal policy beliefs.

However, Circuit Court judges have discretion in cases where existing law doesn’t clearly dictate the outcome of a case, and in those cases the judge’s political leanings may influence their decision making. 

Our Voter Guides list all judicial candidates and include publicly available party affiliation information, since it’s a factor to consider. Because most of the Circuit Court candidates have been prosecutors or public defenders, their voter registration information is protected from public view. Where available, we provide other indications of party affiliation.

Other factors you may consider,

1. Prior legal experience
2. Prior experience as a prosecutor or defense attorney or other government work which involves litigation experience
3. Endorsements by the local bar associations, organizations and newspapers
4. Opinions of trusted lawyers on the candidates' legal knowledge, experience and writing and analytical skills

Helpful websites: 

Know Your Courts provides a list of types of cases each judge handles

Guide for Florida Voters is the Florida Bar’s Judicial and Merit Retention Elections FAQ 

American Constitution Society

References to “they,” “them,” and “their” refer to the singular or plural, as applicable, and to all genders.