How the Courts Compare

Florida Supreme Court v. U.S. Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court

United States Supreme Court

• 7 justices
• Governor must appoint from a list of nominees chosen by an independent panel with no confirmation required
• Serve 6-year terms
• Jurisdiction is limited, can’t pick and choose issues 
• Sits continuously throughout the year (except for mid-summer recess), no deadline to have opinions issues.
• Final authority on matters of Florida law

• 9 justices
• President can nominate anyone but confirmation by the Senate is required
• Appointed for life
• Has broad discretion to hear cases but takes only a very small percentage of appeals filed
• Begins year in October, ends in June. Hears cases, decides cases by end of its year
• Final authority on federal constitutional issues

Trial v. Appellate Courts

Trial Courts

Appellate Courts

• one judge
• jury
• lawyers present evidence & witnesses
• most cases begin in trial courts

• more than one judge
• no jury
• focus on matters of law
• do not rehear/retry the case

Federal System v. State System

Federal Court Structure

State Court Structure

• U.S. District Courts (Trial court)
• U.S. Court of Appeals (Appellate Court)
• U.S. Supreme Court (highest Appellate Court)

• County & Circuit courts (Trial court)
• District Courts of Appeal (Appellate Court)
• Florida Supreme Court (highest Appellate Court)

TV Court v. Real Life Courtrooms

Television Court (“reality” TV court shows drama series)

Real Life Courtrooms

• Shows are produced for entertainment and are wrapped up in 30 – 60 minutes.
• “Judges” are paid to act and keep ratings up and can make millions if the show is successful
• Being rude, disrespectful and condescending in OK 
• Parties represent themselves and agree beforehand to accept the decision of the mediator – i.e. the “judge”
• Both parties are paid to be on TV and the TV show pays the losing party for the amount owed

• Judges must follow courtroom rules and procedures
• Judges are not paid to act for ratings but to interpret the law 
• Judges must be fair, impartial and respectful 
• Judicial salaries are set by the Legislative branch and are far below what TV “judges” make
• Representing yourself in court is discouraged
• Trials can vary from hours to months in length depending on the complexity