Which level of court primarily deals with civil and criminal cases at the local level in Florida?

The level of court that primarily deals with civil and criminal cases at the local level in Florida is the County Court. County Courts handle various cases, including misdemeanor criminal offenses, small civil disputes, and certain traffic violations. Their jurisdiction is limited in comparison to higher courts, as they typically take on cases that involve lower monetary values and less severe offenses.

In contrast, the Circuit Court has more broad and serious jurisdiction, handling felonies, larger civil cases, and appeals from the County Courts, while the District Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court focus on reviewing decisions from lower courts rather than addressing cases directly at the trial level. This structure allows the legal system to process cases more efficiently and ensures that more significant matters are escalated to the appropriate higher courts.