The Job

The People's Court

County court is the first level of a four-tier judicial system in Florida and generally handles smaller cases involving less serious offenses. As such, county courts are often referred to as “The People’s Court” and to many, may represent a citizen’s first encounter with our justice system.

County courts hear and decide both criminal and civil matters. Criminal cases at the County court level are limited to those involving misdemeanors, provided the circuit court has no authority, and which carry a possible penalty of one year or less in jail. Civil cases -- those where one citizen claims damages against another -- are limited to claims of less than $15,000. County courts also handle violations of municipal ordinances.

County judges are elected to six-year terms. Pinellas County currently has 17 serving county judges.

Qualifications and Election to Office

A candidate for the office of County Court Judge in Pinellas County must be a resident of the county, and an attorney who has been a member of the Florida Bar for at least five years.

Contested county judge races are decided on primary election ballots, unless there are three or more candidates and none succeeds in garnering over 50% of the vote. In that event, the top two finishers from the primary ballot move forward to the general election ballot for a final “runoff” election.

In 2010, the Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 24th and the General Election on Tuesday, November 2nd.