Why courts are vitally important to everyone in Florida
Our courts protect democracy by upholding the law, protecting individual rights and liberties, enforcing public order, and providing for a peaceful resolution of disputes. More than 4 million new cases are filed each year impacting every aspect of society. Our courts safeguard victims’ rights, determine guilt or innocence of the accused, and impose appropriate punishment. Crime hurts everyone. It results in physical and emotional injury, loss of life, lost wages, higher insurance premiums, higher business expenses, and degradation of quality of life within our communities. Last year, more than 1.3 million criminal cases were filed. Everyone in our state is affected. Our courts resolve personal, business, and property disputes. The business community is a major user of the justice system. Last year there were more than 2.2 million civil cases filed. Our courts protect families, children, the elderly and the infirm. Nearly 462,000 cases are filed each year involving the young, the old, a...