Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Many Article V Trial Courts Funding Issues Still Need to Be Resolved

Report 01-54, November 2001




Report Summary

Article V of the Florida Constitution establishes the judicial branch of state government and defines the elements of the state courts system, including trial and appeals courts.

In 1998, voters passed Revision 7 to Article V, which directs the state to pay for "essential elements" of the trial courts system; counties previously paid for some of these functions. The Legislature is to review the major components of the courts system to prepare the state to assume additional costs by 2004.

  • Several factors make it difficult to identify the costs of implementing Revision 7.
  • The essential elements of the trial courts system have not yet been defined.
  • There is no accurate, reliable expenditure data for the numerous components of the trial courts system.
  • There is a lack of reliable and accurate data on the assessment, collection, and disbursal of court fine and fee revenues, which help fund the courts system.
  • A statewide data system has not been developed to provide information within and between circuits.


Related Reports
  1. Clerk and Court State Funded Court-Related 2009-10 Fiscal Year Budget Information
    Report 10-11A January 2010
  2. Little Duplication in Court-Related Services; Clerk/Court Cooperation Should Be Improved
    Report 10-11 January 2010
  3. Lack of Uniform Definitions Complicates Funding Article V Based on the Number of Cases Worked
    Report 03-24 March 2003
  4. Guardian Ad Litem Placement May Shift for Reasons of Funding and Conflict of Interest
    Report 02-10 February 2002
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
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