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.