Florida Law
Florida residents are subject to Florida state and U.S. federal laws. Federal laws apply in Florida as they do across all 50 states. In addition to the U.S. Constitution, which is the supreme law of the U.S., federal laws include statutes that are periodically codified in the U.S. Code. Federal laws also include decisions by courts that interpret federal laws. Finally, federal laws include regulations issued by federal administrative agencies to implement federal laws. You can explore federal laws and related resources by visiting the federal law section of the Justia site.
The state of Florida also has its own state laws. Florida state laws include the Florida Constitution, laws passed by the Florida legislature and periodically codified in the Florida Statutes, and decisions by courts that interpret Florida laws.
The current version of the Florida Constitution was adopted in 1968 and consists of 12 articles. Florida provides more ways to amend the Constitution than any other state. Article XI outlines the processes for amending the Florida Constitution. These include ballot initiatives under Section 3 and constitutional convention proposals based on ballot initiatives under Section 4. The Florida Legislature also can place a proposed amendment on a ballot under Section 1 if 60 percent of each chamber of the legislature votes in its favor. Other ways to amend the Florida Constitution start with proposals by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission under Section 2 and the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission under Section 6. Once an amendment is on a ballot, it must receive 60 percent of the votes, or more in some cases.
The Florida Statutes contain the laws passed by the Florida legislature. These laws and the provisions of the Florida Constitution are often interpreted by the Florida Supreme Court and the five Florida District Courts of Appeal. Three federal district courts in Florida also issue decisions that may affect Florida residents. These are the Northern, Middle, and Southern District Courts of Florida. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals holds the authority to review decisions by federal district courts in Florida. Sometimes the U.S. Supreme Court may review a case that has been appealed from the Eleventh Circuit or from the Florida Supreme Court.
Florida Constitution
Florida Statutes
- 2019 Florida Statutes
- 2018 Florida Statutes
- 2017 Florida Statutes
- 2016 Florida Statutes
- 2015 Florida Statutes
- 2014 Florida Statutes
- 2013 Florida Statutes
- 2012 Florida Statutes
- 2011 Florida Statutes
- 2010 Florida Statutes
- 2009 Florida Statutes
- 2008 Florida Statutes
- 2007 Florida Statutes
- 2006 Florida Statutes
- 2005 Florida Statutes
- 2004 Florida Statutes
- 2003 Florida Statutes
- 2002 Florida Statutes
- 2001 Florida Statutes
- 2000 Florida Statutes
- 1999 Florida Statutes
- 1998 Florida Statutes
- 1997 Florida Statutes
Florida Case Law
- Florida Supreme Court Decisions
- Florida First District Court of Appeal Decisions
- Florida Second District Court of Appeal Decisions
- Florida Third District Court of Appeal Decisions
- Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal Decisions
- Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal Decisions
