As Florida's third largest trial court, the Sixth Judicial Circuit is recognized as one of the most efficient trial courts in the nation. The circuit is also recognized nationally for its automation leadership in support of court operations.

Sixty-nine judges – 45 at the circuit level and 24 in county courts – hear cases in the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The Sixth Circuit is comprised of Pasco and Pinellas Counties and is located on the Central West Coast of Florida.

Of the two counties, Pasco is geographically larger, but smaller in population. In 2010 Pasco County’s resident population exceeded 464,600. Thirteen circuit judges and seven county court judges preside over cases in two judicial facilities, in New Port Richey and Dade City.

The circuit court is Florida's trial court of general jurisdiction. Each of the state's 20 judicial circuits incorporates one or more counties. Circuit courts have exclusive original jurisdiction in all of the following: actions in which the matter in controversy exceeds $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs; proceedings relating to the settlement of estates; guardianship; involuntary hospitalization; determination of incapacity; and other matters concerning court of probate; in all cases in equity including all cases relating to juveniles except traffic offenses. In criminal matters, the circuit courts have original jurisdiction in all felonies and in all misdemeanors arising out of the same circumstances as a felony that is concurrently charged. Also, circuit courts preside over all cases involving the legality of tax assessment, in the actions of ejectment, in all actions involving the titles or boundaries or rights of possession of real property, and in other actions not heard by county court. Family cases such as dissolution of marriage, child custody, visitation, domestic violence, and juvenile dependency cases are all heard in the Circuit Court.

The circuit court handles appeals from the county court except those appeals that may be taken to the district court of appeal.

The county courts are Florida's trial court of limited jurisdiction. A county court exists in each of the 67 counties with the county boundaries serving as the territorial jurisdiction.

The Circuit Civil Division is a court of general jurisdiction for all civil matters that arise out of an issue amounting to $15,000 or more. In 2010, a total of 26,667 civil cases were filed in the Sixth Circuit: 9,148 in Pasco and 17,519 in Pinellas.

The Circuit Criminal Division’s jurisdiction is over all actions, cases and proceedings involving the administration of criminal justice, including all felony cases and misdemeanors arising out of a felony crime. A felony is a crime punishable by a year or more in jail. In 2010, a total of 18,526 criminal cases were filed the circuit: 4,546 in Pasco and 13,980 in Pinellas. 

The Family Division oversees all causes, proceedings and actions related to dissolution of marriage, child custody, child visitation, grandparent proceedings, annulment, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (URESA) and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UFISA), other child support matters, alimony, domestic or foreign order judgment, name change, paternity, adoption, domestic and repeat violence injunctions, separate maintenance, Chapter 39 and 985, Florida Statutes and other proceedings designated by administrative order of the Chief Judge. In 2010, family case filings totaled 19,290 in the circuit: 6,702 in Pasco and 12,588 in Pinellas. An additional 4,356 cases were filed in the Juvenile Dependency section: 271 in Pasco and 4,356 in Pinellas.

The Juvenile Delinquency Division handles all criminal allegations against juveniles, persons under the age of 18, unless the child is certified to adult court. In calendar year 2010, juvenile delinquency matters totaled 21,526 filings: 4,315 in Pasco and 17,211 in Pinellas.

The Civil Sections of County Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction over civil matters not exceeding $15,000, as well as landlord/tenant  matters, small claims, and simplified dissolution of marriages. The 2010 County Civil filings totaled 28,063 cases: 8,348 in Pasco and 19,715 in Pinellas.

The Criminal Section of the County Court handles all misdemeanor cases when there is no allegation of a concurrent felony and all alleged violations of municipal and county ordinances. A misdemeanor is a criminal action that can be punishable by up to one year in jail. In 2010, 7,727 such cases were filed in Pasco County and 26,412 in Pinellas for a circuit total of 28,063.

A more detailed breakdown of the statistics for the most recent calendar year and previous years is available at: http://www.jud6.org/GeneralPublic/Statistics.html