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 hear cases in the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Forty-five circuit judges and twenty-four county judges are assigned to this circuit. The Sixth Judicial 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 2005 Pasco County had a resident population of 406,857. There are eleven circuit judges, seven county court judges, in two judicial facilities in this county.

Pinellas County's population far exceeds Pasco's population with a resident population of 941,744 in 2005. Pinellas County Courts consist of thirty-four circuit court judges, seventeen county court judges, and five court facilities.

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. Thirty-four circuit judges are assigned in Pinellas County and eleven circuit judges are assigned in Pasco County.

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

County courts have original jurisdiction in all criminal misdemeanor cases where there is not a concurrent felony, and in all violations of municipal and county ordinances. In civil matters, county courts have original jurisdiction in all actions of law in which the matter in controversy does not exceed the sum of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and which is not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the circuit courts. County court judges also serve as committing magistrates. There are seventeen county judges in Pinellas County with an additional seven judges in Pasco County.

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 calendar year 1998 a total of 10,428 cases were filed in the Sixth Circuit.

The Circuit Criminal Division is a court with jurisdiction 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 calendar year 1998 a total of 14,824 cases were filed in this circuit.

The Family Division oversees all suits, causes, proceedings or actions related to dissolution of marriage, child custody, child visitation, grandparent proceedings, annulment, URESA or UFISA, child support, 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 calendar year 1998, 16,200 family cases were filed with an additional 4,854 cases in the Juvenile Dependency section.

The Juvenile Delinquency Division handles all criminal matters committed by juveniles, persons under the age of 18, unless the child is certified to adult court. In calendar year 1998, 29,853 of these types of cases were filed.

The Probate and Guardianship Division handles all cases related to estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health. These include cases in the mental health area such as Involuntary Commitment, Development Disabilities, Drug or Alcohol Abuse and Elder Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation. In calendar year 1998, 10,198 cases were filed in the circuit.

The Civil Section of the County Court is a trial court of limited jurisdiction of civil matters not exceeding $15,000, as well as matters of landlord and tenant, small claims, and simplified dissolution of marriages. In calendar year 1998, 16,652 cases were filed in Pinellas and 5,761 in Pasco.

The Criminal Section of the County Court handles all misdemeanor cases where there is not a concurrent felony, and all violations of municipal and county ordinances. A misdemeanor is a criminal action that can be punishable by up to one year in jail. In calendar year 1998, 30,140 cases were filed in Pinellas and 3,921 in Pasco County.

The Traffic Section of the County Court is comprised of two types of offenses, Civil and Criminal. The difference between them is civil traffic offenses may be punishable with a fine, while criminal traffic offense are punishable with possible jail time. In calendar year 1998, there were 123,922 civil offenses and 22,809 criminal offenses filed in Pinellas with 41,220 civil offenses and 5,194 criminal offenses filed in Pasco.