Florida Courts Scavenger Hunt

1. Florida Courts Scavenger Hunt The Courts and the Constitution of the State of Florida

2. Defining the Constitution of the State of Florida The Florida Legislature website defines the Florida Constitution as an organized system of fundamental principles for the government of the state. It is of a permanent and general nature and originates from the people rather than from the Legislature.

3. U.S. Constitution • Sets up the structure of federal government • Limits the powers of the government • Bill of Rights • Outlines two amendment processes • Highest law in the United States • Florida Constitution • Sets up the structure of state government • Limits the powers of the state government • Declaration of Rights • Outlines five amendment processes • Highest state law in Florida Comparing Constitutions

4. Provisions of the Florida Constitution • Preamble • Article I: Declaration of Rights • Article II: General Provisions • Article III: Legislature • Article IV: Executive • Article V: Judiciary • Article VI: Suffrage and Elections • Article VII: Finance and Taxation • Article VIII: Local Government • Article IX: Education • Article X: Miscellaneous • Article XI: Amendments • Article XII: Schedule

5. Constitutions v. Statutes Constitution of the State of Florida What is the difference between a constitution and a statute?

6. The hunt is on! Using the Constitution of the State of Florida, work in teams to find the answer to the question in each category. Be sure to cite where the answer is found!

7. THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION QUALIFICATIONS OF JUDGES RETIREMENT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH JURISDICTION JUDICIAL BEHAVIOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICES JUDICIAL SALARIES JUDICIAL DUTIES THE COURTS FINAL EXAM

8. The Florida Constitution What Article in the Florida Constitution establishes the judicial branch?

9. ANSWER: Article V of the Florida Constitution Return to the map

10. Judicial Duties In addition to their judicial duties, judges and justices can: A. Practice law part-time B. Hold office in a political party C. Serve as corporate counsel D. All of the above E. A and C only F. None of the above

11. ANSWER: F. None of the above. Article V Section 13 Return to the map

12. Judicial Salaries Identify the branch of government responsible for determining the salaries of judges. • Executive Branch • Judicial Branch • Legislative Branch

13. ANSWER: The Legislative Branch All justices and judges shall be compensated only by state salaries fixed by general law. Article V Section 14(a) Return to the map

14. The Courts The Florida Constitution established four levels of courts in Florida. These include county courts and circuit courts as well as two others. Name the two other levels of courts in Florida.

15. ANSWER: FL Supreme Court The Florida Supreme Court and the District Courts of Appeal. Article V Section 1 District Courts of Appeal Circuit Courts Return to the map County Courts

16. Retirement According to the Florida Constitution, what is the mandatory retirement age for judges in Florida?

17. ANSWER: :No justice or judge shall serve after attaining the age of seventy-five years except upon temporary assignment. See Article V Section 8 Return to the map

18. Discipline Who investigates and recommends to the Florida Supreme Court the removal from office or discipline of any judge? A. The Governor B. The Chief Justice C. The Judicial Qualifications Commission D. The Judicial Nominating Commission

19. ANSWER: C. The Judicial Qualifications Commission Article V Section 12 Return to the map

20. Jurisdiction Which court hears appeals from final judgments of trial courts imposing the death penalty? A. Circuit Court B. District Courts of Appeal C. Florida Supreme Court

21. ANSWER: C. The Florida Supreme Court Article V Section 3b(1) Return to the map

22. What do you think? Who divides the state into appellate districts and judicial circuits?

23. ANSWER: The Legislature divides the state into appellate districts and judicial circuits. Article V Section 1 Return to the map

24. Supreme Court Justices How does the Florida Constitution ensure that justices on the Supreme Court come from different areas of the state?

25. ANSWER: Article V Section 3 (a) provides geographic requirements. Bonus! What are the requirements? Return to the map

26. Qualifications of Judges According to the Florida Constitution, how many years must an attorney have been a member of The Florida Bar to be eligible to serve as a circuit judge? A Supreme Court justice?

27. ANSWER: Article V Section 8 of the Florida Constitution states that no person is eligible for the office of circuit judge unless the person is, and has been for the preceding five years, a member of the Bar of Florida. The office of Supreme Court justice, ten years. Return to the map

28. Choose your Final Exam Question: FINAL EXAM 1 FINAL EXAM 2

29. Final Exam When a justice or judge qualifies for retention, the ballot shall read substantially as follows: “Shall Justice (or Judge)   (name of justice or judge)   of the   (name of the court)   be retained in office?” If a majority of the qualified electors voting within the territorial jurisdiction of the court vote to retain, the justice or judge shall be retained for a term of _______ years.

30. ANSWER: Six (6) Article V Section 10 (a) Return to the final exam

31. Final Exam Who has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the admission of persons to the practice of law and the discipline of persons admitted? A. The Florida Bar B. The Legislature C. The Florida Supreme Court D. The Governor

32. ANSWER: The Supreme Court of Florida Article V Section 15 Return to the final exam

33. Well done! • You did a GREAT JOB!!!