The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-07-09
ARTICLE NJ.
JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT

JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT.
SECTION l. The Judicial power of the State
shall be vested in Supreme Court Circuit
Courts, Criminal Courts, County Courts and
Justices OF the Peace Judges of said courts
shall be appointed by the Governor and con-
trmed by the Senate
SEC. ?. The Supreme Court shall consist of
Chlef-JusIce and two Associate Jusices At
the first session of the Legislature following the
adoption uf this Constitution the said Justices
shall be appointed and confirmed One shall
hold office tor iour years, one for six years and
one for eight years, the Governor, at the time of
appointment designating the term which each
Is TO hold, and designating the ChiefJustice
Upon the expiration of their respective terms
the vacancies shall be filled, and thereafter each
Justice shall hold Office for eight years.
SEC. 3. No person shall ever be appointed "a
Judge of the Supreme Court Circuit Courts
or Criminal Courts who is not twenty-five wears
' oEte 4. Ine maJ0nIy OF The Justices Of the
Supreme Court shall constitute quorum for the
transaction of all business. The concurrence of
two Justices shall be necessary TO a decision.
The number of terms of the Supreme Court and
the time OF holding the same shall be regulated
by law. All terms shall be held at the Capital
of the Stale
SEC 5. The Supreme Court shall have ap-
pellate jurisdiction in all cases at law and in
equity originating in Circuit Courts and of ap-
peal from the Circuit Courts in cases arising be-
pertaining TO their probate jurisdiction, and in
the management of the estates of infants, and
III eases ri conviction OF felony in the criminal
courts, and in all criminal cases originating in
the Circuit Courts The court shall Nave power
10 issue wrI,s OF mandamus, ceriiOrari prohipi-
ton quo warranto, habeas corpus, and also all
wrs necessary or proper to the complete exer-
else OF its jurisdiction. Each of the Justices
shall have power TO issue writs of habeas corpus
to any part of the State upon petition by or on
INoItaf ,,G I,.lI
aud may make such writs relurnabe before
himself or the Supreme Court, or any Justice
thereof, or before any Circuit Judge
SEC g. The Legislature shall have power to
prescribe regulations TOR calling into the Su-
preme Court Judge Of the Circuit Court 10 hear
and determine any matters pending before the
court IN the place of any Justice thereof who
shalt be disqualified or disabled in such case from
interest or other cause.
SEC. T. The Supreme Court shall appoint a
Clerk who shall have his office at the Capital
and shall be Librarian OF the Supreme Court Lii
brary.
SEC. 8. There shall be seven Circuit Judges
who shall hold their Office for eight years The
State shall be divided into seven Judicial Cir
cults, and one Judge shall be assigned to each
Circuit Such Judge shall hold at least two
terms OF his court in each county within his
Circuit each year, at such times and places as
shall be provided by law, and may hold special
terms The GovernOt may, in his discretion or
der temporary exchange of Circuits by the re-
spective Judges, or order any Judge to hold one
or more terms or parts of terms in any other Cir
cult than that 10 which he is assigned The
Judge shall reside in the Circuit of which he is
Judge.
SEC. Q. Until otherwise defined by the Legis-
laiure The several Juiicial Circuits OF the Circuit
Courts shall be as follows:
The First judicial Circuit shall be composed
of the counties of Escambin, Santa Rosa, Wal
ton, Holmes, Washington and Jackson
The Second Judicial Circuit shall be COM
posed of the counties OF Gadsden, Liberty, Cal
houn, Franklin, Leon. Wakulla and Jefferson
The Third Judicial Circuit shall be composed
of the counties of Madison, Taylor, Lafayet,e,
Hamilton, Suwannee and Columbia.
The Fourth Judicial Circuit shall be composed
OF the counties of Nassau, Duval, Baker, Brad
ford. Clay and ST. Johns.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit shall he composed
ot the counties of Putnam, Alachna. Lew. Ma
riOn and Sumter.
The Sixth judicial Circuit shall be composed
OF the counties of fernando, Hilsborouph.
Manatee, Polk and Monroe
The Seventh Judicial Circuit shall be COM
posed OF the counties of Volusia, Brevard,
| Orange and Dade
SEC TO- The Circuit Courts shall have ex-
elusive jurisdiction in all cases in equity, also in
| all cases at law in which the demand or the
value OF the property involved exceeds two
hundred dollars, and in all cases iu uvOlving the
ieBaiy Vi any TAX, assessment, or toll OF the
action OF tlettment and OF all actions involving
the titles or boundaries of real estate and of ali
criminal cases not cogniz able by inferior courts
and original jurisdiction of actions of forcible
entry and unlawful deiainer. and OF such other
matters as the Legislature may provide They
snail nave nnai appellate jurisdiction in all civil
| and CRIMINAL Cases arising in tue County Court
OF ali msdemeanors tried in criminal courIs, and
o Judgments or sentences Of any Mayors
Court, and supervision and appel ate jurisdic-
tion OF matters arising before County Judges
pertaining TO their probate jurisdiction or to the
estates and interests Of minors, and of such
other matters as the Legislature may provide.
The Circuit Courts and Judges shall have
power to issue writs Of mandamus, injunction,
quo warranto, certiorari, prohibition, habeas
corpus and all writs proper and necessary TO the
complete exercise Of their jurisdiction.
| SEC. IL. The Circuit Court and Circuit Judees
may have such extra territorial Jurisdiction in
chaRcery cases as may be prescribed by law.