All Brevard and Seminole Courthouses are closed Thursday October 3rd in observance of Rosh Hashanah
Additionally the clerk’s office will also be closed in Brevard and Seminole county for training purposes.
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts
Serving the Citizens of Brevard and Seminole Counties

Attorney Resources

Scheduling instructions, provider listings, policies and procedures, and much more.

Policies & Procedures

Review Judges Policies and Procedures for Attorneys

Self-Help

Representing yourself Pro-Se. Find resources and more here.

Jury Duty

Brevard: (321) 637-5413 | Website
Seminole: (407) 665-4500 | Website

Our Court Programs

Our Circuit and County courts are dedicated to consistently resolving judicial matters in a timely and efficient manner while upholding the laws and regulations provided by the legal system with integrity and impartiality.

Adult Drug Court

This program unites the judiciary, criminal justice entities, treatment providers, and the community helping nonviolent offenders.

Dependency Court

The Juvenile Dependency Court that has the responsibility for hearing cases involving abused, neglected or abandoned children.

Digital Court Reporting

The general public may have access to digitally recorded court proceedings unless deemed confidential by judge.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Court addresses assault, battery, abuse, kidnapping, false imprisonment by family member.

Early Childhood Court

Brevard County Early Childhood Court (ECC) is for young children and their families involved in allegations of abuse or neglect.

Family Court

Comprehensive approach to handling all cases involving children and families, while resolving family disputes in a timely manner.

Foreclosure Court

Florida law specifies how foreclosures work, and both federal and state laws give you rights and protections throughout the process.

Interpreter Program

Providing qualified interpreters to limited-English-proficient and deaf persons in order to eliminate communication barriers.

Juvenile Drug Court

This program unites the judiciary, criminal justice entities, treatment providers, and the community helping nonviolent offenders.

Mediation Programs

A court-appointed mediator will help parties negotiate issues and settlement in their civil or family case.

Online Dispute Resolution-Small Claims

An online platform for small claims and debt collection cases that assist parties in negotiating settlement via messaging.

Probate & Guardianship

Settlement of the estates, wills, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, and determination of competency.

Pro Bono

The pro bono opportunities outlined represent just a few areas where attorneys can use their legal skills in service to our community.

Represent Yourself

Also known as Pro Se or Self-Help, is representing yourself in a legal procedure without the aid of an attorney that applies to civil law.

Self-Improvement

Links providing alternative self-improvement programs such as drug & alcohol therapy, anger management, driving courses, etc.

Therapy Dog Program

The Chief Judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit authorized therapy animals to assist in proceedings.

Traffic Courts

Traffic Court currently offers Civil Traffic Infraction hearings in person with the option to appear via video conference for any party.

Veterans Court

Provides an inter-agency, collaborative, non-adversarial therapeutic justice program for American Veterans.

Court Resources & Services

Attorneys in both Brevard and Seminole have the resources offering many new facets of modern technology including but not limited to online scheduling, instructions, provider listings, policies and procedures, and much more.

There are courtroom rules and policies governing all divisions of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court. All parties are expected to follow these rules. Click Courtroom Rules button below to review these rules.

Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts

18th Judicial

Administrative Orders

Administrative Orders are provided here in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF). Administrative Orders are available online only for orders from 1999 to the present.
Brevard

Case Management

This Brevard Courts area provides instructions to attorneys on how to submit case management plans, orders, etc.
18th Judicial

Dockets & Calendars

Brevard uses both the Judicial Automatic Calendar System (JACs) and a non-automated calendaring system.
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Courtroom Equipment

The Court provides the use of courtroom technology as a courtesy to legal professionals and court participants.
18th Judicial

Pro Bono

The pro bono opportunities outlined within represent just a few areas where attorneys can use their legal skills in service to our community. 
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Employment

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, etc.
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e-Notify

e-Notify was developed through a collaborative effort between the Florida State Courts System, the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers, the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation, and the Legislature.

Resources for Brevard & Seminole Counties

18th Judicial

Policies and Procedures

Procedural instructions for attorneys along with policies that may differ within the guidelines of the law between judges and county or circuit courts.
Seminole

Case Management

This Seminole Courts area provides instructions to attorneys on how to submit case management plans, orders, etc.
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Provider Listings

This area provides attorneys with arbitrator listings, registries, expert witness providers, orders, rates, policies, and more.
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Process Servers

This area provides lists of Process Servers, applications, etc. Certified Process Servers are NOT employees of the Eighteenth.
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Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Compliance

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Brevard

Self-Improvement

Self-Improvement course links offered by other Florida State Agencies that is open to all Florida Citizens.
18th Judicial

Videos to Assist Litigants

On this page, you will find videos that provide rules and guidance for self-represented litigants who will appear in a virtual court hearing and who are representing themselves in a case in Florida’s trial courts.

Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts

Our Mission

We want you to have the utmost confidence in our court system and are committed to providing you with information and access to the courts in an innovative and efficient manner. 

Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts

Our Mission

We want you to have the utmost confidence in our court system and are committed to providing you with information and access to the courts in an innovative and efficient manner. Whether you are a citizen, litigant, defendant or attorney, the resources on this website will be of assistance to you and helpful in your interaction with the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

All of our judges are committed to upholding the tremendous trust you have placed in us, and your comments about our website and operations are always welcomed. We hope to hear from you as we continue to look for ways to improve this website and our court programs.

Respectfully,

Charlie Crawford
Chief Judge

History of the 18th

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit was created by the legislature in 1967 and is composed of Brevard and Seminole Counties. Prior to that time, Brevard and Seminole were part of the Ninth Circuit.

Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts

Our History

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit was created by the legislature in 1967 and is composed of Brevard and Seminole Counties. Prior to that time, Brevard and Seminole were part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit along with Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, and St. Lucie Counties. Prior to the organizational change in the court system which occurred in 1972, the Eighteenth Circuit had a variety of courts including the Circuit Court, the Court of Record of Brevard County, the Brevard County Magistrate's Court, County Judge's Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts and a Small Claims Court. Additionally, each municipality had a Municipal Court.

The Circuit Court in Brevard County had jurisdiction to try capital cases and civil actions not cognizable in the County Judge's Court or the Magistrate's Court. In Seminole County the Circuit Court had jurisdiction to try all felony cases, including capital cases, and civil actions not cognizable in the County Court or the Small Claims Court. The Court of Record in Brevard County was a criminal court that tried all criminal cases except capital cases.

The reorganization of the court system in Florida in 1972 caused many of the courts to be abolished and resulted in statewide uniformity. The only trial courts remaining after the reorganization were the Circuit Court and the County Court. The judges of the abolished courts in Brevard County became Circuit Judges.

The population of the Circuit has grown substantially since 1972 due to the influence of the space program in Brevard County and the effects Disney World has had in Seminole County. In 1973, there were 13 Circuit Judges and 5 County Court Judges. Currently, there are 26 Circuit Judges and 17 County Court Judges.

Presently, the County Court has jurisdiction to try criminal cases classified as misdemeanors, civil actions where the amount in controversy is less than $30,000, small claims cases, landlord and tenant disputes and other miscellaneous actions. The Circuit Court is the state trial court of general jurisdiction. It has jurisdiction to try criminal cases which are classified as felonies, including capital cases; civil actions where the amount in controversy is $30,000 or greater and cases which do not traditionally involve juries such as probate of estates, mortgage foreclosures, juvenile cases, injunctions, dissolution of marriage actions and adoptions.

On January 1, 2023, the jurisdiction of county courts will be increased to include claims up to $50,000.00. This will give the circuit courts jurisdiction over any claims where the amount in controversy is in excess of $50,000.00. This law does not impact the jurisdictional limits of small claims court.

The 18th Circuit has a large geographical area with over eighty miles between the main courthouse in Viera (Melbourne) and the Criminal Justice Center in Sanford. There are a total of six courthouses in the circuit with main facilities located at Viera and Sanford.

Speakers Bureau

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit’s Speakers Bureau provides an opportunity for the citizens of Brevard and Seminole Counties to become acquainted with the judiciary. 

Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts

Speakers Bureau

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit’s Speakers Bureau provides an opportunity for the citizens of Brevard and Seminole Counties to become acquainted with the judiciary. Judges and court officials are available to speak to audiences free of charge on a variety of court related issues.

Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct prevents our speakers from addressing some special interest groups. However, judges are permitted to address most civic groups, social organizations, professional associations, schools, and service clubs.

The judges of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit look forward to meeting with your group to increase public understanding of the Court’s role in a free society.

To request a speaker, or for assistance identifying topics of interest to your audience, call or write:

Court Administration
2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, Florida 32940
(321) 637-5355
speakers@flcourts18.org

Court Administration
301 North Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771-1292
(407) 655-4200
seminole.speakers@flcourts18.org

Our Commitment to the Community

To Our Website Visitors:

Chief Judge Charles G. CrawfordAs Chief Judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website. Here you will find information about Brevard and Seminole County judges, courthouse locations, court programs, phone directories, checklists, forms, and more.

The judiciary is an independent and coequal branch of government, designed to protect rights and liberties, uphold and interpret the law, and provide for the peaceful resolution of disputes. To fulfill this mission, our judges and staff understand we must also be good stewards of state funding. In an era of increasing workloads and limited resources, we must develop innovative programs and implement responsive policies to meet the changing needs of our legal system.

We want you to have the utmost confidence in our court system and are committed to providing you with information and access to the courts in an innovative and efficient manner. Whether you are a citizen, litigant, defendant or attorney, the resources on this website will be of assistance to you and helpful in your interaction with the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

All of our judges are committed to upholding the tremendous trust you have placed in us, and your comments about our website and operations are always welcomed. We hope to hear from you as we continue to look for ways to improve this website and our court programs.

Respectfully,

Charles Crawford Signed

Chief Judge

Office of Chief Judge

All 20 Florida Circuits Elect Chief Judges

As established in Rule 2.215 of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits is administered by a Chief Judge who is elected by a majority of the judges in the circuit for a term of two years.

Chief Judge responsibilities include: carrying out the orders of the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court; administration and supervision of the courts, judges, and officers of the courts within the judicial circuit; developing and implementing plans for the efficient operation of the courts that provide prompt disposition of cases, assignment of judges and staff, control of dockets, regulation and use of courtrooms, and review of the status of inmates in local jails.

View Case Management Administrative Orders, video tutorial on how to properly complete and submit Case Management Plan/Orders, and more. Please ensure you are utilizing the most recent Case Management Plan and Case Management Order. Click here to view Civil Case Management Orders & Forms (Updated on 4/16/2024)
Case Management Plan/Orders