The Sixth Judicial Circuit includes Pinellas and Pasco counties. The courts are comprised of 69 judges, 45 for circuit and 24 for county.
In Pinellas, 33 circuit court judges and 17 county court judges oversee cases in five court facilities in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. County court judges also serve as magistrates.
Circuit court hears cases with original jurisdiction in matters that exceed $15,000, estate settlements, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, the legality of a tax assessment, titles and boundaries or rights of possession of real property and other actions not heard by county court.
Circuit court also hears family cases like dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, domestic violence and juvenile dependency.
County court hears all criminal misdemeanor cases where there is not also a felony and in all violations of city and county ordinances. County courts have original jurisdiction in all civil matters in which the matter in controversy does not exceed the sum of $15,000 and is not in the scope of the circuit courts.