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Florida Case Law

This guide describes the structure of the state courts in Florida and explains how to find, validate, and cite court decisions.

Rule 9.800: Florida's "Uniform System of Citation"

In state court proceedings, the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure provide that lawyers are to "use the uniform citation system prescribed by rule 9.800" of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

 

Rule 9.800 Citation Examples

1887-present: Fenelon v. State, 594 So. 2d 292 (Fla. 1992).

1846-1886: Livingston v. L’Engle, 22 Fla. 427 (1886).

Buncayo v. Dribin, 533 So. 2d 935 (Fla. 3d DCA 1988).

Sotolongo v. State, 530 So. 2d 514 (Fla. 2d DCA 1988).

State v. Ruoff, 17 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 619 (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct. Feb. 13, 2010).

Gables Ins. Recovery v. Progressive Am. Ins. Co., 22 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 637 (Miami-Dade Cty. Ct. Oct. 8, 2014).

Citing FL Cases in Federal Court

In federal court proceedings, follow the Bluebook, unless a specific court rule directs otherwise.

  • Florida Supreme Court decision (same as Rule 9.800): 

Am. Home Assurance Co. v. Nat'l R.R. Passenger Co., 908 So. 2d 459 (Fla. 2005).

  • Florida District Court of Appeal decision (note that the court abbreviation differs from Rule 9.800):

Abbott Labs., Inc. v. Gen. Elec. Capital, 765 So. 2d 737 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2000).

  • Florida Circuit Court abbreviation also differs from Rule 9.800 in that the Bluebook omits the circuit number: e.g., (Fla. Cir. Ct. <year>)
  • Florida County Court abbreviation also differs slightly from Rule 9.800 in that the Bluebook does not abbreviate the word "County":  e.g., (Fla. Orange County Ct. <year>)
Subjects: Florida law