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.
This is the definition of the Florida Constitution as stated in the Florida Legislature’s website.

3. Comparing Constitutions
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
What are the differences between a state and a federal constitution? Highlight that the US Constitution provides for the structure and function of our federal government and the Florida Constitution provides for the structure and function of our state government. Highlight other differences.

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
Highlight an outline of the Florida Constitution. Note that Articles are general categories within the Constitution. Sort of like chapters in a book. Mention that the Florida Constitution has a preamble statement, twelve articles and over one hundred amendments (since 1970). Emphasize again that the Florida Constitution addresses the structure and function of state government while the US Constitution addresses the structure and function of the federal government. Highlight differences between the state and federal constitutions such as Article IX of the Florida Constitution (education). The word education does not appear in the federal constitution. Address similarities between the two documents as well such as the three branches of government.

5. Constitutions v. Statutes
What is the difference between a constitution and a statute?
Constitution of the State of Florida
Generally, constitutions are of a more permanent and general nature. There are specific processes to amend constitutions. Voters ultimately decide in Florida what changes are made. Statutes (state laws) are typically more specific and detailed and may change annually through the legislative process (how a bill becomes a law). Statutes are intended to be changed over time in response to current issues impacting the state.
While changes to a state constitution may at times be warranted, it is important to recognize that state statutes may sometimes be better suited for addressing some issues.
According to the Florida Legislature, Florida statutes are a permanent collection of state laws organized by subject area into a code made up of titles, chapters, parts, and sections. The Florida Statutes are updated annually by laws that create, amend, transfer, or repeal statutory material.
In a 1993 Florida Supreme Court decision, Justice Parker Lee McDonald stated:
“The legal principles in the state constitution inherently command a higher status than any other legal rules in our society. By transcending time and changing political mores, the constitution is a document that provides stability in the law and society's consensus on general, fundamental values. Statutory law, on the other hand, provides a set of legal rules that are specific, easily amended, and adaptable to the political, economic, and social changes of our society.”

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

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

9. Article V of the Florida Constitution
ANSWER:
Article V of the Florida Constitution
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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
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12. Judicial Salaries
Identify the branch of government responsible for determining the salaries of judges.
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch

13. The Legislative Branch
ANSWER:
The Legislative Branch
All justices and judges shall be compensated only by state salaries fixed by general law.
Article V Section 14(a)
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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. District Courts of Appeal
ANSWER:
FL Supreme Court
District Courts of Appeal
Circuit Courts
County Courts
The Florida Supreme Court and the District Courts of Appeal.
Article V Section 1
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16. Retirement
According to the Florida Constitution, what is the mandatory retirement age for judges in Florida? 16

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
Identify when this takes effect; what the age was prior to the constitutional amendment, and how this became a constitutional amendment.
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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. C. The Judicial Qualifications Commission
ANSWER:
C. The Judicial Qualifications Commission
Article V Section 12
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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. C. The Florida Supreme Court
ANSWER:
C. The Florida Supreme Court
Article V Section 3b(1)
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22. Who divides the state into appellate districts and judicial circuits?
What do you think?
Who divides the state into appellate districts and judicial circuits? 22

23. ANSWER:
The Legislature divides the state into appellate districts and judicial circuits.
Article V Section 1
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24. Supreme Court Justices
How does the Florida Constitution ensure that justices on the Supreme Court come from different areas of the state? 24

25. ANSWER: Article V Section 3 (a) provides geographic requirements.
Bonus! What are the requirements?
Of the seven justices, each appellate district shall have at least one justice elected or appointed from the district to the supreme court who is a resident of the district at the time of the original appointment or election. 
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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? 26

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.
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28. Choose your Final Exam Question:

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