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Funding Justice Introduction

new listing button Stabilizing Revenues for the State Courts System and Clerks of Court:  Recommendations of the Revenue Stabilization Workgroup

The need for sufficient and stable funding of Florida’s courts is a constant one, but in recent years this need has become more urgent.

The recession that gripped the United States forced significant cuts in funding justice logocourt budgets and staff positions - even as Florida’s citizens and businesses turned to the courts in greater numbers. In response, the Judicial Branch developed a set of Seven Principles to guide the solutions for long-term funding stability of the courts. The Legislature made substantial progress in implementing the Seven Principles in 2009 and 2010. A dedicated funding source for the court system is now in place as revenue from court filing fees flows into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.

State Court Revenue Trust Funds Actual Revenues Chart

But most of the revenue flowing into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund is currently being generated from mortgage foreclosure filing fees. With the sharp downturn in foreclosure filings that began in 2010, Florida’s courts are experiencing sizeable revenue shortfalls.

During the 2011 session the legislature directed the courts to work with the clerks of court (who were experiencing similar revenue challenges), to develop recommendations to resolve the revenue shortfall problems. The clerks and courts have completed their work on the project and a report has been issued that provides recommendations about steps the legislature can take to stabilize court and clerk funding.