1. Mandatory Jurisdiction.
The Florida Supreme Court’s mandatory jurisdiction includes direct appeals or petitions seeking review of:(b) decisions of District Courts of Appeal declaring invalid a state statute or a provision of the state constitution.
(b) actions of statewide agencies relating to rates or service of utilities providing electric, gas, or telephone service.
2. Discretionary Jurisdiction.
The Florida Supreme Court also has discretionary jurisdiction to hear certain matters. This means there are certain matters the court can, but does not have to, review. The supreme court’s discretionary jurisdiction includes the power to review decisions of District Courts of Appeal that:(b) Expressly construe a provision of the state or federal constitution. The ruling, opinion, or order must contain language explaining the meaning of a provision of the state or federal constitution.
(c) Expressly affect a class of constitutional or state officers. The ruling, opinion, or order must contain language that affects a class of constitutional or state officers.
(d) Expressly and directly conflict with a decision of another District Court of Appeal or of the Florida Supreme Court on the same question of law. The opinion from the District Court of Appeal must contain language contrary to the opinion of another District Court of Appeal or of the Florida Supreme Court. It is not necessary that the District Court of Appeal explicitly identify a conflicting appellate opinion in its decision to demonstrate conflict. However, it should address any legal principles applied as a basis for its decision.
(e) Pass upon a question certified to be of great public importance. The ruling, opinion, or order must contain language to the effect that the issues presented contain a question certified by the authoring court to be of great public importance.
(f) Are certified to be in direct conflict with decisions of other District Courts of Appeal. The ruling, opinion, or order must contain language to the effect that the issues presented contain a question certified by the authoring court to be of great public importance.
