When legal trouble hits, most people have no idea where their case will actually be heard. Miami has multiple courthouses, multiple divisions, and two distinct court tiers — and sending your paperwork to the wrong place wastes time you may not have.

This guide breaks it down clearly.

Two Tiers: Circuit Court and County Court

Florida's trial court system has two levels. Both operate under the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, which serves Miami-Dade County exclusively and is the largest circuit court in the state — the fourth largest trial court in the entire nation, handling roughly 800,000 cases per year across 123 judges.

Circuit Court handles the serious matters: felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $50,000, family law (divorce, custody, adoption), probate, and juvenile cases.

County Court handles lower-stakes matters: misdemeanors, civil claims under $50,000, traffic infractions, and municipal ordinance violations.

The division matters because it determines which courthouse you go to, which judge hears your case, and what procedural rules apply.

The Four Main Courthouses

Miami-Dade doesn't have one central courthouse. It has four main facilities, each handling specific case types, plus a network of branch courthouses spread across the county.

Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building — 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami This is where criminal cases are heard — both circuit (felony) and county (misdemeanor) criminal matters. If you or someone you know has been arrested in Miami-Dade, this is the building that matters. It also handles jury service and traffic misdemeanor matters redirected from the temporarily closed Miami Beach District Court.

Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center — 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami Opened in November 2025, this 23-story facility replaced the historic Dade County Courthouse at 73 W. Flagler Street as the home of civil and probate matters. Circuit Civil, County Civil, Appellate, Probate, Foreclosure, Mental Health, and Small Claims divisions all operate here. If you are involved in a lawsuit, a contract dispute, a foreclosure, or a personal injury claim over $50,000, this is your courthouse. The old 73 W. Flagler building is now vacant and no longer used for court operations.

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center — 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami Family law is handled here. Divorce, child custody and support, adoption, paternity, name changes, and domestic violence permanent injunctions with an open family court action all go through this building. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, excluding holidays.

Miami-Dade Children's Courthouse — 155 NW 3rd Street, Miami Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases are heard here, separate from the adult criminal system.

Branch Courthouses: Where You Live Matters

Not every resident needs to travel downtown. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts operates six full-service district court locations handling civil, traffic, county criminal, and marriage license matters:

  • Coral Gables District Court — 3100 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
  • Hialeah District Court — 11 E. 6th Street
  • Joseph Caleb Center Court — 5400 NW 22nd Avenue
  • North Dade Justice Center — 15555 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami
  • South Dade Government Center — 10710 SW 211th Street
  • Miami Beach District Court — temporarily closed; matters redirected to Gerstein and the Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center

Joseph Caleb, North Dade, and South Dade locations offer extended hours — useful for anyone who can't take time off work during standard court hours.

Which Court Handles Your Specific Situation?

Arrested for a felony — Circuit Criminal Division at the Gerstein Justice Building. This covers DUI with injury, drug trafficking, assault with a deadly weapon, and all other felony charges.

Arrested for a misdemeanor or traffic charge — County Criminal Division, also at Gerstein. Simple battery, petty theft, and most first-offense DUIs start here.

Going through a divorce or custody dispute — Family Division at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center on NW 1st Avenue.

Suing someone or being sued — Circuit Civil at the Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center if the claim exceeds $50,000; County Civil there or at a branch location for smaller claims.

Dealing with a will, estate, or guardianship — Probate Division at the Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center.

Juvenile matter — Miami-Dade Children's Courthouse on NW 3rd Street.

Why Local Knowledge Matters

Knowing which courthouse handles your case is just the beginning. Each division has its own judges, its own administrative procedures, its own calendar system, and its own unwritten rhythms. An attorney who regularly appears in the Gerstein Building's criminal divisions knows the prosecutors, knows the courtroom tendencies, and knows how the calendar moves. That familiarity can directly affect strategy and outcome.

With the Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center now fully operational as of late 2025, attorneys familiar with the new building's layout, staff, and filing systems have a practical edge that takes time to develop.

Find an Attorney Who Knows These Courts

Browse our directory of Miami-Dade attorneys by practice area to find someone with local experience in the court that handles your case.

This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Court procedures and locations are subject to change. Always verify current information with the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts or the Eleventh Judicial Circuit before taking action.