Court History

In 1957, the Florida legislature created three district courts of appeal.  One of those courts was the Third District Court of Appeal, which currently presides over appeals from the Eleventh Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade County) and the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit (Monroe County).  At its inception, the Court was comprised solely of three judges: Chief Judge Charles A. Carroll, Judge Mallory H. Horton and Judge Tillman Pearson.  This photograph of the Court’s first three judges was taken on July 1, 1957, which was the first day the Court convened.  As the population and case load increased through the years, additional judges were appointed. In 2020, the Court had ten active jurists.  

The Historical Society’s book, titled Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal: Balancing Justice, 1957-2007, details the Court’s creation and evolution during its first 50 years and can be purchased here. Additional historical photographs of the Court can be viewed here.