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Rule 1.04 - Divisions and Place to File

(a) DIVISIONS. The Middle District comprises these divisions and these counties:

Fort Myers Division

Charlotte County
Collier County
DeSoto County
Glades County
Hendry County
Lee County

Jacksonville Division Baker County
Bradford County
Clay County
Columbia County
Duval County
Flagler County
Hamilton County
Nassau County
Putnam County
St. Johns County
Suwanee County
Union County
Ocala Division Citrus County
Lake County
Marion County
Sumter County
Orlando Division Brevard County
Orange County
Osceola County
Seminole County
Volusia County
Tampa Division Hardee County
Hernando County
Hillsborough County
Manatee County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Sarasota County

(b) DIVISION FOR A CIVIL ACTION. A party must begin an action in the division to which the action is most directly connected or in which the action is most conveniently advanced. Unless otherwise administratively ordered by the chief judge, the judge must transfer the action to the division most consistent with the purpose of this rule.

(c) DIVISION FOR A CRIMINAL ACTION. Unless otherwise provided by law, the United States must begin a criminal action in a division in which at least one defendant committed a charged offense. Unless otherwise administratively ordered by the chief judge, the judge must transfer the action to the division to which the action is most directly connected or in which the action is most conveniently advanced.