The
FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
of FLORIDA
Located in the heart of central Florida, the Fifth Judicial Circuit covers a geographical area approaching the size of Connecticut. The circuit is comprised of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties, with main administrative offices in Ocala.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit operates under the leadership of Chief Judge Daniel B. Merritt, Jr. and Jeffery K. Fuller, Trial Court Administrator.
If you have a disability and the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact the Department’s webmaster at ada@circuit5.org. The webmaster will refer your request to the appropriate Department component, and the component will respond to your request. To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of the accessibility problem, the web address of the requested material, your preferred format in which you want to receive the material (electronic format (ASCII, etc.), standard print, large print, etc.), and your contact information
Courts & Judges
Daniel B. Merritt, Jr., Chief Judge
Jeffery Fuller, Trial Court Administrator
Citrus County
Hernando County
Lake County
Marion County
Sumter County
Administrative Orders
Administrative Orders are directives that are necessary to properly administer the court’s affairs but are not inconsistent with the Florida Constitution, the Florida Rules of Court, or with administrative orders entered by the Supreme Court of Florida.
Self-Help Center
Our circuit provides resources for self-represented parties in domestic relations cases. In all counties resources are available online or at the local clerk’s office.
Contact & Information
Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit serves Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties. There are many individuals associated with the Fifth Judicial Circuit who support the judiciary.
To access duty judge schedules, select the “learn more” button below.