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Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure – 2026

The Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure govern criminal proceedings in Florida courts, covering arrest, bail, arraignment, discovery, trial, sentencing, and post-conviction relief. Includes plain-English summaries and committee notes.

Browse all 141 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Sections

Part I: Scope, Purpose, and Construction Part II: General Provisions Part III: Preliminary Proceedings Part IV: Arraignment and Pleas Part V: Pretrial Motions and Defenses Part VI: Discovery Part VII: Substitution of Judge Part VIII: Change of Venue Part IX: The Trial Part X: Conduct of Trial; Jury Instructions Part XI: The Verdict Part XII: Post-trial Motions Part XIII: Judgment Part XIV: Sentence Part XV: Execution of Sentence Part XVI: Criminal Contempt Part XVII: Postconviction Relief
Part I: Scope, Purpose, and Construction Rules 3.010–3.025 Part II: General Provisions Rules 3.030–3.116 Part III: Preliminary Proceedings Rules 3.120–3.153 Part IV: Arraignment and Pleas Rules 3.160–3.181 Part V: Pretrial Motions and Defenses Rules 3.190–3.219 Part VI: Discovery Rules 3.220–3.220 Part VII: Substitution of Judge Rules 3.231–3.231 Part VIII: Change of Venue Rules 3.240–3.240 Part IX: The Trial Rules 3.250–3.361 Part X: Conduct of Trial; Jury Instructions Rules 3.370–3.430 Part XI: The Verdict Rules 3.440–3.575 Part XII: Post-trial Motions Rules 3.580–3.640 Part XIII: Judgment Rules 3.650–3.694 Part XIV: Sentence Rules 3.700–3.802 Part XV: Execution of Sentence Rules 3.810–3.820 Part XVI: Criminal Contempt Rules 3.830–3.840 Part XVII: Postconviction Relief Rules 3.850–3.853

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure cover?
These 141 rules govern how criminal cases move through Florida's state courts, from arrest and bail through arraignment, discovery, trial, sentencing, and post-conviction relief. They apply to felony, misdemeanor, and other criminal proceedings handled in Florida circuit and county courts. If you are involved in a Florida state criminal case in any capacity, these are the procedural rules that control how the case is handled.
How are these rules different from the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure?
The Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure apply only in Florida's state courts, while the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure govern cases in U.S. district courts and other federal tribunals. A person charged with a state crime in Florida, such as theft or assault under Florida law, falls under these state rules, not the federal ones. The two sets of rules share a similar structure but differ in many procedural details, deadlines, and requirements.
Where in these rules can I find information about discovery in a Florida criminal case?
Discovery in Florida criminal cases is covered under Rule 3.220, which sets out what information the prosecution and defense must share with each other before trial, including witness lists, statements, and evidence. The rule also addresses depositions and protective orders, making it a good starting point if you want to understand what materials a party is entitled to obtain. The plain-English summaries on this page can help you get a quick read on the rule before working through the full text.