Citing the results of a panel’s extensive review, the Florida Supreme Court is recommending that the Legislature not consolidate judicial circuits.

“Based on the committee’s findings and recommendations and our own independent judgment, we do not find that there is a need to consolidate Florida’s judicial circuits,” Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz wrote in the unanimous December 21 ruling, In Re: Judicial Circuit Assessment, No. SC2023-1708.

The ruling refers to the 14-member Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee, chaired by Fourth District Court of Appeal Judge Jonathan Gerber, that Muñiz formed shortly after receiving a June 15 letter from House Speaker Paul Renner.