ALL JURORS SUMMONED FOR JURY DUTY ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH NEED TO REPORT ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH AT 1:30 P.M. TO THE SECOND FLOOR COURTROOM. YOU DO NOT NEED TO REPORT ON FRIDAY.

***REGARDING REQUESTS FOR EXCUSAL FROM JURY DUTY: UNLESS A JUROR MEETS THE STATUTORY CRITERIA AS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTE 40.013, YOUR APPEARANCE IS MANDATORY. PLEASE VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LIST OF STATUTORY EXCUSES.***

 

Effective July 1, 2021, pursuant to SC20-1765, filers in circuit civil, county civil and small claims cases will be solely responsible for ensuring any confidential information contained in filings is redacted or identified for redaction. Read Rule 2.420 or watch a video explaining this change.

Nadia K. Daughtrey

DeSoto County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court

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Nadia K. Daughtrey

DeSoto County, Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court
You are here: Home / Court / Small Claims

Small Claims

Small Claims is a legal action which simplifies the court process and is used to resolve civil disputes that involve amounts of money not more than $8,000.00, excluding costs, interest, and attorney fees.

Requirements to File a Small Claims Case:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • You may be an individual, a person “doing business as” (dba), or a corporation.
  • A minor child must have a parent or legal guardian file on his/her behalf.

Fee schedule for small claims cases, excluding summons fee ($10 each):

  • For claims less than $100...................$65.00
  • For claims of $101 - $500....................$90.00
  • For claims of $501 - $2,500.................$185.00
  • For claims of $2,501 - $8,000..............$310.00

Small Claims Court is considered a “people’s court” and a lawyer is not required. However, you may wish to consult with an attorney if there are complex legal issues or, you need legal advice on your rights and obligations. The Clerk’s staff cannot provide you with legal advice.

Forms can be located on the Forms page