Criminal — Felony (Circuit Court) in Walton County, Florida

Felonies — offenses punishable by death or by more than one year in state prison (§ 775.08(1), Fla. Stat.) — are prosecuted in circuit court (§ 26.012(2)(d), Fla. Stat.) under the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, charged by information or indictment (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.140).

When a lawyer matters here

Felony exposure means state prison, and a felony record permanently affects civil rights, employment, housing, and immigration status. You have the right to a lawyer at every critical stage, appointed free if you cannot afford one (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.111; § 27.51, Fla. Stat.). Ask for the public defender at first appearance and do not discuss the case with anyone else. This guide maps the procedure; defending a felony without counsel is how cases are lost.

Where this case is heard in Walton County

Court: First Judicial Circuit Court · First Judicial Circuit (Circuit 1)
Filing: e-file through the statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com or in person with the Walton County Clerk of Court.
Local bench: 4 judges verified for Walton County — check the assigned judge's practice preferences before any hearing.

The procedure, step by step

1. First appearance, counsel, and pretrial release
Within 24 hours of arrest the defendant is brought before a judge (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.130), who advises of the charges, appoints the public defender for the indigent (§ 27.51, Fla. Stat.), and addresses bail or other pretrial release conditions.
2. Formal charges, arraignment, and plea
The state attorney files felony charges by information, or a grand jury indicts (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.140; indictment is required for capital crimes). At arraignment the defendant enters a plea (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.160); counsel may file a written not-guilty plea.
3. Discovery, motions, and the speedy-trial clock
Discovery election under Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.220 triggers the state's disclosure duties and reciprocal defense obligations; pretrial motions (suppression, dismissal) follow the criminal rules. Without a waiver, a felony must be brought to trial within 175 days of arrest (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.191(a)).

Common questions

What is the difference between county and circuit criminal court?: Misdemeanors (up to one year in county jail) are prosecuted in county court; felonies (more than one year, in state prison) are prosecuted in circuit court (§ 775.08, Fla. Stat.; § 26.012(2)(d), Fla. Stat.).
How fast must the state bring a felony to trial?: 175 days from arrest without a waiver, and a defendant may file a demand for speedy trial that sets trial within 60 days (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.191(a)–(b)). Many defense actions waive or extend the clock — a reason counsel matters.

Governing authority

Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.130 (first appearance); 3.111 (right to counsel); 3.140 (charging); 3.160 (arraignment)
Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.191 (speedy trial — 175 days); 3.220 (discovery)
§ 27.51, Fla. Stat. (public defender); § 775.08(1) (felony defined); § 26.012(2)(d) (circuit jurisdiction)

Procedural information only — not legal advice and not a substitute for an attorney. Statewide rules are summarized with citations; local practice varies by division and judge, so verify deadlines with the Walton County clerk and review the assigned judge's verified preferences on the Walton County page.

Criminal — Felony (Circuit Court) in Walton County, Florida

When a lawyer matters here

Where this case is heard in Walton County

Court: First Judicial Circuit Court · First Judicial Circuit (Circuit 1)

Filing: e-file through the statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com or in person with the Walton County Clerk of Court.

Local bench: 4 judges verified for Walton County — check the assigned judge's practice preferences before any hearing.

The procedure, step by step

1. First appearance, counsel, and pretrial release

Within 24 hours of arrest the defendant is brought before a judge (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.130), who advises of the charges, appoints the public defender for the indigent (§ 27.51, Fla. Stat.), and addresses bail or other pretrial release conditions.

2. Formal charges, arraignment, and plea

The state attorney files felony charges by information, or a grand jury indicts (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.140; indictment is required for capital crimes). At arraignment the defendant enters a plea (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.160); counsel may file a written not-guilty plea.

3. Discovery, motions, and the speedy-trial clock

Discovery election under Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.220 triggers the state's disclosure duties and reciprocal defense obligations; pretrial motions (suppression, dismissal) follow the criminal rules. Without a waiver, a felony must be brought to trial within 175 days of arrest (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.191(a)).

Common questions

What is the difference between county and circuit criminal court?

Misdemeanors (up to one year in county jail) are prosecuted in county court; felonies (more than one year, in state prison) are prosecuted in circuit court (§ 775.08, Fla. Stat.; § 26.012(2)(d), Fla. Stat.).

How fast must the state bring a felony to trial?

175 days from arrest without a waiver, and a defendant may file a demand for speedy trial that sets trial within 60 days (Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.191(a)–(b)). Many defense actions waive or extend the clock — a reason counsel matters.

Governing authority

Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.130 (first appearance); 3.111 (right to counsel); 3.140 (charging); 3.160 (arraignment)

Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.191 (speedy trial — 175 days); 3.220 (discovery)

§ 27.51, Fla. Stat. (public defender); § 775.08(1) (felony defined); § 26.012(2)(d) (circuit jurisdiction)