Divisions and Place to File

(a) DIVISIONS. The Middle District comprises these divisions and these counties: Fort Myers Division Jacksonville Division Charlotte County Collier County DeSoto County Glades County Hendry County Lee County Baker County Bradford County Clay County Columbia County Duval County Flagler County Hamilton County Nassau County Putnam County St. Johns County Suwannee County Union County 3 M I D D L E D I S T R I C T O F F L O R I D A L O C A L R U L E S Ocala Division Orlando Division Tampa Division Citrus County Hernando County Lake County Marion County Sumter County Brevard County Orange County Osceola County Seminole County Volusia County Hardee County Hillsborough County Manatee County Pasco County Pinellas County Polk County Sarasota County (b) DIVISION FOR A CIVIL ACTION. A party must begin an action in the division to which the action is most directly connected or in which the action is most conveniently advanced. Unless otherwise administratively ordered by the chief judge, the judge must transfer the action to the division most consistent with the purpose of this rule.

(c) DIVISION FOR A CRIMINAL ACTION. Unless otherwise provided by law, the United States must begin a criminal action in a division in which at least one defendant committed a charged offense. Unless otherwise administratively ordered by the chief judge, the judge must transfer the action to the division to which the action is most directly connected or in which the action is most conveniently advanced.