Our Florida Community

DeLand, Florida is chock full of surprises and delights, a treasure waiting to be discovered.  DeLand's well-preserved history blends sweetly into this modern day county seat which is the commercial hub of Volusia County.

Stetson University, Florida's oldest private college, is classified as a National Historic District.  A beautiful campus with tree-lined streets and old Florida architecture, Stetson gives DeLand a deep cultural base, providing theater, musical concerts, profound lectures, and museums.

Downtown DeLand houses all the government facilities for vibrant Volusia County, which more than 400,000 people call home.  The recently refurbished downtown district does a brisk business with many restaurants of all kinds, as well as high quality shopping.

DeLand's population of 16,491 (census 2000) enjoys the stunning natural beauty that surrounds them, while outdoor enthusiasts come from around the world to experience it.  Situated just west of the famous St. John's River, the only river on the continent that flows north, DeLand is a Mecca for fisherman and boaters.  For those with a taste for larger fish to catch, the beaches of Daytona and New Smyrna, just a short drive away, offer deep-sea fishing charters.

Blue Springs State Park in West Volusia attracts its own breed of aquatic enthusiasts - the manatee fans!  Each year these magnificent sea creatures migrate from the St. John's River to bask through the winter in the constant 72-degree water.  DeLand itself is the winter home for the Clyde Beatty-Coles Brother Circus, which uses Florida's exquisite winter weather to practice new acts for the coming year.

DeLand celebrates!  From Outdoor Arts Festivals and Volusia County Cracker Day, to the annual Central Florida Hot Air Balloon Rally and the 'Anything That Floats' race on the St. John's River, it seems that DeLand residents always have something to celebrate.  The St. Johns River Christmas Boat Parade is a traditional event for Central Florida, a nighttime procession of colorfully lit boats.  For those who miss the good old days, the West Volusia Historic Society in DeLand holds a nostalgic Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes.

Florida's lush foliage, clear waters, sandy beaches, and colorful sunsets offer unlimited outdoor recreation to DeLand's residents and tourists alike.

If you're heading to court in Deland, the Florida State Court system includes a two-tiered trial court system. Most jury trials in Florida involve one judge sitting as judge of the circuit court. Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction. Almost all criminal and civil cases, including personal injury, originate at this level. Florida's Constitution provides that "a circuit court shall be established to serve each judicial circuit established by the Legislature," of which there are 20.

The Constitution also establishes a county court in each of Florida's 67 counties. The jurisdiction of county courts extends to civil disputes involving $15,000 or less. Most non-jury trials in Florida take place before one judge sitting as a judge of the county court.

The state's highest appellate court is the Supreme Court, but there are also five district courts of appeal, headquartered in Tallahassee, Lakeland, Miami, West Palm Beach and Daytona Beach. These courts, using three-judge panels, hear most cases appealed from the trial courts.

Florida offers Self-Help Centers and Family Law Forms as well as interpretive services to those with legal problems. A dictionary of common legal terms may also prove helpful.