Our Community

Polk County, Florida stands as a unique mixture of beauty and promise in the very heartland of the state. Containing the highest ground in all of Florida, Polk County also has hundreds of square miles of protected wetlands.

The Lake Wales Ridge in the eastern sector of the county was once a chain of islands, where diverse plant and animal life thrived, the species isolated from one another and evolving separately. Today the Ridge has the highest concentration of rare and endangered species in all of North America, and Polk County, as well as private groups such as the Nature Conservancy, watch over them all carefully. Over 550 lakes dazzle in the brilliant Florida sunshine throughout Polk County, providing protected habitat for the wide range of exotic species.

Geographically located in equal distance from the east and west coast of Florida, and halfway between Georgia and the southern tip of Florida, Polk County truly is the beating heart of the region. Twenty five miles east of sprawling Tampa, and thirty five miles southwest of glittering Orlando, it is estimated that more than 7.5 million people live within a 100 mile radius of the county, making it one of the largest concentrations of population in the entire southeast. The 2000 census put Polk County's population at almost 484,000, with over 19% increase since 1990.

Several major modern highways service the County, as well as Interstate 4. Its close proximity to the major seaport of Tampa, as well as several Municipal Airports and Orlando's International Airport, make Polk County an ideal location for relocating businesses as well as bringing in new firms.

A number of major corporations have chosen the area for their headquarters or distribution centers. Publix, Wal-Mart, State Farm and Geico Insurance companies are just a few that call Polk County home.

Over 50 cities thrive here. Polk County contains just over 2,000 square miles with the actual land area being 1,875 miles. The county is larger than the state of Rhode Island and stands as Florida's fourth largest county.

Bartow, known as the 'City of oaks and azaleas', remains the county seat, while some of the better-known cities are Winter Haven and Lake Wales, which holds the oldest and largest Floridian festival - the Mardi Gras celebration. The Lake Wales National Historic district is a unique blend of early architecture that houses some of the finest dining and shopping in the region.

Winter Haven plays host to the lovely Cypress Gardens, the state's first theme park, known as 'the grandfather of central Florida tourism’.

Lakeland thrives as a cultural center for Polk County. The Imperial Symphony Orchestra makes its home in Lakeland, as well as the Polk Museum of Art.

Whether one seeks nature or culture, a place to retire or a place to build a future, Lakeland, Florida offers it all.

If you're heading to court in Polk County, 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.