---
title: "Charles Carlton | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-carlton-6844"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Charles Carlton

District Court of Appeal of Florida · Judge

## Profile

- Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1977-present
- Charles Thaddeus Carlton (November 7, 1935 – December 17, 2025) was a distinguished Florida circuit court judge, attorney, and public servant, widely known as “Charlie”
- Retired from full-time judicial service in 1997 but remained active for 15 more years as a Senior Judge, civil court mediator, and arbitrator in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit
- In 1970, Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. appointed him Circuit Court Judge for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, a role he held for 27 years, earning re-election in 1972, 1978, 1984, and 1990.
- In 1968, Carlton was elected State Attorney for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit
- Began his legal career in his father’s Fort Pierce law firm, rising to partner in the Carlton, McCain, Carlton & Brennan Law Firm
- He held the role of Administrative Judge, Chief Judge, and Deputy Chief Judge, and also as Associate Judge on the Second and Fourth District Courts of Appeal

### Education

- He later earned his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in 1963, graduating first in his class and receiving the Delta Theta Phi Key for Excellence in Scholarship.

### Additional information

- Following his father’s death in 1965, he helped manage the family cattle business for several years.
- He attended the University of Florida, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and graduated in 1957.
- After university, Carlton held the role of a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years.
- Born and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida, Carlton grew up working weekends and summers as a cowboy on his family’s cattle ranches in St. Lucie and Glades counties.
- Carlton was married to Lois for 37 years and is survived by his son Chad (Jill) Carlton, daughter Kelley Stahlman, stepchildren Brett Moncrieff and Tiffany Moncrieff, and several grandchildren.
- He was predeceased by his parents, grandmother, and son Marshall Carlton.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6844/charles-carlton/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6844/charles-carlton/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6844/charles-carlton/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6844/charles-carlton/)

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