---
title: "David L. Stevens | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-stevens"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# David L. Stevens

Florida First Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida First Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Florida
- Role: Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

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

## 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.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/david-stevens/)
- [Official roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/david-stevens/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/david-stevens/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- After nearly eight years, he founded Stevens Law Firm, PLLC, a criminal defense firm serving northwest Florida, which he operated for four years before returning to the State Attorney’s Office in 2023.
- Began his legal career as an associate attorney at a civil litigation firm in Santa Rosa Beach
- Judge on the First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
- He then joined the State Attorney’s Office in Shalimar as a prosecutor

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
- Law degree from Regent University School of Law and also holds a Master of Divinity from Southern Evangelical Seminary, being an ordained minister.

### Additional information

- Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Stevens to fill a judicial vacancy created by the enactment of HB 5401.
- overseeing a wide range of cases including felony criminal, domestic relations, probate, guardianship, juvenile, and civil matters exceeding $50,000 in value.
- Stevens is a graduate of Choctawhatchee High School
- Prior to his judicial appointment, Stevens was the Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit, where he managed prosecutions for an entire county and supervised a staff of over 40 employees, including attorneys, investigators, and support personnel
- He and his family are active members of Destiny Worship Center in Niceville, Florida



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f9444c394a89ab9f4ffde994) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.