---
title: "Debra Moses Stephens | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/debra-moses-stephens"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Debra Moses Stephens

Florida Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Fifteenth 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.15thcircuit.com/judges)
- [Official roster](https://www.15thcircuit.com/judges)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.15thcircuit.com/judges)
- [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

- Debra Moses Stephens has held the role of a County Court Judge in Palm Beach County, Florida, beginning her judicial career in June 2000

### Education

- Howard University School of Law in — J.D. (1987)
- Bachelor’s degree in English from Duke University in 1984

### Additional information

- In 2023, Judge Stephens was honored with the Excellence Award at the Florida Black Judges of Excellence Event, recognizing her contributions both on and off the bench.
- She initially served as an Assistant Public Defender in both trial and appellate divisions from 1987 to 2000, gaining extensive courtroom experience.
- Judge Stephens emphasizes fairness, impartiality, and service to the community.
- She has held assignments in multiple divisions, including the County Criminal Division, Domestic Violence Division, and County Civil Division, and has also held the role of an Administrative Judge and Mentor Judge for new judges.
- Actively involved in her community, participating in youth programs, Girl Scout projects, and local court initiatives
- Early in her career, she briefly considered a career in medicine but chose law due to her passion for courtroom trial work
- She opted not to seek a fifth term, and her seat was contested in recent elections
- Her work includes mentoring new judges and volunteering in specialized court programs such as the Riviera Beach Civil Drug Court Debra Moses Stephens is widely regarded as a dedicated, experienced, and community-focused judge, with a career spanning over two decades in Palm Beach County’s judicial system
- Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Stephens comes from a family with strong public service ties.
- She has also served on the Judicial Oversight Committee for Traffic Adjudication Hearing Officers and the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission Court System Task Force



## 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.