---
title: "Della Cope | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/della-cope"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Della Cope

Pinellas County Court · County Judge

## Profile

- Court: Pinellas County Court
- State: Florida
- Role: County 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.jud6.org/judges/)
- [Official roster](https://www.jud6.org/judges/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.jud6.org/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

- Della C. Cope is the County Judge for Community Violence in Pinellas County, Florida, elected in 2022 and serving until 2029, presiding over domestic violence and related cases in the 6th Judicial Circuit
- Cope defeated Megan Roach in the 2022 general election for Pinellas County Court Judge, winning 58.7% of the vote
- Office Location: Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762
- Position: County Judge, Community Violence Division (Section CV3)

### Education

- B.A. from the University of Florida and a J.D. from the Fredric G. Levin College of Law (2004).

### Additional information

- Licensed in Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the Northern District of Florida
- Cope’s section follows specific procedural rules for motions, hearings, and child testimony, including requirements for filing motions with the Clerk and coordinating with the Judicial Assistant
- Her campaign received endorsements from the Pinellas County Sheriff, Hillsborough County State Attorney, and the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association



## 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.