---
title: "Heather L. Higbee | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/heather-l-higbee"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-28"
---

# Heather L. Higbee

Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Ninth 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

### remote appearances

Scope: courtwide

Ninth Circuit civil parties may arrange remote appearances through the judicial assistant, subject to the assigned judge's individual procedures.

Evidence excerpt: Counsel or unrepresented parties may arrange, through the Judicial Assistant, to appear remotely at any hearing.

[Uniform Administrative Policies and Procedures of the Civil Division](https://www.ninthcircuit.org/sites/default/files/UNIFORM-ADMINISTRATIVE-POLICIES-AND-PROCEDURES.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-28

### 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://ninthcircuit.org/judges)
- [Official roster](https://ninthcircuit.org/judges)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://ninthcircuit.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)
- [Uniform Administrative Policies and Procedures of the Civil Division](https://www.ninthcircuit.org/sites/default/files/UNIFORM-ADMINISTRATIVE-POLICIES-AND-PROCEDURES.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- As of the 2025–2026 term, Higbee serves as Associate Administrative Judge, Probate and Circuit Judge for Orange County Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health, and Trusts
- 2007–2011: Judge, Orange County Court
- 1997–2007: Private practice; prior roles include assistant statewide prosecutor and vice president at Melander & Higbee

### Education


### Additional information

- Heather L. Higbee is an Associate Administrative Judge of Probate and a Circuit Judge for Orange County in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, appointed in 2011 and re‐elected in 2026 without appearing on the ballot
- She has presided over domestic relations, juvenile dependency, and criminal cases, and has served in multiple administrative capacities



## 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.