---
title: "J. Frank Porter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/j-frank-porter"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# J. Frank Porter

Florida Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Twentieth 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.ca.cjis20.org/About-The-Court/judiciary.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://www.ca.cjis20.org/About-The-Court/judiciary.aspx)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.ca.cjis20.org/About-The-Court/judiciary.aspx)
- [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

- Has served in multiple divisions, including Family Law, Civil, and Felony, and has held administrative roles such as Felony Administrative Judge since 2013 and Deputy Chief Judge from 2011 to 2015.
- While in Charlotte County, he also held the role of Charlotte Administrative Judge and Deputy Chief Judge from 2005 to 2007
- Judge Porter was born and raised in Lee County, Florida, graduating from Riverdale High School in Fort Myers in 1979
- Outside the courtroom, Judge Porter has been appointed as a Mentor Judge by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court and has held the role of a guest lecturer at Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College, and local high schools

### Education

- Associate Degree from Edison Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from East Tennessee State University, and a J.D. from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1985.

### Additional information

- Joined the Lee County Court in 2001 by former Governor Jeb Bush and elevated to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court in 2003.
- He was admitted to the Florida Bar at age 22 and practiced privately before his judicial appointments



## 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.