Jack Espinosa Jr. at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- District Court of Appeal of Florida
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jack Espinosa Jr.
Biography
Professional career
- Espinosa Jr. is also listed as a Judge at the District Court of Appeal of Florida (2002–present), though this may reflect a separate or concurrent judicial role
- Jack Espinosa Jr. was a judge of Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit Court, serving from 1997 until the end of his term in January 2021, and is also noted for his prior legal and teaching career
- His early life included a variety of roles, from night janitor at Plant High School to teacher, and later a celebrated comedic performer in Havana, Cuba, in the 1950s
Education
- Florida State University College of Law — J.D. (1980)
- B.A. — University of Florida in 1977 and his J.D. degeree from Florida State University in 1980
- in U.S. History — University of Florida — B.A. (1977)
Additional information
- He was re‐elected in 2008 and 2014, with his six‐year term expiring on January 4, 2021.
- In 2014, he was unopposed in his re‐election and automatically re‐elected.
- Elected to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida on September 3, 1996, taking office in January 1997.
- Before joining the circuit court, Espinosa held the role of Chief of the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Division in the Florida State Attorney’s Office.
- He also had prior experience as an assistant state attorney.
- In summary: Jack Espinosa Jr. is a retired Florida circuit judge with a long career in public service, including law enforcement, education, and the judiciary, and is recognized for both his legal work and his community and cultural contributions.
- He was a native of Ybor City, Florida, and grew up the son of Spanish and Cuban‐Irish parents.
- Before his judicial role, Espinosa worked in education, teaching U.S. history at Jefferson High School and King High School in Tampa.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media And Still Photography
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.
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 allowedFlorida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗
Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile ↗Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗