---
title: "James C. Hankinson | KnowJudges"
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# James C. Hankinson

District Court of Appeal of Florida · Judge

## Profile

- Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2002-present
- Appointed circuit judge in 2002; re‐elected without opposition in 2004, 2010, and 2016
- Began as an assistant state attorney in Florida’s 1st Judicial Circuit (1978–1981)
- Prosecutor in the Pensacola area, starting in 1979, before being hired in the 2nd Judicial Circuit three years later.

### Education

- Florida State University College of Law in — J.D. (1978)
- Davidson College in — B.A. (1974)

### Additional information

- Passed away on July 6, 2023, after battling glioblastoma.
- Retired June 30, 2020.
- Joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida in 1991, earning the DOJ Director’s Award.
- Born July 8, 1952, in Ocala, Florida.
- Judge James Hankinson was widely regarded as a fair, even‐keeled, and highly knowledgeable jurist.
- He presided over many of Tallahassee’s most high‐profile criminal cases and continued serving as a senior judge after retirement.
- Implemented the Therapy Dog in the Courtroom Program and volunteered extensively.

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/6922/james-c-hankinson/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6922/james-c-hankinson/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6922/james-c-hankinson/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6922/james-c-hankinson/)
- [James C. Hankinson - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/James_C._Hankinson)
- [Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson resigning after lengthy career](https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2020/01/31/circuit-judge-james-c-hankinson-resigning-after-lengthy-career/4623806002)

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