James F. Stewart at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James F. Stewart
Circuit Judge · Florida Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Before his judicial appointment, he spent over 17 years as an Assistant State Attorney for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, eventually becoming Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney in 2022, where he led the Collier County Office, supervising and mentoring prosecutors.
- Outside the courtroom, Judge Stewart volunteers for Mock Trial competitions for high school and law students and contributes to charitable initiatives through the Collier County Bar Foundation
Education
- Northeastern University School of Law in — J.D. (2007)
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Michigan in 2004
Additional information
- Running for re-election to the Florida 20th Circuit Court Group 19, with the primary election scheduled for August 18, 2026.
- Joined the Twentieth Circuit bench by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2025, serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties.
- Currently, Judge Stewart is assigned to the Unified Family Court docket
- focusing on juvenile dependency, juvenile delinquency, and truancy cases.
- During his prosecutorial career, he handled numerous high-profile cases, including multiple homicides, and conducted over 100 jury trials
- He also presides over circuit civil cases in Collier County.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Florida Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster ↗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 ↗