---
title: "James F. Stewart | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-f-stewart"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# James F. Stewart

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

- 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.



## 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.