---
title: "Jason L. Smith | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jason-l-smith"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Jason L. Smith

Hernando County Court · County Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hernando County Court
- State: Florida
- Role: County 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.circuit5.org/contact-information/circuit-wide-directory/)
- [Official roster](https://www.circuit5.org/contact-information/circuit-wide-directory/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.circuit5.org/contact-information/circuit-wide-directory/)
- [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

- Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as a County Judge in Hernando County, part of Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit
- He also served in the public defender’s office and spent more than 20 years in private practice

### Education


### Additional information

- Practiced law for 35 years
- handling over 50 felony trials along with numerous misdemeanor, family law, and civil cases.
- Judge Smith emphasizes fairness, accountability, and equality in his judicial approach
- As a county judge, he presides over a variety of cases including civil, criminal, family, and misdemeanor matters, ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice
- Judge Smith’s calendar and hearing schedules are maintained by the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and hearings will appear on the clerk docket only after a Notice of Hearing is filed.



## 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.