John Hurley at a glance
- Current role
- County Judge
- Court
- Broward County Court
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John Hurley
County Judge · Broward County Court
Biography
Professional career
- He gained national attention as the first full-time first appearance (bond) court judge from 2008 to 2016, presiding over approximately 200,000 cases livestreamed online
Education
Additional information
- Since 2016, he has handled criminal and civil trials, primarily at the Deerfield Beach courthouse
- Joined the Broward County Court in 2008 by Governor Charlie Crist.
- overseeing cases such as landlord-tenant disputes, insurance claims, small claims up to $50,000, and misdemeanor criminal cases
- Hurley has been involved in high-profile cases, including instances where defendants were held in contempt of court for disruptive behavior, such as a domestic violence defendant sentenced to nearly a year in jail for profanity-laden outbursts.
- He has faced criticism from public defenders for alleged harsh treatment of homeless defendants and courtroom decorum issues, though he defended his actions as maintaining order and fairness.
- His efforts significantly reduced Broward’s jail population by releasing nonviolent offenders.
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
Broward County 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 ↗