John McGowan at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John McGowan
Circuit Judge · Florida Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- John O. McGowan serves as a judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which includes Collier County
Education
- Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan and holds a History degree from Eckerd College in Florida.
Additional information
- Elected to the bench in 2018 and presides over a variety of cases, including criminal, civil, and probate matters.
- Judge McGowan has presided over high-profile criminal cases, including competency hearings and bond decisions in serious criminal matters.
- Known for a balanced approach, emphasizing both legal rigor and rehabilitation where appropriate.
- His educational background supports his expertise in both legal theory and practical courtroom experience
- Recognized for his involvement in Treatment Courts, which focus on rehabilitation and specialized judicial programs for defendants with substance abuse or mental health issues
- Before becoming a judge, McGowan had over 20 years of legal practice in Southwest Florida, including Naples and Fort Myers.
- He held the role of an Assistant State Attorney for five years and later practiced privately
- focusing on criminal law in both state and federal courts as well as complex civil litigation.
- He is a member of the Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and has contributed to law enforcement training as a guest lecturer for the Collier County Sheriff's Office and the DEA Taskforce
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 ↗