--- title: "Kelvin C. Wells | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelvin-c-wells" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Kelvin C. Wells Walton County Court · County Judge ## Profile - Court: Walton 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. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge of the First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, serving in Walton County since 2004, and earlier as Okaloosa County Court Judge - Before this appointment, Wells held the role of a Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit since 2004, originally appointed by Governor Jeb Bush. - Kelvin Wells was selected as a Judge on the Walton County Court by Governor Ron DeSantis in April 2024, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge David Green - 2002 – Named Judge of Okaloosa County Court the biographical record - 1993–2002 – Law-firm partner with Smith, Grimsley, Bauman, Pinkerton, Peterman & Wells the biographical record - 1989–1993 – Assistant State Attorney in the Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit the biographical record - Highly experienced Florida judge with a career spanning county and circuit courts - , Wells is the son of the Hon. Clyde B. Wells, a former judge of the First Judicial Circuit Court ### Education - University of Mississippi School of Law the biographical record — J.D. (1990) - University of Alabama the biographical record — B.A. (1986) - Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama - University of Mississippi, equipping him with a strong foundation in law — J.D. ### Additional information - In April 2024, he was also noted in local news for his continued service on the Walton County Court bench - Wells has been re-elected in 2006, 2012, and 2018 - 2004 – Appointed to the First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida by then-Governor Jeb Bush the biographical record. - A.A. – Marion Military Institute (1984) the biographical record - Before his judicial career, Wells worked in private legal practice and in state prosecution. - Prior to his circuit court service, he was a County Court Judge for Okaloosa County, gaining substantial experience in Florida’s judicial system - He also held the role of president of the Okaloosa-Walton County Bar Association - His recent appointment to the Walton County Court continues his decades-long service in the judiciary, reflecting his expertise, dedication, and leadership in the legal community - , which covers Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties - He has held judicial assignments in Walton County and is recognized for his service in both circuit and county court levels - His official contact is through the Walton County Courthouse, DeFuniak Springs, FL, with Judicial Assistant Tanya Schumann - Kiwanis Club of DeFuniak Springs - Panhandle Cattlemen Association - Florida Cattlemen’s Association - Florida Supreme Court Committee on Professionalism - DeFuniak Springs, Florida - He is a member of First United Methodist Church ## 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.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/kelvin-c-wells/) - [Official roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/kelvin-c-wells/) - [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/kelvin-c-wells/) - [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelvin-c-wells", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelvin-c-wells", "name": "Kelvin C. 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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.