---
title: "Lori A. Winstead | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lori-a-winstead"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Lori A. Winstead

Florida Tenth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Tenth 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://jud10.flcourts.org/gallery/judges)
- [Official roster](https://jud10.flcourts.org/gallery/judges)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://jud10.flcourts.org/gallery/judges)
- [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

- Joined this position on May 28, 2021, following the retirement of Judge Steven L. Selph, and has presided over cases in the Felony Division in Polk County
- Prior to this appointment, she held the role of a judge on the Polk County Court starting in 2019
- Before her judicial appointments, Winstead worked for eleven years as an assistant state attorney in the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County from 2008 to 2019.
- Associate degree from Polk State College, followed by a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College in 2005

### Education

- She then completed her Juris Doctor at Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in 2008.

### Additional information

- As a circuit court judge, Winstead has presided over numerous cases in Polk County, including felony matters.
- Her assignments reflect her experience in criminal law and her ongoing responsibilities in the circuit court
- 10th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which covers Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties.
- She was born and raised in Illinois before moving to Florida for her legal career



## 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.