---
title: "Maria Ruhl | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/maria-ruhl"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Maria Ruhl

Florida Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Twelfth 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://www.jud12.flcourts.org/Documents/Administrative-Orders/Administrative-Order-Viewer/aid/685)
- [Official roster](https://www.jud12.flcourts.org/Documents/Administrative-Orders/Administrative-Order-Viewer/aid/685)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.jud12.flcourts.org/Documents/Administrative-Orders/Administrative-Order-Viewer/aid/685)
- [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

- Elected to the bench in 2018, becoming the first Hispanic judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit
- Her 2018 election marked a milestone: she was the only Hispanic circuit court judge in the area at the time, as confirmed by local officials and historical records
- Before joining the judiciary, she practiced law in private practice, including opening Ruhl Law, P.A. in 2011
- Circuit Court Judge in Florida’s 12th Judicial Circuit, which covers Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties

### Education

- B.A. in Political Science from Florida International University (2002) and a J.D. from St.

### Additional information

- handling criminal, family, immigration, and personal injury cases
- Ruhl’s office emphasizes trauma‐informed practices in juvenile and dependency cases
- She also interned with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida during law school
- Judge Ruhl serves in multiple divisions, including Circuit Juvenile, Circuit Dependency, Early Childhood Court, Civil, Family, Probate, and Guardianship in Sarasota County.



## 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.