Melanie G. May at a glance
- Current role
- District Court of Appeal Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Melanie G. May
District Court of Appeal Judge · Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal
Biography
Professional career
- Retired Florida appellate judge who served on the Fourth District Court of Appeal from 2002 until her retirement on December 31, 2026, after nearly 25 years on the bench
- Appointments: 1991 – Appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court (trial court) 2002 – Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Fourth District Court of Appeal 2011–2013 – held the role of Chief Judge of the Fourth District Court of Appeal
- Multiple juvenile justice, substance abuse, and community advisory boards
- Her career spanned trial and appellate law, with a strong focus on drug courts, juvenile justice, and judicial reform
Education
Additional information
- On July 4, 2026, Judge May submitted her resignation to Governor Ron DeSantis, effective December 31, 2026, marking the end of a nearly 25-year judicial career.
- In her letter, she expressed gratitude to colleagues, the Broward County community, and the public for their support during her re-election and retention terms Court News Florida
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 Fourth District Court of Appeal
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 appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida appellate courts official judge directories 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 ↗