Phillip A. Pena at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Phillip A. Pena
Circuit Judge · Florida Eighth Judicial Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Phillip A. Pena was elected to the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in 2014 and re-elected in 2020
- Before his judicial appointments, Pena served as an assistant state attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2014.
- Prior to his election to the circuit court, Pena held the role of a judge for the Alachua County Court, appointed by former Governor Rick Scott in March 2012
- He also spent a year in private practice at the Keller Law Office
- As a judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit, Pena adheres to the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits discussing pending cases with the public
Education
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Florida State University College of Law in 1996
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Florida in 1992
Additional information
- overseeing a range of cases across the circuit.
- Judge Pena has held assignments in Alachua, Gilchrist, Union, and Baker Counties
- handling a variety of civil, criminal, and specialty court cases.
- His legal experience spans criminal prosecution, civil matters, and specialized court programs
- He has presided over specialized divisions such as the Veterans Treatment Court (Division VIII) and the Felony Drug Court (Division VII).
- He is a licensed member of the Florida Bar
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 Eighth 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 ↗