---
title: "Richard Orfinger | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-orfinger-7009"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Richard Orfinger

Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2000-present
- Judge Richard B. Orfinger is a senior judge of the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal, having served on the bench from 2000 until his retirement in January 2021
- Fifth District Court of Appeal (2000–2021): Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 2000; held the role of Chief Judge from 2011–2013
- Seventh Judicial Circuit (1991–2000): held the role of a circuit judge and was Chief Judge from 1996–1999
- Before joining the judiciary, Orfinger was a shareholder in the Daytona Beach law firm Monaco, Smith, Hood, Perkins, Orfinger and Stout, P.A. (1990–1991) and Orfinger and Stout, P.A. (1979–1990).
- He also served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Seventh Judicial Circuit (1976–1978)

### Education

- University of Florida College of Law in — J.D. (1976)
- Tulane University of Louisiana — B.A.

### Additional information

- Orfinger chaired the District Court Budget Commission (2009–2013) and served on multiple judicial governance and professionalism committees, including the Florida Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism and the Florida Bar’s Professionalism Committee
- Practitioner, 1999-1999

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7009/richard-orfinger/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7009/richard-orfinger/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7009/richard-orfinger/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7009/richard-orfinger/)
- [Judge Richard B. Orfinger / Senior Judges / Judges - - Fifth District Court of Appeal](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Senior-Judges/Judge-Richard-B.-Orfinger)
- [Richard Orfinger - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Richard_Orfinger)
- [Senior Judges](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Senior-Judges)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7009/richard-orfinger/)
- [Judge Richard B. Orfinger / Senior Judges / Judges - - Fifth District Court of Appeal](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Senior-Judges/Judge-Richard-B.-Orfinger)
- [Richard Orfinger - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Richard_Orfinger)

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