---
title: "Richard W. Howard | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-w-howard-ga-magistrate-58af01efce9168f520c4d269"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# Richard W. Howard

Pickens County Magistrate Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Pickens County Magistrate Court
- State: Georgia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-25

## 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

### electronic devices and recording

Scope: statewide

Georgia's class-specific Uniform Court Rules govern electronic devices and recording in state trial courts. Before using recording, photography, livestreaming, or similar courtroom technology, confirm the governing rule and the assigned court's procedure.

Evidence excerpt: Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court Rules

[Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01efce9168f520c4d269/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01efce9168f520c4d269/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
- [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01efce9168f520c4d269/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Richard A. Howard was a distinguished judge of Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, serving from 2000 until his passing on January 29, 2026 at age 72
- Howard also held the role of Fifth Judicial Circuit Administrative Judge and, in 2025, was temporarily appointed as acting County Court Judge for Citrus County to cover the misdemeanor docket
- Began as an Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, later becoming Senior Trial Attorney and Division Supervisor in the Fifth Judicial Circuit (1978–1988)

### Education



### Additional information

- He was recognized with the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency Distinguished Service Award (2010) and voted “Best Judge” by Citrus County Chronicle readers in 2021
- Over his career, he presided over 558 jury trials, including the high‐profile 2007 trial of John Evander Couey.
- Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in December 2000 and sworn in January 2001, Howard began on the Family Law Docket before moving to the Criminal Division, where he served for the remainder of his tenure.
- He then practiced law in Brooksville, opening his own firm in 1993, before his judicial appointment



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Georgia Magistrate Court Rule 15 — virtual proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-92c085addd8bb83007e0ba04) — Georgia Magistrate Courts only. Virtual proceedings; consent, exceptions and judicial orders control. Dated 2023 source, later amendments not exhaustively certified. [Official source](https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Order-approving-Magistrate-videoconferencing-rules_entered.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.