---
title: "Ricky Polston | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ricky-polston-4053"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Ricky Polston

Supreme Court of Florida · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Florida
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Supreme Court of Florida, 2008-present
- Polston has been an adjunct professor at Florida State University College of Law since 2003, teaching courses such as Florida Constitutional Law
- Ricky L. Polston is an American lawyer who held the role of a Justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 2008 to 2023, and as its Chief Justice from 2012 to 2014
- Unanimously elected as Florida’s 55th Chief Justice on July 1, 2012, serving a two‐year term until June 30, 2014
- Before joining the Supreme Court, Polston held the role of a judge on Florida’s First District Court of Appeal from 2001 to 2008, hearing over 6,000 appellate cases.

### Education

- Florida State University — J.D.

### Additional information

- focusing on commercial litigation, and was a certified public accountant since 1978
- In 2013, he received Florida State University’s Circle of Gold award, and in 2021 Chipola College named him Alumnus of the Year
- Joined the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Charlie Crist on October 1, 2008, replacing Kenneth B. Bell.
- Date of birth: 1956-01-01
- Born November 24, 1955.
- B.S
- He also practiced law in Tallahassee for 14 years
- His tenure included leadership during the national foreclosure crisis and oversaw the state’s transition to mandatory electronic court filings
- He has served on numerous Florida Bar and court committees, including the Florida Courts Technology Commission and the Code and Rules of Evidence Committee.
- Birth place: Dothan

## 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/4053/ricky-polston/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4053/ricky-polston/)
- [Supreme Court of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4053/ricky-polston/)
- [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/4053/ricky-polston/)
- [Ricky Polston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Polston)
- [Ricky Polston: Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court](https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/ricky-polston-chief-justice-of-the-florida-supreme-court)
- [Wikidata: Ricky Polston](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7332158)

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