---
title: "Robert T. Benton II | KnowJudges"
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# Robert T. Benton II

Florida First District Court of Appeal · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida First District Court of Appeal
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- 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, 1994-present
- 1994–2016: Judge, First District Court of Appeal of Florida, appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1994 Chief Judge: 2010–2013
- Distinguished judge of the First District Court of Appeal of Florida, serving from 1994 until his retirement in January 2016
- 1972–1973: Law Clerk to Chief Judge William A. McRae, Jr., U.S. District Court, M.D. Florida

### Education

- Harvard Law School in — LL.M. (1971)
- University of Florida in — J.D. (1970)
- Johns Hopkins University in — B.A. (1967)
- University of Florida — B.A.
- Harvard University — J.D.

### Additional information

- Retention Elections: 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014 (64.6% vote in 2014)
- He was appointed to the court by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1994 and was most recently retained by voters in 2014.
- prof, 1993-1993
- Date of birth: 1946-01-16
- Benton served on numerous judicial committees, including the Supreme Court Local Rules Advisory Committee and the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.
- He was active in civic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Club of Tallahassee, and the Florida Arts Community Enrichment

## 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/6827/robert-t-benton-ii/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6827/robert-t-benton-ii/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6827/robert-t-benton-ii/)
- [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/6827/robert-t-benton-ii/)
- [Robert Benton - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Benton)
- [Previous Judges](https://1dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/previous-judges)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6827/robert-t-benton-ii/)
- [Robert Benton - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Benton)

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