---
title: "Samuel Bookhardt, Iii | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/samuel-bookhardt-iii"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Samuel Bookhardt, Iii

Florida Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Florida
- Role: Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## 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

### 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://flcourts18.org/directory/)
- [Official roster](https://flcourts18.org/directory/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://flcourts18.org/directory/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Before becoming a judge, he practiced law at Vance & Lotane in Cocoa from 2001 and held the role of an Assistant State Attorney from 1997 to 2001
- His background as a prosecutor and civil attorney informs his judicial approach, emphasizing procedural compliance, fairness, and efficiency in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida

### Education



### Additional information

- handling over 2,000 criminal cases and more than 50 jury trials



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f9444c394a89ab9f4ffde994) — 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](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.