---
title: "Sara J. Carter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sara-j-carter"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Sara J. Carter

Columbia County Court · County Judge

## Profile

- Court: Columbia County Court
- State: Florida
- Role: County 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://thirdcircuitfl.org/judges-page/)
- [Official roster](https://thirdcircuitfl.org/judges-page/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://thirdcircuitfl.org/judges-page/)
- [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

- Her legal career has led her to serve as a County Judge in Columbia County since January 2021
- In 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved legislation creating an additional county judge position in Columbia County, highlighting the growing judicial needs of the area
- Sara Carter currently serves as Columbia County’s sole county judge
- She also serves as an Acting Circuit Judge when assigned, reflecting her versatility across judicial responsibilities
- Sara J. Carter is listed as a candidate for County Judge in Florida, with no party affiliation, reflecting the nonpartisan nature of judicial offices in the state

### Education

- Florida State University — Florida State University — B.S. (2000)
- Florida Coastal School of Law in the same year — J.D.

### Additional information

- Sara J. Carter was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005



## 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.