---
title: "Scott Ritchie | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/scott-ritchie"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Scott Ritchie

Escambia County Court · County Judge

## Profile

- Court: Escambia 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://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/r-scott-ritchie/)
- [Official roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/r-scott-ritchie/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/r-scott-ritchie/)
- [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

- Ritchie’s role contributes to the administration of justice in Escambia County, ensuring civil and criminal matters at the county level are adjudicated efficiently
- During his candidacy for Escambia County judge, there was public discussion regarding the number of cases he claimed to have handled, with some figures disputed by the Public Defender’s Office
- Judge Ritchie follows the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits ex parte communications and requires that all arguments be presented during court proceedings or in filed documents
- County Judge in Escambia County, Florida, within the First Judicial Circuit, which also includes Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties

### Education


### Additional information

- Despite this, he has established his career in the local judiciary and now serves in a nonpartisan elected position
- Before becoming a judge, Scott Ritchie worked extensively in the legal field, including experience with the Public Defender’s Office, where he supervised numerous cases.
- Civil hearings under his court are currently conducted via Zoom videoconference, except for civil jury trials, and scheduling requires coordination with opposing counsel or pro se litigants.
- As a county judge, he presides over civil cases in which the amount in controversy is $50,000 or less, as well as misdemeanor criminal cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims.



## 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.