---
title: "Tonya Rainwater | KnowJudges"
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# Tonya Rainwater

District Court of Appeal of Florida · Judge

## Profile

- Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- 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, 2007-present
- Tonya B. Rainwater was a distinguished judge of Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit Court, serving Brevard and Seminole Counties for over three decades before retiring in 2019.
- Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit in 2006 and 2018
- held the role of temporary associate judge of the Florida 5th District Court of Appeal in 1995 and 2007
- Began her judicial service in 1986 as a judge in the Brevard County Court within the 18th Judicial Circuit
- 1979–1981: Assistant State Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit

### Education

- M.B.A. — Florida Institute of Technology, 1988
- University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law — J.D. (1978)
- Florida State University — B.S. (1976)
- Florida State University — B.A.

### Additional information

- Elected to the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in 1990, re‐elected in 2008 and 2014.
- Practitioner, 2006-2006
- prof, 2006-2006
- Played a key role in establishing Brevard County’s first drug court in 1994.
- 1981–1986: Private legal practice.
- Rainwater’s career combined judicial leadership, program development, and legal expertise.
- During her tenure, Judge Rainwater issued numerous administrative orders covering domestic relations, juvenile cases, mental health, and case assignment protocols.
- Recognized for her contributions to community justice initiatives, including the pioneering drug court program, and for her service as Chief Judge during pivotal periods in the circuit’s history.
- Adjunct professor at the Florida Institute of Technology.

## 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/7032/tonya-rainwater/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7032/tonya-rainwater/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7032/tonya-rainwater/)
- [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/7032/tonya-rainwater/)

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