---
title: "W. Joel Boles | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/w-joel-boles"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-01"
---

# W. Joel Boles

Florida First Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida First 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.

## Biography

### Professional career

- He then became a judge of the Santa Rosa County Court
- Prior to his judicial career, Boles worked as a shareholder in the Pensacola law firm of Wilson, Harrell, Smith, Boles & Farrington.

### Education

- Cumberland School of Law in — J.D. (1987)

### Additional information

- Served there for two years prior to his appointment to the circuit court in 2005.
- Appointed to this position by Governor Jeb Bush in October 2005 to replace former Judge John P. Kuder.

## 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/w-joel-boles/)
- [Official roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/w-joel-boles/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/w-joel-boles/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [Official biography source for W. Joel Boles](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/w-joel-boles/)
- [PDF judicial ethics advisory committee (jeac) - Florida Courts](https://www.flcourts.gov/content/download/218066/file/jeac-general-information.pdf)
- [W. Joel Boles - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/W._Joel_Boles)
- [Judges | First Judicial Circuit of Florida](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges)

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## 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.