Rhonda Peoples-Waters

Judge Rhonda Peoples-Waters began her judicial career on January 5, 2021, and presides over a Duval County Court in Jacksonville, FL. Before becoming a judge, she tried over 75 non-jury and jury trials. She was the lead trial counsel in more than half of those cases. She has been licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Florida since 1999, after graduating from the University of Florida School of Law where she studied under an academic scholarship. Judge Peoples-Waters began her career at the Public Defender’s Office in Jacksonville, FL. She has been counsel in thousands of cases, including misdemeanors and felonies. The Judge was at the Public Defender’s Office for seven years and served as the Division Chief of the Repeat Offender Divisions in Duval County.

In 2007, Judge Peoples-Waters entered private practice with a small firm practicing Criminal Law and Personal Injury Law. With the experience in public service practice and private practice, in 2008 Rhonda opened Rhonda Peoples-Waters P.A. Her firm specialized in civil and criminal litigation. Her legal experience is very diverse and wide-ranging. As a small business owner for over 12 years, the Judge learned valuable lessons beyond the practice of law such as time and employee management, successful customer service, and professional skills to deal with all types of people and circumstances.

In addition, Judge Peoples-Waters has served as a legal analyst for News4Jax and other local stations for several years. Her legal advice and opinions are valued and trusted throughout the community. Her service to the community is demonstrated through her leadership roles as a City of Jacksonville Ethics Commissioner, Past President of Daniel Webster Perkins Bar Association, NAACP-Jacksonville Branch Board Member, Past PTA President, Past President of the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Board of Directors, and Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee.

Judge Peoples-Waters applied to the Fourth Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission for appointment to the judicial bench 16 times, from 2009 to 2020. She also ran for county judge unsuccessfully in 2012. After 17 NOs, the Judge’s YES came on August 18, 2020, when she became the first-elected black female judge in an area covering over a million people. She received the most votes of any candidate on the ballot. Her perseverance and outstanding qualifications have made her election to the bench an asset to this community and opened more doors toward judicial diversity.

The Judge is a proud graduate of Fisk University, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a faithful member of her church.