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Chief Judge John Simon sits in Escambia. Each of the four counties has its own administrative judge: Kinsey (Escambia), Duncan (Santa Rosa), Stone (Okaloosa) and Love (Walton).
Applies circuit-wide in the First Judicial Circuit: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
The First Judicial Circuit publishes its leadership in the judge records themselves rather than in a separate designation order. As of 2026-07-22: John Simon is Chief Judge, sitting in Escambia County, Divisions E and N (Felony Criminal). The administrative judges are Jennie Kinsey — Escambia County, Division P (Family Law); J. Scott Duncan — Santa Rosa County, Division A; William F. Stone — Okaloosa County, Division 002; and J. Ryan Love — Walton County, Division A. BENCH COMPOSITION: 38 published judge records — 26 circuit and 12 county. By county: Escambia 17, Okaloosa 9, Santa Rosa 8, Walton 4. One of the 38 is not a person: a published record titled "Vacant - Division 3" (Santa Rosa county court) whose first and last name fields read "County" and "Judge." BenchPath carries 37 judges and deliberately does not create a judge from that record.
John Simon, Chief Judge — Escambia County, Divisions E (Felony Criminal) and N (Felony Criminal)
The 17th Circuit's circuit-wide AI disclosure/certification mandate (Jan 2026, twice amended) was VACATED in its entirety effective June 15, 2026 by Chief Judge Phillips's AO 2026-19-Gen, expressly citing the statewide framework (AOSC26-12; Rule 2.515(d)(2), SC2026-0673). Several division procedure pages still cite the vacated order.
Every circuit-civil case reviewed within 120 days of commencement and assigned a track (complex, streamlined, or general); case management orders required; firm continuance policy; sanctions for missed deadlines. Rescinds AO 21-09.
Circuit-civil hearing-availability standards: motion calendars ~2 weeks from request; 15-30 min special sets within 45-60 days; longer special sets scale.