Judge R. Scott Ritchie: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Escambia County Court, Department Division 5

Biography

The Hon. R. Scott Ritchie is a judge for the Escambia County Court in Florida. He was elected to the bench on November 8, 2022.

Prior to his election, Ritchie was an assistant public defender in the Office of the Public Defender for the 1st Judicial Circuit. He represented indigent clients in criminal matters, handling everything from misdemeanors to death penalty cases.

Ritchie earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida in 2000. He then completed a J.D. at Florida State University College of Law in 2003.

Recent Cases by Hon. R. Scott Ritchie

AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK vs. PENTON, CHRISTY

On January 14, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

16 Files

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 29, 2026

MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, INC. vs. PETTY, WALTER JR

On January 13, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

7 Files

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 29, 2026

AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK vs. STINSON, RICKY

On January 13, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

18 Files

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 29, 2026

CINTAS CORPORATION NO. 2 vs. RIKA’S MEXICAN CUISINE LLC

On January 12, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

12 Files

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 28, 2026

NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION vs. ROBINSON, RYAN N

On January 10, 2026 a county civil - $15,001 - $30,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

13 Files

Filed

Jan 10, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $15,001 - $30,000

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 28, 2026

CAVALRY SPV I, LLC, AS ASSIGNEE OF WESTLAKE SERVICES, LLC vs. ECONOMY, LESLIE REANE

On January 10, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

11 Files

Filed

Jan 10, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 28, 2026

AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK vs. xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxx M

On January 9, 2026 a county civil - $15,001 - $30,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

35 Files

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $15,001 - $30,000

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 27, 2026

HUDSON, WILLIAM E vs. STATE FARM FLORIDA INSURANCE COMPANY

On January 9, 2026 a county civil - $30,001 - $50,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

12 Files

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $30,001 - $50,000

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 28, 2026

AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK vs. LUGO, DENNIS

On January 8, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

12 Files

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 27, 2026

AUTOVEST FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC vs. WHITE, CHARLESTON RICARDO

On January 7, 2026 a county civil - $15,001 - $30,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

13 Files

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $15,001 - $30,000

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 26, 2026

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. vs. BAGBY, BENJAMIN J

On January 7, 2026 a county civil - $15,001 - $30,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

19 Files

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $15,001 - $30,000

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 27, 2026

AUTOVEST FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC vs. TROY, CHRISTOPHER LEIGH

On January 7, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 26, 2026

NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION A FEDERAL CREDIT UNION vs. CASTRENCE, CHRISTOPHER B

On January 5, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

19 Files

Filed

Jan 05, 2026

Status

Summary Judgment

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 26, 2026

LVNV FUNDING LLC vs. PELT, JAYSON C

On January 5, 2026 a county civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

8 Files

Filed

Jan 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 26, 2026

HOLLAND, GARRET C vs. SANTIAGO, LUIS LOZADA

On January 3, 2026 a county civil - $15,001 - $30,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

15 Files

Filed

Jan 03, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $15,001 - $30,000

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 26, 2026

MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, INC. vs. KELLY, DAVID

On January 2, 2026 a county civil - $30,001 - $50,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

8 Files

Filed

Jan 02, 2026

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $30,001 - $50,000

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 26, 2026

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. vs. COPELAND, MATTHEW

On August 1, 2025 a county civil - $15,001 - $30,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

15 Files

Filed

Aug 01, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

COUNTY CIVIL - $15,001 - $30,000

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 16, 2025

PLAINS COMMERCE BANK VS Aaron Brewer-Hester et al.

On March 24, 2025 a real estate - foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

10 Files

Filed

Mar 24, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Escambia County

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Real Estate - Foreclosure

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 25, 2025

THOMPSON, BRANDON vs. MYERS, DEBRA

On December 3, 2024 an ejectment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

Filed

Dec 03, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EJECTMENT

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 08, 2025

THE ESTATE OF: RITCHIE, WALTER ALAN

On July 30, 2024 a probate - formal case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

Filed

Jul 30, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

PROBATE - FORMAL

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

General Probate

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 20, 2025

STATE OF FLORIDA vs. POSEY, THOMAS WAY

On January 4, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Escambia County. Judge R. Scott Ritchie presiding.

Filed

Jan 04, 2023

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. R. Scott Ritchie 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for R. Scott Ritchie

Court

Circuit

County

Escambia County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 07, 2025

About

R. Scott Ritchie
Current Appointment Escambia County Court, Department Division 5	Escambia County Court, Department Division 5
Election/Appointment November 8, 2022 - Escambia County Court	November 8, 2022 - Escambia County Court
Education J.D., Florida State University College of Law - 2003 Bachelor's degree, University of Florida - 2000	J.D., Florida State University College of Law - 2003 Bachelor's degree, University of Florida - 2000
Official Website www.firstjudicialcircuit.org	www.firstjudicialcircuit.org