Cynthia Imperato

Cynthia Imperato has devoted her career to public service, applying steady judgment and a careful approach to every role she has held. As a cop, prosecutor, judge, educator, and board member, she took on demanding responsibilities and worked to support fairness within the legal system. She mentored young lawyers, encouraged practical improvements, and focused on strengthening and improving court processes for the communities she served.

She began her professional path as a police officer in Tallahassee. The time she spent on patrol shaped her understanding of how cases develop long before they reach a courtroom. This early foundation guided her as she advanced into prosecution and later judicial service. Her academic background strengthened her ability to take on these roles. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech, majoring in psychology and sociology, followed by an M.S. from the School of Criminology at Florida State University and a J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law.

After completing law school, Cynthia Imperato joined the Office of Statewide Prosecution and served thirteen years as a Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor. Her work included grand jury presentations and major cases involving multi-jurisdictional organized crime. Her caseload ranged from racketeering, homicide, and narcotics trafficking to home invasions, white-collar fraud, police corruption, and gang-related violence. She helped draft and revise Florida’s gang legislation and led the first successful state racketeering prosecution of a street gang. During this time, she spoke at the Florida Intelligence Unit in 1994 and 1995 and taught at the first Multi-Agency Gang Task Force Conference in 1996.

In January 2003, Governor Bush appointed her to the Circuit Court bench. She served for thirteen years before retiring in 2016. Cindy handled criminal matters and contributed significantly to judicial education. She trained Judicial Nominating Committees, chaired the Judicial Nominating Criminal Procedures Committee, and worked on the Criminal Rules Committee. In 2006, she spoke at the 82nd Boot Camp graduation and received a Community Service Award from all minority Bar Associations in the state. She also participated in the Florida Judicial College video faculty, presenting on probation violations, jury instructions, and capital caseload management.

Education remained important throughout her career. For nearly two decades, she taught Criminal Pretrial Practice as an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Law. Earlier, she taught criminal justice at Tallahassee Community College. Her 1993 publication, An Assessment of Florida Gangs and Recommendations for Law Enforcement, appeared in Women Police Magazine.

Her career reflects commitment, preparation, and service. Cindy Imperato’s work continues to influence the legal community and the many people she guided throughout her years in public service.