cynthia-imperato

Cynthia Imperato has spent her career making careful decisions grounded in experience and steady judgment. Her work as a cop, prosecutor, judge, educator, and board member reflects her commitment to public service and to improving the systems that guide and protect communities. She took on challenging assignments, mentored young lawyers, and supported reforms to improve courtroom safety and fairness. Throughout her professional life, she upheld the responsibility that comes with public trust.

Cindy began her career as a police officer in Tallahassee, where she gained practical experience that later shaped her approach to legal work. Her education provided a strong foundation for the responsibilities she would assume later. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech with majors in psychology and sociology, an M.S. from the School of Criminology at Florida State University, and a J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law. These academic experiences strengthened her ability to understand complex investigations and the demands of criminal law.

After completing law school, Imperato joined the Office of Statewide Prosecution. She served there for thirteen years as a Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor, where she handled grand jury presentations and significant prosecutions involving multi-jurisdictional organized crime. Her caseload included racketeering, homicide, home invasions, narcotics trafficking, white-collar fraud, police corruption, and gang-related violence. She frequently coordinated investigations that required cooperation across county and state boundaries. During her time in this role, she helped draft and revise Florida’s gang legislation and led the first successful state racketeering prosecution of a street gang. She spoke at the Florida Intelligence Unit in 1994 and 1995 and served as an instructor at the first Multi-Agency Gang Task Force Conference in 1996.

In January 2003, Governor Bush appointed Cynthia Imperato to the Circuit Court bench, where she served for thirteen years before retiring in 2016. She presided over criminal matters and also contributed to judicial education at the statewide level. Cindy trained Judicial Nominating Committees, chaired the Judicial Nominating Criminal Procedures Committee, and worked on statewide rule-making as part of the Criminal Rules Committee. Colleagues often relied on her guidance on procedural and evidentiary matters. 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 served on the Florida Judicial College video faculty, where she helped train new judges and presented workshops on probation violations, jury instructions, and capital caseload management.

Education has remained an essential part of her work. For nearly two decades, she served as an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Law, teaching Criminal Pretrial Practice. Earlier, she taught criminal justice courses at Tallahassee Community College. Her presentations at state and national conferences have addressed organized crime, street gangs, white-collar fraud, diversity in the judiciary, and evidence in complex prosecutions. Her 1993 publication, An Assessment of Florida Gangs and Recommendations for Law Enforcement, was published in Women Police Magazine.

Cynthia Imperato is a member of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers and has been involved in several professional organizations. She served as President of the Stephen R. Booher Inn of Court and later as President of the St. Thomas More Society of Broward County. She also served on the Florida Bar Criminal Law Section, the Executive Council of the Criminal Law Section, the Criminal Rules Committee, and the Professionalism Committee for the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Her community involvement includes service on the American Red Cross, Broward County Crime Commission, PACE Center for Girls, and Fort Lauderdale Pre-Law Magnate Program advisory boards. She also worked with Women in Distress and Covenant House. These roles allowed her to support youth, families, and public safety initiatives.

Throughout her career, Cindy Imperato has shown a steady commitment to fairness and preparation. She leaves behind a legacy shaped by public service, mentorship, and dedication to the legal system.