Congratulations to Judge John D. Fry, recipient of the Broward County Bar Association’s Florida Patriot Award. Judge Fry, a former Marine, presides over county misdemeanor mental health court. This award recognizes veterans in the legal community whose service to our country and our community sets them apart. Judge Fry is truly a standout. We are proud to have you on our team!
Congratulations to Brittany Simpson Joseph for your appointment to the state Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy. Brittany is the Director of the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Court Mediation and Arbitration Program. Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos G. Muñiz appointed Brittany to this prestigious committee, which reviews all the governing rules of the court-appointed mediators. As a committee member, Brittany will contribute her thoughts to any pending cases or needed updates. The 17th Judicial Circuit is lucky to have you on our team, Brittany!
All Broward Courts will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. The affected courthouses include the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, the North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach, the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation and the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood. All four courthouses will re-open on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court of Florida has issued an Administrative Order that addresses emergency procedures and extends time periods under all Florida Rules of Procedure for Broward County in the wake of a water leak that unexpectedly forced the closure of our South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood on March 31, 2025. Read the Administrative Order HERE.
The 17th Judicial Circuit was well-represented at the 2025 National Conference on Juvenile Justice in Boston. Six employees attended the event, which was put on by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. During the March 16-19 conference, our staff heard presentations on family violence and domestic relations and child welfare and juvenile law. Pictured left to right are Janelle May, Pierre Gaston, Ebony Bakare, Gerlande Felix, Beth Plotkin and Ismael Romero. Thank you for all you do.
Fourth and fifth graders from Floranada Elementary School got a chance on Thursday to learn first-hand about the judiciary when Judge Tabitha B. Eves stopped by to visit on Career Day. Judge Eves answered questions about what it means to be a judge, showed students her robe and took pictures with the class during her visit.
