The 17th Circuit welcomed the members of the Center for Independent Living Broward on June 23, 2023. Members of the Center visited the Broward County Courthouse as part of their summer program where they learn more about career development and community engagement.

Members of the center spent time with several judges including Judge Natasha DePrimo, Judge Michael Davis and Judge Fabienne E. Fahnestock who spoke with the group about the role of a judge and the impact they can have on the justice system.

The Young Lawyers Section of the Broward County Bar Association hosted a breakfast with the 17th Circuit’s Judiciary on Friday, June 23, 2023. The breakfast serves as an opportunity for judges and young lawyers to become more acquainted with each other.

On June 20, 2023, the Honorable Jackie Powell spoke as the keynote speaker for the Broward Parent Leadership Training Institute graduation ceremony.

Broward Parent Leadership Training Institute, also known as Broward PLTI, is a free program for parental figures and other adults who wish to better the lives of children.

The 17th Judicial Circuit welcomed a large group of Middle and High School aged students of the BSO Explorer program on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Students from various parts of Broward County participated in an open dialogue with several different judges and attorneys who helped to inform and educate them about the judicial system. Students also learned about Teen Court and visited both the BSO Crime Lab and Crime Scene Unit.

The 17th Circuit sends a big thanks to Judge Catalina Avalos, Judge Florence Taylor Barner, Judge Deborah Carpenter-Toye, Judge George Odom, Jr., Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor, Chief Assistant Public Defender David Wheeler, and all Court Administration Staff who helped out for all their time and effort, and for helping to make the BSO Explorers’ trip unforgettable!

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, Dependency Drug Court, Early Childhood Court and Juvenile Drug Court partnered with Delinquency and Dependency courts to host a lunch and learn presentation with Guy A. Wheeler as their guest speaker. Wheeler, formerly the Assistant Director of Community Control with the BSO Office of Lauderhill, is known for his expertise in rehabilitation with the forming of the Guy Wheeler Group, PA (DBA) and the Justice for Life Institute (GAWG).

The presentation titled “The Absent Parent/Father and How it Impacts Youth” discussed how youth are affected by the absence of parental figures and how to address their trauma.
Seen here in the photograph from left to right are Juvenile Delinquency/Dependency Drug Court Coordinator, Beth Plotkin, Speaker, Guy A. Wheeler, and Early Childhood Court & Dependency Drug Court Program Coordinator, Trent Baker.

The 17th Judicial Circuit and the City of Fort Lauderdale announce that the Fort Lauderdale location of Community Court will now reopen at the Operation Sacred Trust building at 201 SE 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Court will be in session from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

For more information on the reopening of the Fort Lauderdale Community Court, click the link below:
Ftlcity.info.ccnewlocation