Fourth- and fifth-graders from Margate Elementary visited the courthouse this week for a morning of questions, answers and civics in action!

First, the students visited Judge Natasha DePrimo’s courtroom, where they asked about everything from the death penalty to probate. After posing for photos, they headed to the Lamar Warren Law Library in the criminal wing for a civics trivia game led by Janelle Floyd, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Broward Public Defender’s Office. The winners scored candy.

Their morning wrapped up with a one-on-one Q&A session with Circuit Court Judge Thomas J. Coleman, whom the students grilled relentlessly about just about everything!

It was a fun morning of curiosity, lively questions and hands-on learning that brought the justice system to life for these young students.

If you have served on a jury in the 17th Judicial Circuit, please take our jury duty survey by scanning the QR code. We want to share your stories. Help us get the word out about the importance of Jury Duty! Tell us about your jury duty experience! #civicduty

Joseph Auspitz became a lawyer this week! ⚖️🎉

On October 7, Judge Michele Towbin Singer administered the Oath of Attorney to Joseph in her courtroom, making it official: Joseph can now practice law!

The Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law graduate recently learned that he passed the July 2026 Florida Bar Exam. Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment. We wish you all the best as you begin your legal career!

Students from First Baptist Academy got a firsthand look at the justice system during a courthouse tour that took them from the 16th floor of the West Tower to the first floor of the Criminal Wing.

Along the way, they visited the courtrooms of Judges N. Hunter Davis and Pascale Achille, met Assistant Public Defender Phyllis Cook, asked questions, posed for photos and even visited the jury room.

It was a day when civics class became real—bringing the justice system to life for these students.

Congratulations to Judge Lorena V. Mastrarrigo, recipient of the Gavel Award. Judge Mastrarrigo was among the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Hispanic judges who came together Thursday at Nova Southeastern University to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize the many contributions of Hispanic members of our judiciary.

We are proud to recognize Judge Mastrarrigo and to celebrate all of our Hispanic judges whose service, leadership and dedication strengthen our courts and the communities we serve.

The Gavel Award is presented during the annual Behind the Gavel celebration, hosted jointly by the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association (BCHBA) and the Broward County Bar Association (BCBA). The award recognizes a distinguished member of Broward County’s Hispanic judiciary or a past president for outstanding service, leadership and dedication to the legal community.

Held annually during Hispanic Heritage Month, Behind the Gavel celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of Hispanic judges and magistrates in Broward County’s 17th Judicial Circuit.