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The 17th Judicial Circuit Court extends warmest congratulations to Judge Steven P. DeLuca who has been elected by the Conference of County Judges to serve on the State Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The 17th Judicial Circuit Court announces the following judicial vacancy notices:

Notice of Vacancy – Judge Merrigan

Notice of Vacancy – Judge Murphy

Chief Judge Peter Weinstein once again issues a warning to Broward County residents regarding juror scams. While it is important that citizens respond to the call for jury duty, Broward residents should know that the jury services division in the 17th circuit and law enforcement agencies throughout the county will never contact citizens via phone to solicit money or social security numbers for failure to appear at jury duty. If you are contacted by anyone telling you that there is a warrant for your arrest for failure to appear at jury duty and/or telling you that if you submit payment you will not be arrested, hang up the phone and contact Broward County Jury Services at 954-831-6089.

Effective April 7, 2014, the 17^th Judicial Circuit Court and the Clerk of Courts for the 17^th Judicial Circuit jointly announce free Wi-Fi access to electronic court records. Access to clerk of court filings may be obtained via the Court’s wireless Wi-Fi access points throughout all four Broward County courthouses; Main Courthouse downtown in Fort Lauderdale, West Courthouse in Plantation, North Courthouse in Deerfield Beach, and South Courthouse in Hollywood.

All citizens, attorneys, law enforcement or state agencies, and any other interested parties will be able to access the clerk of court’s website and obtain efiled pleadings, case information and other matters of record that have been filed in a particular case.

The website service permitting access to Clerk of Court records is Broward County Electronic Court Records which can be found at http://ecr.browardclerk.info. This website will permit anyone to search and view case details or other electronically filed images attached to a particular case.

Please remember certain clerk of court files contain a hybrid of efiled documents or images and original paper filed documents. Website access only permits viewing of efiled images.

Users of the web service should access the site via Wi-Fi enabled devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and iPads utilizing web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. Other portable devices may be able to connect, but viewing may be limited based on a device’s display capabilities.

To access the service while in a courthouse:

1. Connect your device to wireless network “Courthouse Public Wi-Fi”.

2. Enter http://ecr.browardclerk.info in your browser and accept website disclaimer to continue.  

3. Begin your search by entering the name of a party, case number or other search criteria depending on the type of case.

4. Access to court records are dictated by the Florida Supreme Court and therefore   confidential filings and other images not approved for public view may not be available.

5. Document images may not be downloaded or printed.

Please note a few variables that may impact the ability to access case records:

* The website may not be compatible with all portable devices or web browsers. 

* Wi-Fi coverage may not be available in certain areas of the Courthouse.  

* Guidelines for use of laptops and portable devices in the courtrooms are at the discretion of the Chief Judge, individual Division Judges and Court Administration.

* For help, technical support, and questions about the website, contact   ecr@browardclerk.org 

Congratulations to Judge Edward Merrigan who was appointed to the Circuit Court bench on Friday, March 20 by Governor Rick Scott. A County Court judge since 2009, Judge Merrigan has presided in the county criminal division as well as Broward Veterans’ Treatment Court. 

Judge Merrigan received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law and began his career as an attorney in 1989. He also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and was recently promoted to the rank of Colonel. 

On behalf of the entire 17th Circuit family, well done Judge Merrigan! 

In consultation with the Hon. Howard Forman, Clerk of the Courts, the following divisions will start mandatory efiling effective 1/6/14. All other divisions are already getting e filed documents. 

Appeals (for criminal)

Circuit Criminal

County Criminal

Civil Traffic

Criminal Traffic

Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile Dependency