Announcements
The 17th Judicial Circuit held an event for school-aged children in celebration of National Take Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Children at the event observed presentations given by the BSO K-9 Unit and the BSO Crime Scene Unit. They also learned about the anatomy of a courtroom, and participated in a mock trial with assistance from Judges Betsy Benson, Tabitha B. Eves, Florence Taylor Barner, Jackie Powell, Lorena V. Mastrarrigo and Supervising Judicial Staff Attorney Megan Zbikowski and Judicial Staff Attorney Ashley Bober.
The students of the Classical Conversations at Plantation Community participated in a mock trial at the 17th Circuit courthouse on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Students alternated roles as witnesses, the prosecution and the defense. Judge Betsy Benson presided over their trial and provided helpful constructive advice to students that participated.
The 17th Circuit’s Judicial Assistants joined Judges David A. Haimes and Carol-Lisa Phillips at a luncheon for Administrative Professional’s Day on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
The luncheon was held by the Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association to honor the administrative professionals who work hard day to day and help operations run smoothly.
Students from the Classical Conversations at Pompano Beach Community participated in a mock trial at the 17th Circuit courthouse on Friday, April 19, 2024.
During the mock trial, students alternated roles as the defense, the prosecution and the witnesses involved. Judge Betsy Benson presided over the trial and gave helpful advice and guidance to students that participated.
The Broward County Bar Association’s Wills, Trusts and Estates Section is sponsoring the
Probate and Guardianship Conference on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the 17th Circuit Courthouse.
Chief Judge Jack Tuter will be giving the opening remarks, and Judges Natasha DePrimo,
Kenneth L. Gillespie, and Nicholas Lopane will participate on a panel featuring other circuit judges from around the state.
In honor of National Volunteer Month, Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren was recognized by the United Way of Broward County on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Acknowledged for her dedication and advocacy for the mental health courts, Judge Lerner- Wren was quoted for saying “I have always been taught that by volunteering and giving back to our community, we are making the world a better place.”
Judges Stacy Ross and Elijah H. Williams represented the 17th Circuit, joining other panelists who shared their expertise on Human Trafficking and best practices of how to help prevent it.
The 17th Circuit hosted the Florida Trauma Informed Court Regional Training on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Geared toward judges, magistrates and court staff, the training was led by experts on valuable topics such as adverse childhood experiences, self-care, and the impacts of toxic stress.
Students from Pine Ridge Education Center came to visit the 17th Circuit courthouse for a tour on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
On their tour, they spoke with Public Defender Gordon Weekes, Judges Michael J. Orlando and Ari Abraham Porth, who answered questions about the American Judicial System and how a trial progresses.
Students from several middle schools across Broward County competed in a mock trial at the 17th Circuit Courthouse on Friday, April 12, 2024.
Judges Natasha DePrimo, Carol-Lisa Phillips, Ari Abraham Porth, Frank Ledee, Michael Davis, Phobee Francois and Elaine A. Carbuccia participated as judges for the mock trials and guided students through the trial process.
