APPELLATE PANEL CREATED FOR COUNTY CRIMINAL CASES

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Two years after creating a three-judge panel process for county civil appeals, the 17^th Judicial Circuit has adopted a similar appeals process for county criminal cases in Broward. Beginning July 1, 2015, all pending county criminal appeals and civil traffic infraction appeals will be transferred to the newly established circuit criminal division AC, as outlined in Administrative Order 2015-18-Gen. “Three judge panels provide a more efficient and timely disposition to pending appeals; assure more streamlined and consistent decisions; and bring the 17th Judicial Circuit in line with every other circuit in this state,” says Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein.

Judges presiding on the criminal appellate panel will be chosen by Circuit Criminal Administrative Judge Martin Bidwill, on a six-month rotation schedule. The initial judges to preside are the Honorable Lisa Porter, the Honorable Jeffrey Levenson, and the Honorable Raag Singhal.

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Nina W. Di Pietro was sworn in as the 17^th Circuit’s newest county court judge today, by Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein. Judge Di Pietro, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, was appointed to the Broward bench on April 30 by Governor Rick Scott. Prior to her appointment, she was in private practice since 2008, and served as an assistant public defender from 2006-2008. Judge Di Pietro received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University. 

Congratulations, and welcome to the 17th Judicial Circuit! 

Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, who oversees the 17th Circuit’s misdemeanor mental health court, has been honored with a 2015 Award of Excellence by the National Council for Behavioral Health. In the category of Advocacy Leadership Awards, Judge Lerner-Wren was recognized as the Elected Official Service in Advocacy for her efforts to expand access to services for people living with mental illness and addiction.

Judge Lerner-Wren presides over the country’s first misdemeanor mental health court, which was established in Broward County, Florida in 1997. She was instrumental in replicating the implementation of this program on a national level; to date, many jurisdictions have replicated Broward County’s model. The court’s goal is to divert mentally ill people, charged with misdemeanor and non-violent offenses, into community-based treatment programs instead of incarceration.

The awards ceremony will take place in Orlando in April. Congratulations, Judge Lerner-Wren, for this prestigious recognition of your dedication to the mental health community! 

For Immediate Release                                                 February 12, 2015

CHIEF JUDGE RE-ELECTED TO TWO YEAR TERM 

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Peter M. Weinstein was re-elected to lead the 17^th Judicial Circuit today for a third term as Chief Judge of the state’s second-largest circuit. Voted in by a majority of the 88 active judges serving Broward County, Judge Weinstein officially begins his new term July 1, 2015.

First elected as Chief in February 2011, Judge Weinstein brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his role.  “I know that it is imperative we take steps to move forward in a positive direction, and as Chief Judge, I pledge to work with all the Judges in the circuit to make that happen,” he says.  Chief Judge Weinstein says, “I am truly honored to once again lead the distinguished judges and magistrates of this circuit. The many accomplishments this court has seen is a clear reflection of their dedication to our justice system.”

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Prosecutor Stephen Zaccor was appointed to the 17th Circuit county court bench on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 by Governor Rick Scott. A 17-year veteran of the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, Judge Zaccor was selected to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gary Cowart in October. 

The 17th Circuit family extends a warm welcome to Judge Stephen Zaccor!