Peter M. Weinstein was chosen to lead the 17th Judicial Circuit today for a second appointment as Chief Judge of the state’s second-largest circuit court system. Voted in by a majority of the 90 judges serving Broward County, Judge Weinstein officially begins his new term July 1, 2013. 
First elected as Chief in February 2011, Judge Weinstein brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his role. “I’m very proud of the advances we’ve made over the last two years, including the creation of a Veterans Treatment Court and implementing electronic filing,” he says. “As Chief Judge, I plan to continue efforts to improve the online capabilities of our courts, and work on new initiatives such as Homeless Court.”
Of the vote of confidence his re-election signifies, 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.”

Nine new judges were officially sworn in to serve the 17th Judicial Circuit in an afternoon robing ceremony, Friday, January 18, 2013. Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein presided over the ceremony, welcoming both circuit and county court judges to the bench.  
Those honored are:
Circuit Judges – Tim Bailey (Family); Ari Abraham Porth (Mental Health/Drug Court); Lynn Rosenthal (Criminal); Michael I. Rothschild (Criminal); Elizabeth A. Scherer (Juvenile Dependency); Laura M. Watson (Family)
County Judges – Christopher Pole (Criminal); Kathleen McHugh (Domestic Violence); Olga Levine (Criminal) 
The 17th Circuit welcomes all our new judges!

The 17^th Judicial Circuit is proud to recognize Senior Judge Joel Lazarus and County Court Judge Gisele Pollack, who were honored at the Broward County Crime Commission’s 33^rd annual Criminal Justice Dinner on October 18, 2012.

Receiving the Frank R. Pinter Lifetime Achievement Award was Judge Lazarus, who was cited as the “consummate Criminal Justice representative in Broward County” for his many years of service in the legal field, including his time as a prosecutor and the nearly two decades he’s spent on the bench.

Judge Pollack received the Justice Leadership Award for her role as the circuit’s misdemeanor drug court judge. 

Due to Tropical Storm Issac and the subsequent closure of the 17th Judicial Circuit court system on August 27, 2012, the Florida Supreme Court has issued the following Administrative Order for an Emergency Request to Extend Time Periods Under All Florida Rules of Procedure for Broward County.

http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/clerk/adminorders/2012/AOSC12-40.pdf