On July 13, 2023, Melissa Byers, esteemed Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, visited the 17th Circuit to give a presentation on navigating the law profession and how to maintain mental health and well-being.

Byers is lauded by leaders of the St. Petersburg Bar Association for her integrity and dedication to overall wellness in the law profession. Byers is also the recipient of the Marshall R. Cassedy, SR. Award in 2020 for her extraordinary service to the Florida Bar.

The staff members of Early Childhood and Dependency Drug Court attended a virtual training on June 28, 2023. The training was about educating and informing parents/caregivers on the importance of building and maintaining healthy bonds with children and loved ones.

The training was hosted by Dr. Harleen Hutchinson of the Journey Institute, which is a non-profit that was created to help families learn how to build strong and healthy relationships with one another.

The National Association for Court Management (NACM) hosts an annual conference focusing on a different theme each year. With this year’s theme being titled Fulfilling the Promise of Justice for All through Connection, courthouse staff were brought together to learn about Racial Justice and obstacles to equity in the American Judicial System.

The 17th Circuit had several staff members attend from various departments including Case Management, Staff Attorneys, Mediation, and JIS.

General Magistrate Henrietta Jo Pace was sworn in today, July 11, 2023, by Chief Judge Jack Tuter in the ceremonial courtroom at the 17th Circuit Courthouse.

Magistrate Pace was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1988 and has a long history of aiding people in the community. She is currently assigned to the Domestic Relations division.

The Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Governor Ron DeSantis with nominees for the vacancies in the Broward Circuit Court created by the resignations of Circuit Court Judge Dale Cohen and Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer.

For details on how to apply or recommend a qualified candidate, please click on the link below:
bit.ly/CirCrtVac

The 17th Circuit Courthouse will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in observation of the holiday. Operations will commence on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.