Our circuit’s own Roger DeHart traveled to Washington D.C. last week, to serve on a panel addressing human trafficking prevention. The bipartisan meeting of the Florida delegation featured Mr. DeHart as one of four panelists who were asked by members of Congress about ways to combat human trafficking. The very next day, Mr.DeHart attended a luncheon hosted by the NFL for domestic violence and human trafficking prevention advocates.

Roger started a non-profit charity, First S.T.O.P (Saving Teens and Others from Predators), to help bring more awareness to the world-wide problem of human trafficking, and planning and executing the hundreds of miles “No More Miles” walks. In 2018, he walked from the steps of the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale to the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., logging over 1,000 miles for the cause, and just last year he walked from the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco to the University of California, San Diego.

Students from Nova College Living Experience Program (CLE) spent some time with Judge Michael Davis in the South Satellite Courthouse last week. Nova’s CLE is a program that supports special needs students in academics, independent living, social skills and career development. While visiting, the students were able to observe Judge Davis’ civil docket, meet and speak with the judge and attorneys in the courtroom, and pose for pictures on the bench!

The Seventeenth Circuit Court wishes to recognize Judges Ken Gottlieb and Natasha DePrimo for their tireless service in Tallahassee working for the state court system.

Congratulations to Judge Jeffrey Levenson who was honored with the 2019 American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Judge of the Year Award, Fort Lauderdale Chapter, at their annual reception on January 25, 2020!

ABOTA’s mission is to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Friday, January 24, 2020, the Seventeenth Circuit, in conjunction with the Broward Bar Association, hosted its annual Judicial Procession and State of the Circuit address. Chief Judge Tuter talked about the year in review to the audience, taking time out to recognize some special honorees including two men who successfully completed Community Court and now have their lives back on track, and a staff member from our Self-Help Center’s 2-1-1 Broward agency who was credited with saving the life of a person in crisis who was on-site to seek help.

Additionally, the Broward County Bar Association presented Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips and Judge Dan Kanner with 2020 Friend of the Bar awards. Broward County Mayor Dale Holness also received the recognition.