The 17^th Judicial Circuit is delighted to announce the appointment of Circuit Court Judge Marlon J. Weiss to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Judge Weiss currently presides in the Circuit’s Family Division. Governor Ron DeSantis made the appointment on September 4^.

“On behalf of the entire 17th Judicial Circuit, we congratulate Judge Marlon Weiss on his appointment to the 4th DCA and wish him all the best,” said Chief Judge Carol Lisa Phillips.

The elevation comes 16 months after Gov. DeSantis had appointed Judge Weiss to the Circuit Court bench on May 19, 2025 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge Jack Tuter. Judge Weiss is the second judge from the 17th Judicial Circuit to recently be elevated to the Fourth DCA. Judge Johnathan D. Lott was appointed in October 2025 to serve on the Fourth DCA after a year on the Circuit Court bench.

Hearing officers and magistrates spent their lunch hour stuffing teddy bears to help make the court experience a little less scary for children.

The bears will find a home in Dependency Court, where they will be given to children whose families are involved in the court system. The cuddly companions are meant to provide a little comfort and reassurance during what can be an uncertain and difficult time.

Our volunteer bear stuffers assembled nearly 20 teddy bears for young children — proving that sometimes a small gesture can make a big difference.

The historic “double” investiture on Aug. 28 for Judge Jeremy I. Franker was a first for the 17^th Judicial Circuit.

The former federal prosecutor – who was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the County Court bench on Feb. 25 – was scheduled to have his County Court investiture on Aug. 28 when he was notified of Aug. 19 of a big change: the Governor was elevating him to the Circuit Court bench. The unusual circumstances marked the first time a judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit has been elevated to another court before the investiture for the first judicial appointment.

The news meant plans for Judge Franker’s Aug. 28th formal robing ceremony for County Court had to quickly be revised to also include an investiture for Circuit Court. Judge Franker’s double investiture in courtroom 17150 meant two proclamations (one for County Court and one for Circuit Court) and some last minute program changes.

Welcome to the Circuit Court bench Judge Franker!