Students from Atlantic Technical College and Technical High School recently visited Juvenile Court and Criminal Court during a wide-ranging tour of the downtown courthouse. They peeked inside the jury room, heard presentations from the Public Defender’s Office and the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, and met Judges Elijah H. Williams and Lorena V. Mastrarrigo.

The students peppered both judges with questions, learned what it takes to become a judge, and observed judges on the bench holding court.

Hands-on learning is the best!

In observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Reflection, all courts in the 17th Judicial Circuit will be closed on Monday, September 21, 2026. This includes:

• Broward County Judicial Complex (Main Courthouse) – Fort Lauderdale
• North Regional Courthouse – Deerfield Beach
• South Regional Courthouse – Hollywood
• West Regional Courthouse – Plantation

We extend our best wishes for a meaningful day to all who observe. Regular court operations will resume on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Students from Sheridan Technical College got an up-close look at the justice system during a recent visit to the courthouse.

They visited First Appearance Court, stopped in Felony Mental Health Court—where they had the chance to sit on the bench and pose with the judge’s gavel—and even stepped inside a holding cell.

At the law library, students spoke with representatives from the Public Defender’s Office and the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, learning about the many people and professions that play a role in the justice system.

For these students, the law wasn’t just something they studied in a classroom—it became tangible, real and right in front of them.

Judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit recently gathered for a kickoff reception for new members of the Stephen R. Booher American Inn of Court at Bistro Mezzaluna in Fort Lauderdale. The Honorable Tabitha B. Eves. is the organization’s new president this year.

The event provided a great opportunity for judges to celebrate new members, network, catch up with colleagues and discuss important legal updates.

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.