Hollywood Community Court Turns One!!

Happy first birthday Hollywood Community Court and presiding Judge Corey A. Cawthon. Amazing job! The Caring Place, where court is held, was packed this week for a one-year celebration marked by speeches, sweets and lots of joyful hugs. Hollywood Community Court is a unique venue that changes lives with compassion and caring. The City of Hollywood noticed and issued a proclamation honoring the court’s one-year anniversary. The 17th Judicial Circuit also operates Community Courts in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, where Judges Florence Taylor Barner and Betsy Benson preside. Judge Cawthon, working with the City of Hollywood and a huge array of service providers has held more than 600 hearings in the past year and paved the way for nine graduations from the program. Keep up the amazing work. Read our press release HERE. Watch the City of Hollywood’s video HERE.

A Fond Farewell and an Interview with NBC

Chief Judge Jack Tuter recently sat down with NBC reporter Tony Pipitone to discuss his impending retirement, his lengthy career as a South Florida judge, the highs and lows of his career and what he plans to do when he leaves the bench. Judge Tuter announced on Feb. 12th that he would retire from the bench on May 1, 2025. His career as a judge began in 2005 when he was appointed to the bench by then Governor Jeb Bush. He was subsequently elected in 2008 and then re-elected in 2014 and 2020. Judge Tuter has served as Chief Judge for eight years. Gov. Ron DeSantis will appoint someone to fill the final year of Judge Tuter’s six-year term. Judge Tuter, will miss you greatly! Best of luck in your next adventure! Watch the NBC news clip HERE.

Statewide Training Conference Offers Court Administration Staff Chance to Hone Skills

Court Administration staff is always looking for new ways to better serve the public and they got some guidance during a recent conference at the Florida Court Personnel Institute in Lake Buena Vista. The event, considered the marquee educational event for court employees, was designed to enhance knowledge, build skills and promote ethical standards. Its mission? To ensure the competent and fair administration of justice for all. (Pictured left to right at the Feb. 10-12th event: Beth Plotkin, Malikh Williams, Katarzyna Zielinski, Linda Lippert, Sheree Edwards & Heather Abel)

Thank you for making a difference every day!

Celebrating Black History Month with a Friendly Game Show Competition

A spirited Jeopardy! game that focused on Black history trivia was the centerpiece of a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 13 that honored more than a dozen of Broward’s Black judges and magistrates. The event – which pitted judge against judge – kicked off with speakers and presentations at NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law and ended with a game show competition that devolved in laughter. The amazing event was sponsored by the The T.J. Reddick Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association and the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Chief Judge Jack Tuter Announces May 1st Retirement, Plans to Enter Private Practice

Chief Judge Jack Tuter this week announced he will retire on May 1st and enter private practice. Judge Tuter notified Gov. Ron DeSantis of his pending retirement in a letter on Feb. 10th. Judge Tuter was appointed to the bench in 2005, elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2014 and 2020. He has served as the Circuit’s Chief Judge for the past eight years. Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips will follow Judge Tuter as Chief Judge. “It has been my honor to serve the people of the State of Florida and Citizens of Broward County for the past 20 years,” Judge Tuter said. Thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed.

Learning Ways to Improve Public Trust

Our very own Trial Court Administrator Joe D’Amico and hundreds of other court administration personnel from across the country met in Atlantic City, NJ, last week for the mid-year conference of the National Association for Court Management (NACM). Discussion focused on the theme: “Taking Action on Public Trust and Confidence.” Joe is the co-editor Court Manager, a national publication that focuses on ethics and the courts, technology and the judiciary and court management issues. Kudos to our public servants for always trying to do better! Pictured left to right: Stacey Hoskins (10th Circuit Chief Deputy Court Administrator); Elizabeth Garber (2nd Circuit TCA); Joe D’Amico (17th Circuit TCA); Holly Elomina (16th Circuit TCA).

xxx

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