Hollywood Community Court: Changing Lives, Building Hope

All Posts in "Sallie James"

Hollywood Community Court: Changing Lives, Building Hope

At Hollywood Community Court—hosted by The Caring Place—justice looks different. Instead of focusing only on punishment, the court addresses low-level misdemeanor crimes and municipal ordinance violations such as trespassing, unlawful lodging, petty theft, and park-after-hours citations by offering innovative alternatives like community service, mental health counseling, or substance abuse treatment. Judge Corey A. Cawthon presides.

Participants, ranging in age from their mid-20s to over 65, don’t need criminal charges to receive help. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, the court creates opportunities for long-term stability and success.

From February 2024 to August 2025, Hollywood Community Court has:
✅ Served 572 individuals
✅ Welcomed 70 NTA clients referred to court
✅ Held 1,010 court hearings
✅ Celebrated 17 graduates who completed community service, secured housing, increased income, and built stability
✅ Referred 1,114 services through Broward County partners

This work is only possible thanks to a strong network of community providers, including the City of Hollywood, Hollywood Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Memorial Healthcare System, Henderson Behavioral Health, BARC, SunServe, Taskforce for Ending Homelessness, Healthy Start Broward, Rak Pak, and many others. Hollywood Community court is proud to work in partnership with over 60 service providers within the local community.

Community Courts exemplify how compassion, innovation, and collaboration can transform lives—offering not only justice, but also support and opportunity to Broward County residents in need. The 17th Judicial Circuit also has Community Courts in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. 🌟

by Sallie James — September 3, 2025 in Announcements

17th Circuit Leaders Participate in Early Childhood Court Conference

From August 5–7, Court staff attended the national Early Childhood Court/Safe Babies Teams conference in Portland, Oregon. Attendees from the 17th Judicial Circuit included Judge Hope Bristol, Judge Jose Izquierdo, and Trent Baker. Judge Izquierdo presented on “Indian Child Welfare Court: A Trauma-Responsive Approach to Enhancing Trust and Collaboration.”

📸 Photos:

ChildNet Team (left): Part of our core in-court ECC team—Jamica Smith, Sherrelle Young, Terra Singletary, and Trent Baker.
10 Years of ECC in Florida (right): Group photo celebrating a decade of Early Childhood Courts in Florida, featuring Florida judges, child welfare staff, and partners, including Judge Izquierdo, Judge Bristol, and Trent Baker.

The conference, hosted by Safe Babies/Zero to Three™, focused on team-based approaches to supporting infants, toddlers, and families in the child welfare system. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Roots, Growing Our Branches,” honored our strong foundation in early childhood health, mental wellness, and parent voice—while fostering innovation and collaboration nationwide.

by Sallie James — September 1, 2025 in Announcements

Bridging Borders: 17th Circuit Hosts Delegation from Indonesia

A contingent of Indonesian judicial delegates recently visited the 17th Judicial Circuit to learn about Florida’s family court system. They discussed The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Florida’s Child Welfare system, and general family court practices with Judge Jose Izquierdo, the Circuit’s Hague Convention representative.

The group also received a detailed overview of child custody and child support procedures. Judge Izquierdo shared his expertise on Florida’s approach to international child abduction cases.

Thank you to Judge Izquierdo for hosting the delegation and to attorney Ashley Bober for participating in the visit.

The visit took place on July 23, 2025.

by Sallie James — August 29, 2025 in Announcements

All Broward Courts Closed On Monday, Sept. 1, in Observance of Labor Day

👏 The 17th Judicial Circuit extends a heartfelt thank you to all our hardworking courthouse employees — from clerks and staff to our dedicated judges. Your commitment to justice and public service helps uphold the rule of law and ensure fair, efficient access to the courts.

We also salute every hardworking individual in our community — your contributions, big and small, help keep our society moving forward. 💼⚖️💙

Thank you for all you do! All Broward Courts will re-open on Tuesday, September 2nd.

#ThankYou #HardWorkMatters #CourtStrong #JusticeInAction #17thJudicialCircuit #RuleOfLaw #PublicService #Gratitude

by Sallie James — August 28, 2025 in Announcements

Driving Teens Toward Success: Judge Williams Shares His Perspective

Circuit Judge Elijah H. Williams recently sat down with BraveMan Media for an upcoming PR campaign spotlighting the Youth Automotive Training Center, where he proudly serves on the Board of Directors. Judge Williams shared how the program equips teens with discipline, practical skills, and the tools they need to succeed long after graduation.

by Sallie James — August 15, 2025 in Announcements

Official Sign Now Marks Community Court’s Downtown Home

After being displaced following the flooding at Fort Lauderdale City Hall, the Fort Lauderdale Community Court — now located at 18 NW First Ave. in downtown Fort Lauderdale — proudly displays new signage to welcome community members seeking services. The sign marks a new chapter for the court.

📸 Pictured: Presiding Judge Florence Taylor Barner — known affectionately as Judge Flo — who continues to lead the court in its mission to connect individuals with the resources they need. Her bailiff Leticia Johnson is on the right.

by Sallie James — August 14, 2025 in Announcements