Members of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit’s judicial assistants association held a toy drive for the holidays, delivering donated gifts and toys to children at a local area hospital last week. Several members of the group helped transport and distribute the goodies to some very happy children.
Eleven new Traffic Hearing Officers were sworn in last week, adding to the existing team that assists the Seventeenth Circuit’s County Court Judges with the ever increasing civil infraction caseload. Thousands of municipal parking and traffic violation cases are heard in Broward County monthly. The Traffic Hearing Officers hear cases in all four courthouses in the county.
Last week, Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver Kenny Stills visited Judge Stacy Ross’ courtroom in the central courthouse to share inspirational stories with children in the juvenile system, regarding the challenges that he overcame to play in the NFL. His visit was part of a long-time program, dubbed “Dolphin Day,” that was originally started by Judge Howard Zeidwig almost 15 years ago and is now carried on by Judge Stacy Ross. The purpose of Dolphin Day is for athlete role models to show the teenagers in court that they’re on the wrong path and inspire them to get on the right one.
This morning, Judge Natasha DePrimo was sworn in by Chief Judge Jack Tuter, as her commission begins today, December 10. Judge DePrimo was appointed to the county bench by Governor Rick Scott. Judge DePrimo will serve at the West satellite courthouse in Plantation.
Congratulations, and welcome Judge DePrimo!
Friday, December 7 was an exciting day in our Circuit’s Family Division 41. The Collaborative Law Pro Bono Pilot Project was launched with the aim to provide self-represented parents in divorce and paternity cases with a team of professionals to help them resolve their dispute without litigation.
Another successful Suspended Driver License Clinic was held at the central courthouse yesterday with more than 150 customers utilizing services in a “one stop” environment. Over 160 cases were heard by the judiciary, and over 100 attendees were either issued a driver license/ID, reinstated a suspended one, or received guidance on how to do so. Thanks to the Clerk of Courts, Brenda D. Forman and her staff, Chief Judge Jack Tuter, Judge Robert F. Diaz, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Revenue and all other stakeholders that helped to make this event a success!
