More than 250 people attended last week’s Eleventh Annual Unified Family Court Summit, spending the day learning about the impact, latest interventions and local resources available pertaining to the opioid crisis. Speakers from around the country spoke to attendees about this mounting drug crisis, providing the latest innovations and research data in dealing with addictions in general and specifically in working with those afflicted by the opioid crisis. Participants of the summit  included  judges, case managers, attorneys, mediators, mental health professionals, child protective investigators, probation officers, guardian ad litems, school counselors, suicide prevention coordinators and child advocates.

This weekend, Judge Melinda Brown, Judge Kathleen McHugh and Judge Stacey Schulman (dressed as Thor), participated in the 15th Annual Miles for Smiles event for Broward Children’s Center.

This weekend, Judge Florence Barner spoke to the paralegal eagles club at Broward College.

The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit and the Broward County Bar Association will host the robing ceremony for new Circuit Court Judge N. Hunter Davis on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 1:30 pm in the Jury Assembly Room. The event is free to attend, and open to the public. To register, click here.

On Friday, November 2, 2018 a variety of community resources from across the county came together in front of the Broward County Central Courthouse to assist at-risk and homeless veterans at the county’s first Veteran Stand Down specialty court event. There was a steady stream of veterans throughout the day, receiving assistance from the courts in the way of resolving legal issues, and getting support services from agencies such as Legal Aid Service of Broward County, United Way of Broward County’s Mission United, the American Red Cross, Miami VA Healthcare System, and more.

On Monday, October 29, 2018, the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit officially opened its new Nursing Mothers room in the central courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The room, #12106 on the 12th floor, will serve both employees and visitors of the courthouse who need to nurse. A key for the room can be signed out in Court Administration’s Human Resources office, #20140.

Creating the space was a collaborative effort between the Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association (BCWLA), Court Administration, Judge Ross, Judge Miranda, Chief Judge Jack Tuter, and the Broward County Commission. The furniture was generously donated by City Furniture.

“The 17th Circuit is proud to accommodate nursing mothers by providing a private and comfortable room to freely pump or nurse while in the courthouse,” said Judge Stacy Ross.