All Posts in "Court Updates"

Drug Court, Mental Health Initiatives Showcased at Problem-Solving Court Conference

Our drug court and mental health initiatives took the spotlight during a recent Problem-Solving Court Conference in Orlando attended by nearly 400 people involved with Florida’s treatment courts. Our very own felony drug court team — including Judge Michael Davis, Russell Edwards, Reggie Williams, Ben Francois and Christine DeCicco – learned they had been selected as a national mentor drug court from more than 4,000 treatment courts across the nation. Judge Michele Towbin Singer served as training committee chair for the executive committee that planned and executed the conference. Shout out to everyone from the 17th Judicial Circuit whose amazing work makes such a difference every day!

by — December 18, 2024 in Announcements
Florida Problem-Solving Court Conference Draws Contingent from 17th Judicial Circuit

Trent Baker, Juvenile PSC Program Coordinator, and Tiffany Jackson, Early Childhood Court Coordinator, recently attended a “Florida Problem-Solving Court Conference” in Orlando hosted by the Office of the State Court Administrator and the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals. Kudos to these members of our standout team of professionals who work hard each day to help improve the lives of others.

by — December 17, 2024 in Announcements
Middle Schoolers Try “Murder” Case at Mock Trial: State of Fla. vs. Teaberry Olson

It was a whodunnit of the craziest kind and the middle schoolers who were “trying” the case were determined to ferret out the truth. Did Tee Olson kill a homeless woman who was blackmailing him because his cafe served horsemeat? Could the meat delivery guy offer any clues? And what about the teen who usually loitered by the dumpster but disappeared after the murder? Students from Sunrise Middle School, William Dandy Middle School, Seminole Middle School, Nova Middle School, and Beachside Montessori Village argued their cases before Judges Michele Towbin Singer and Kenneth A. Gottleib in search of a verdict.

by — December 12, 2024 in Announcements
Celebrating Decades of Public Service: 5 Judges Retire

Nearly 60 county and circuit court judges celebrated decades of service, friendship and memories at a special luncheon to honor five retiring judges whose years on the bench totaled a combined 125 years of service. Retiring judges included: Judge Louis H. Schiff, 28 years; Judge Robert W. Lee, 27 years; Judge Robert F. Diaz, 32 years; Judge Terri-Ann Miller, 18 years; and Judge John Murphy III, 20 years. Thank you for dedicating your lives to so many years of public service. Onto the next chapter! Enjoy your retirement. Read our press release HERE.

by — December 11, 2024 in Announcements
Visiting the Courthouse & Learning About the Law

Students from Sawgrass Springs Middle School got a close up look at how court interpreters do their job, then visited Judges Michael J. Orlando, Deborah Carpenter-Toye and retiring Judge Robert F. Diaz in their respective courtrooms. Each judge took time to explain the in-progress proceedings, then fielded questions from the students during impromptu Q&A sessions. Special thanks to Phillippe Dumoulin, who took time to explain and then demonstrate how court interpreting works so the students could watch and learn.

by — December 10, 2024 in Announcements
Making a Difference by Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders

Helping students in grades 6-12 develop leadership skills and academic success is what the Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders program is all about. It’s also why Judge Jackie Powell recently visited Lauderdale Lakes Middle School to induct the 2024-2025 board members of the Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders Club into office. That day, 46 students took an oath to pursue academic excellence under her watch. This peer-to-peer mentoring program focuses on student engagement and school completion. Goals include increasing graduation rates, reducing dropout rates, improving academic advancement and helping students progress. Thank you Judge Powell for making such a difference! Judge Powell was recently honored by the Caribbean Bar Assocation for community service. Read our press release here: http://www.17th.flcourts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Judge-Jackie-Powell-Award.pdf

by — December 9, 2024 in Announcements
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