All Posts in "Court Updates"

Bridging Language Gaps in Court

Meet the court interpreters who provide in-house Spanish and Haitian Creole interpreting services to defendants and witnesses in court proceedings at all four of Broward County’s Court locations. The 17th Judicial Circuit has 12 Spanish and two Haitian Creole interpreters on staff. The Interpreters Office also provides assistance with other languages like Russian and Portuguese through contractors. Did you know that interpreters translate three different ways? Simultaneously, consecutively (Q&A style) and sight translation (i.e. reading a document). And on a busy day, an interpreter may visit as many as seven different courtrooms to provide services. Our interpreters originate from a range of countries including Haiti, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Uruguay. Thank you for all you do!

by — September 19, 2024 in Announcements
Drug Court Personnel Highlight National Recovery Month 

More than 35 service providers and Drug Court personnel celebrated National Recovery Month this week with bagels, cookies and a rousing pep talk from Judge Michael Davis, who presides over Drug Court. “We are in the middle of a war zone and you are the soldiers,” Judge Davis told the group, after lauding their dedication to changing lives. During the event, Judge Davis also received a proclamation signed by Broward County Mayor Nan Rich declaring September as “Broward County’s Recovery Month” and September 20th as “National Addiction Professionals’ Day.” Russell Edwards manages the problem-solving and treatment court. An amazing job by all!

by — September 18, 2024 in Announcements
Family Case Managers Attend Summit Aimed to Inspire

A contingent of dedicated case managers from Unified Family Courts recently traveled to Orlando where they spent three days at the 2024 Florida Children and Families Summit learning about innovative ways to help kids succeed. Among those in attendance from the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida were Delinquency Case Manager Supervisor Janelle May, Juvenile and Dependency Drug Court Coordinator Beth Plotkin, Alternative Sanctions Coordinator Laurette Elme and Delinquency Case Manager Tinamarie Medina. Also in attendance were Judges Hope Tieman Bristol, Stacey Schulman, Alberto Ribas and Jose Izquierdo (not pictured). The event offered a variety of opportunities to make connections, share skills and learn. Your dedication is what makes our team strong!

by — September 13, 2024 in Announcements
Judge Florence Taylor Barner Named Judicial Liaison to Black Women Lawyer’s Association

Judge Florence Taylor Barner has been named judicial liaison to the newly formed Bernice Gaines Dorn Black Women Lawyers Association, which recently held an information session in the law library at the NSU Shepard Broad College of Law. Bernice Gaines Dorn was the first black woman to be admitted to the Florida Bar. The group’s judicial council – the Mary Rudd Robinson Judicial Council – is named after Judge Mary Rudd Robinson, the first black female judge to serve on the bench in Broward County. The pioneering Robinson retired in 2016 after 27 years of service.

by — September 12, 2024 in Announcements
Conference Celebrates 17th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court Team

Two judges and two staffers from the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court (ECC) team represented our court at the National Cross Sites Conference last month in Dallas, Texas. Those in attendance included Judge Jose Izquierdo, Judge Hope Tieman Bristol, ECC Program Coordinator Trent Baker and Indian Child Welfare Act Court Coordinator Ta’Ami Bajamour. The annual conference for child welfare professionals, judges, court personnel, service providers and community coordinators emphasizes mental health, the importance of relationships, trauma, science, equity and compassion. The great work of infant-toddler court sites from states across the country was celebrated at the event. Congratulations to our 17th Judicial Circuit team members whose efforts change lives every day.

by — September 11, 2024 in Announcements
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