This past Friday, the Central Courthouse hosted approximately 80 high schoolers who were participating in a Congressional Debate Tournament, sponsored by the School Board of Broward County. The half-day event took place in four different courtrooms, with judges “judging” the arguments from the teens. The group represented public schools from all across Broward County.

Volunteers with the Broward County Bar Association’s Family Law Section and the Broward County Women Lawyers Association came together on Saturday, December 7, 2019 to help organize the Susan Aramony Clothing Closet.  The Closet, named in memory of Judge Susan J. Aramony, a strong advocate of children and families, has been in operation since 2013.  The Closet provides free clothes, shoes, belts, ties, purses and more, for men, women and children involved with the court system.  Participants are welcome to shop for business attire, everyday wear, prom dresses and evening wear, and children’s attire.

Volunteers organized donations made to the closet, to help create a great shopping atmosphere for those in need.  Several years ago, Macy’s donated display furniture but the clothing donations came in faster than Court Administration could keep up with. The time and effort the volunteers put in this weekend helped restore the functionality of the Clothing Closet once again!

Last week, Judge Olga Levine hosted a continued learning education (CLE) training course at the Broward Bar Association’s headquarters in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Court administration staff presented “Navigating the 17th Circuit Website for County Civil Practitioners” for an audience of attorneys, legal staff, and judges.

Community Court continues to help the homeless overcome their obstacles, recently helping two with cancer obtain treatment, complete community service and graduate!

County Court Jurisdiction Changes

On January 1, 2020, changes in Florida state law and the Florida Rules of Procedure will go into effect, changing where a variety of court actions are heard.

• County court jurisdictional thresholds increase to $30,000 on January 1, 2020.
• Small claims cases as of January 1, 2020, will include amounts in dispute up to $8,000.
• Filers will be required to include a civil cover sheet specifying the dollar amount in dispute in cases exceeding $8,000 in value.
• The new law maintains current rules that limit the provision of subsidized court mediation services to county court cases with an amount in controversy up to $15,000.
• State law provides that on January 1, 2020, appeals of county court orders or judgments with an amount in controversy greater than $15,000 will be heard by the district courts of appeal until January 1, 2023, when the provision repeals.

For more information, visit, https://www.flcourts.org/Know-Your-Court/