And the Chief Judge Award for Excellence Goes to …. Sunny!! Congratulations!

Congratulations to Sunil “Sunny” Nemade, the Chief Technology Officer for the 17th Judicial Circuit, for being chosen as recipient of the Chief Judge Award for Excellence! Judge Tuter presented Sunny with this prestigious award last month during his State of the Circuit presentation. Sunny was hired by Court Administration in 1987, after working in Broward County’s IT Department for three years. He has played a pivotal role in modernizing the court’s IT systems, transitioning from IBM mainframe terminals to advanced systems while creating statewide networks and specific programs tailored to serve our judges.  Sunny’s tireless devotion to the job and his desire to modernize and update aging technology has positioned this court as the most progressive in the state of Florida. Astoundingly, Sunny makes himself available 24/7 to handle IT emergencies and updates of any kind, even when he travels overseas to visit family in India and has to work remotely. And on top of it all, he delivers top notch service – always – with a smile. Well-deserved, Sunny. We are fortunate to have you on our team! #17thJudTeam

International Students Learn About County Court

A group of Brazilian students who are studying English at TLA Language Academy in Fort Lauderdale visited Judge Deborah Carpenter-Toye this week for a close-up look at the court system in action. The students observed court proceedings for about an hour, then peppered Judge Carpenter-Toye with questions about the system. TLA is an immersion school for international learners and business executives. @tla_florida #17thJudTeam

Stepping Inside the Courtroom: Phyl’s Academy Preparatory School Gets a Firsthand Look

Approximately 25 students from Phyl’s Academy Preparatory School in Margate witnessed a range of trials and hearings during a courthouse tour that took them from the West to North and then down to Interpreting. Students visited the courtrooms of Judges Jeffrey R. Levenson, Michael J. Orlando and George Odom Jr. where they peppered the judges with questions, posed for photos and checked out the bench. The students also visited Court Interpreting, where our interpreting staff explained what it means to be an interpreter and demonstrated the three different kinds of interpreting. Thanks to all who made this tour so wonderful! #17thJudTeam

Administering the Oath of Office

County Court Judge Jackie Powell administered the Oath of Office to the 2025 President and Board of Directors of the Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce during a special ceremony on January 23, 2025. Judge Powell regularly mentors students, visits schools, and is involved in a wide range of community outreach throughout the year. Thank you for all you do! #17thJudTeam

Judicial Mentors Help Teens Learn to Navigate the Law

Broward Circuit Judges George Odom Jr. and Keathan B. Frink – along with Broward Public Defender Gordon Weekes and several law enforcement officers – met on Saturday with members of the Lamp Lighters Club of Fort Lauderdale to discuss ways to handle legal encounters with confidence and success. The program,  “Know Your Rights: How to Engage with Law Enforcement,” was a conversation aimed at providing the teens with tools to better navigate brushes with the law. The Lamp Lighters Club is a mentorship program operated by the Zeta Chi chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Mr. Weekes is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and Judges Odom and Frink are members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The group met in Judge Odom’s courtroom. @gordon_weekes

A Proclamation, Awards and Lots of Praise: The 2025 State of the Circuit

Chief Judge Jack Tuter heaped praise on the judges and employees of the 17th Judicial Circuit on Friday during a State of the Circuit speech that was filled with admiration, humor and heartfelt sincerity. Judge Tuter, who is stepping down in July after serving eight years as chief judge, received a standing ovation during the event. In attendance were nearly 40 judges, along with numerous court administration employees, county officials and members of the Broward County Bar Association. Broward County Vice Mayor Mark Bogen presented Judge Tuter with a proclamation declaring Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 as “17th Circuit Court Appreciation Day.” Judge Tuter also presented “Friends of the Court” awards to Vice Mayor Bogen, Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero, and attorney Eugene Pettis, co-founder of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm. Chief Technology Officer Sunil “Sunny” Nemade received the  Chief Judge Award for Excellence for his decades of dedicated and innovative service to the 17th Judicial Circuit. Congratulations to all and thank you Judge Tuter for your service.


Facebook
YouTube