Two Judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit to Serve on Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission

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Two Judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit to Serve on Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission

Big news! Circuit Court Judge Jose Izquierdo and County Court Judge Steven P. DeLuca have both been elected to serve on the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC). Judge Izquierdo was elected to the position by the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges this week and Judge DeLuca was elected to the position by the Florida Conference of County Judges earlier this summer. The FJQC is an independent agency charged with investigating allegations of judicial misconduct and disability against Florida state judges. The Chair of the Commission selects nine members to serve on the Investigative Panel and six members to serve on the Hearing Panel. Judge DeLuca previously served a six-year term on the FJQC after being elected in 2016. Congratulations to both Judge DeLuca and Judge Izquierdo for this impressive accomplishment!

by Sallie James — September 20, 2024 in Circuit Civil Judges

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 17^th 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 Sallie James — 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 20^th as “National Addiction Professionals’ Day.” Russell Edwards manages the problem-solving and treatment court. An amazing job by all!

by Sallie James — September 18, 2024 in Announcements

The 17th Judicial Circuit Court Embraces National Constitution Day

The 17th Judicial Circuit celebrates National Constitution Day in remembrance of the ratification of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. We encourage everyone to visit the National Constitution Center to learn more about the Constitution.

by Sallie James — September 17, 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 17^th 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 Sallie James — 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 Sallie James — September 12, 2024 in Announcements