The 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida celebrated the Drug Court Team on May 11, 2023, in honor of Drug Court Month. The Honorable Hope Tieman Bristol, Honorable Susan L. Alspector, Honorable Kenneth A. Gottlieb and General Magistrate Rudy Morel were presented proclamations from the Broward County Commission with Drug Court Manager Russell Edwards and Early Childhood and Dependency Drug Court Coordinator Trent Baker.

The State of Florida initiated the Drug Court movement in 1989 and created the first Drug Court of the United States in Miami Dade County. Since its creation, Drug Court has continued to reduce crime and provide better treatment outcomes for its participants.

The Honorable Florence Taylor Barner gave a presentation on Community Court Fort Lauderdale as part of the United Way Coalition’s Annual Conference on Problem Solving Courts.

Community Court Fort Lauderdale is reported to be the first successful Community Court in the state of Florida and continues to connect defendants with rehabilitative services.

The Honorable Susan L. Alspector was installed as President of the Justice Unit Voluntary Bar Association on April 23, 2023.

Several 17th Circuit judges were in attendance such as the Honorable Natasha Deprimo, the Honorable Ari Abraham Porth, the Honorable Kenneth A. Gottlieb and the Honorable Michael I. Rothschild.

Retired Chief Judge Peter Weinstein delivered the oaths of office for the board members at the installation, which was the first one that took place in-person post pandemic.

The 17th Judicial Circuit’s Community Court of Fort Lauderdale has temporarily become mobile due to Fort Lauderdale’s City Hall closing as a result of damage caused by historic flooding.

Fort Lauderdale’s Community Court will now welcome walk-ins at the Holiday Park Gymnasium at 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 on Wednesdays starting May 10, 2023. Doors to the Community Court open at 9:00 AM with the Honorable Florence Taylor Barner taking the bench at 11:00 AM.

Services and resources for the general public will continue to be provided from May 3, 2023 at the same location.

The Honorable Susan L. Alspector joined General Magistrate Rudolph Morel, Drug Court
Manager Russell Edwards and the Drug Court team to visit the FARR-Certified recovery
residence named Prodigy’s House.

The 17th Circuit is proud to work closely with Prodigy’s House as it continues to be a valuable
resource for participants in recovery. Prodigy’s House currently has two locations with one in
Pompano and one in Lauderdale Lakes.

The 17th Judicial Circuit joined the Broward County State Attorney’s Office and Broward
Sheriff’s Office in presenting an event for school-aged children in celebration of the
National Take Your Child to Work Day.

Children at the event enjoyed meeting with therapy dogs and the BSO K-9 Unit, a
presentation from the BSO Crime Lab and participating in a mock trial. Children also
met State Attorney Harold F. Pryor, Judge Florence Taylor Barner and Judge Michael
Orlando, who explained the American Judicial System.