Judge Andrea R. Gundersen participated as a Judge in the Nova Middle School Opening Statements Competition on Friday. The judge noted that the skill level of the students was impressive!

Congratulations to the Seventeenth Circuit’s newest judges, appointed by Governor DeSantis on April 14. We welcome Francis Viamontes to the Circuit bench and Catalina Avalos to the County bench!

As mentioned in a media statement from the Governor’s office on new judicial appointments across the state:

“Francis Viamontes, of Plantation, to serve as Judge on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court

Viamontes has served as an Assistant United States Attorney and Chief of the Narcotics and Violent Crimes Section for the Southern District of Florida since 2011. Previously, she served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. She received her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Miami. Viamontes fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Mily Rodriguez Powell.

Catalina Avalos, of Pembroke Pines, to serve as Judge on the Broward County Court

Avalos has served as a Director at Tripp Scott, P.A. since 2009. Previously, she served as Judge on the Broward County Court for four years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University. Avalos fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Natasha DePrimo.”

All candidates for judgeships must comply with the ethical requirements of Canon 7 of Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct. During the up-coming Judicial Campaign Forum in Broward County, the standards governing judicial elections will be explained to candidates, campaign managers, staff, the news media, and others in public forums designed to raise awareness regarding the requirements of Canon 7. All judicial candidates seeking contested seats or facing active opposition for merit retention are encouraged to attend the forums.

The forums are being organized by the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar Board of Governors in conjunction with the state’s trial court chief judges and the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.

Candidates for judicial office should visit www.floridasupremecourt.org/ Opinions/ Judicial-Ethics­Advisory-Committee for information about the forums, as well as resource materials.

WHEN: FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Broward County Courthouse
201 S.E. 6^th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33301
Courtroom 15150, West Building

WHO: All judicial candidates seeking contested seats or facing active opposition for merit retention are encouraged to attend.

17th Judicial Circuit’s CMS 3.0 Upgrade information

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY.

The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit has upgraded CMS and the new version will go into production on April 4, 2022.

The following lists important information about the implementation of the new CMS, including the times you will not be able to access CMS.

Starting on March 30, 2022, 5:00 p.m. CMS will be unavailable for all external court users.  This means you will not be able to schedule new hearings or submit agreed/proposed orders.  You may wish to contact the assigned judge’s office as to these and other related matters.

CMS will be unavailable for all registered user on April 1, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.  Access will be restored for all registered users on April 4, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

You may access the CMS 3.0 Manual here.