Governor Appoints Pascale Achille to Circuit Court Bench

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Governor Appoints Pascale Achille to Circuit Court Bench

We have a new judge! The 17^th Judicial Circuit is delighted to announce the appointment of Pascale Achille to the Circuit Court bench. Governor Ron DeSantis made the appointment on Monday to fill the vacancy created by the August 15^th resignation of Judge Gary M. Farmer, Jr.

Judge Achille has worked as an assistant state attorney at the Broward State Attorney’s Office for 12 years where she has been a member of the Homicide Trial Unit since 2018. She was previously assigned to the sexual battery and career criminal units. Earlier in her career, she spent eight years as a civil attorney handling federal and state matters, drafting appellate briefs and arguing before the Second and Fifth District Court of Appeal.

Welcome aboard! We are so happy you are on our team! Read our press release HERE.

by Sallie James — December 10, 2025 in Announcements

Honoring Families on National Adoption Day

National Adoption Day is just around the corner and preparations are underway for a day of festivities! Seventeen children ranging in age from toddlers to teens will be formally adopted this Saturday
during a fun-filled celebration at the Broward County Courthouse. The event will feature games, gifts and lots of joy. According to Judge John B. Bowman, “This is probably the most important day of their life.” The aim of National Adoption Day is to shine a light on this issue and stir interest in the children who are waiting to be placed in forever homes, while also celebrating those that have been adopted. Read our press release HERE.

by Sallie James — November 19, 2025 in Court Updates

17th Circuit Leaders Participate in Early Childhood Court Conference

From August 5–7, Court staff attended the national Early Childhood Court/Safe Babies Teams conference in Portland, Oregon. Attendees from the 17th Judicial Circuit included Judge Hope Bristol, Judge Jose Izquierdo, and Trent Baker. Judge Izquierdo presented on “Indian Child Welfare Court: A Trauma-Responsive Approach to Enhancing Trust and Collaboration.”

📸 Photos:

ChildNet Team (left): Part of our core in-court ECC team—Jamica Smith, Sherrelle Young, Terra Singletary, and Trent Baker.
10 Years of ECC in Florida (right): Group photo celebrating a decade of Early Childhood Courts in Florida, featuring Florida judges, child welfare staff, and partners, including Judge Izquierdo, Judge Bristol, and Trent Baker.

The conference, hosted by Safe Babies/Zero to Three™, focused on team-based approaches to supporting infants, toddlers, and families in the child welfare system. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Roots, Growing Our Branches,” honored our strong foundation in early childhood health, mental wellness, and parent voice—while fostering innovation and collaboration nationwide.

by Sallie James — September 1, 2025 in Announcements

Celebrating Two Judicial Robings!

Congratulations Judges Johnathan D. Lott and Lauren N. Peffer on your Investitures today! Judge Lott presides in Family Court in Fort Lauderdale and Judge Peffer presides in County Court at the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation. In attendance today was County Mayor Mark D. Bogen, Chief Judge Jack Tuter, a host of judges and lots of family and friends. Many thanks to the Broward County Bar Association for organizing this event. Welcome to the 17th Judicial Circuit Judges Lott and Peffer! We are delighted to have you on the team!

by Sallie James — February 21, 2025 in Announcements

New Attorney Orientation Provided Unique Chance to Network with Judiciary

New attorneys recently got a chance to meet and greet a roomful of judges during a recent New Attorney Orientation organized by the Broward County Bar Association (BCBA). At least 10 judges convened in Chief Judge Jack Tuter’s courtroom for the event, where several judges spoke about their unique roles and the related challenges. The informative event offered the new lawyers a chance to network with our judges outside of formal court proceedings. Thank you BCBA for planning this great event!

by Sallie James — October 30, 2024 in Announcements

Administering the Oath of Attorney to a Former Student

Judge Elaine A. Carbuccia recently administered the Oath of Attorney to new lawyer Anabelle Cubeñas, a special occasion because Anabelle was one of her first students at St. Thomas University, College of Law. Judge Carbuccia is a law professor at St. Thomas for the Legal Writing Department – Anabelle was one of her Appellate Advocacy students. Congratulations!

by Sallie James — October 24, 2024 in Announcements