Announcements
In consultation with the Hon. Howard Forman, Clerk of the Courts, the following divisions will start mandatory efiling effective 1/6/14. All other divisions are already getting e filed documents.
Appeals (for criminal)
Circuit Criminal
County Criminal
Civil Traffic
Criminal Traffic
Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile Dependency
The 17th Circuit’s own Judge Edward Merrigan was officially promoted to the rank of Colonel, United States Army Reserve, in early December. Judge Merrigan has served in the U.S. armed forces for nearly 20 years, and is a combat veteran.
First appointed to the county bench in 2009, Judge Merrigan has been able to utilize his military familiarity in the courtroom since being chosen to preside over Broward’s Veterans Treatment Court, established in 2012.
The 17th Circuit family wishes you a heart-felt congratulations, Judge Merrigan!
NOTICE TO ALL ATTORNEY’S FILING CASES IN THE COMPLEX BUSINESS AND COMPLEX TORT DIVISIONS OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
For all attorneys filing new cases in the circuit civil division of the 17th Judicial Circuit, with the advent of E filing, there is no known method to direct file complex business and complex tort cases through the State E file portal.
In an attempt to remedy this situation all attorneys/parties who wish to direct file a case meeting criteria for filing in complex business and tort – per Administrative Order 2013-11-Civ – must file with their complaint the attached “Notice of Intent to file New Case in the Complex Business and Tort Division”
By filing the new complaint with this “Notice of Intent to file New Case in the Complex Business and Tort Division” the clerk will direct file the case into divisions (07) Business only; division (19) Business and Tort; and division (26) Complex Tort only.
The administrative order for complex business and tort can be found at: http://www.17th.flcourts.org/images/stories/17th_pdf_files/2013-11-civ.pdf
Jack Tuter
Administrative Judge Circuit Civil
On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, a landmark collaborative agreement was made official when county agency and community leaders signed The Broward County Collaborative Agreement of School Discipline, a pact aimed at curbing the “schoolhouse to jailhouse pipeline.” This agreement softens the “zero policy” standard adopted in the 1990’s by creating new procedures for schools to follow when a student commits a non-violent misdemeanor at school. Alternative resolutions to incidents such as trespassing, harassment, alcohol-related incidents, and possession of misdemeanor amounts of marijuana will now be implemented by administrators — counseling and treatment in lieu of arrest.
This cooperative effort has been a long time in the making, and involves the participation of many agencies including the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Broward County School Board, and more. It is anticipated that this collaborative agreement will reduce school-related arrests by 60 to 70 percent, seriously curtailing the “schoolhouse to jail house pipeline.”
A special thank you goes to Circuit Judge Elijah Williams, in the juvenile delinquency division, for bringing this idea to Broward County!
Congratulations to Giuseppina Miranda, the 17th Judicial Circuit’s newest county court judge. Governor Rick Scott appointed Judge Miranda to the county bench on Friday, November 15, 2013. No stranger to the Broward courts, Judge Miranda has been a General Magistrate for the 17th Circuit since 2007. Prior to that, she was in private practice and also worked as a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office.
Congratulations on your new role in the 17th Judicial Circuit Judge Miranda!
photo by: Ramon E. Nazario
A team comprised of courthouse judges, staff, and their family and friends, took part in the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Broward 5K Walk on October 12, 2013. The 17th Circuit Court for a Cure team was established just this year, with the intention of building comraderie among co-workers while participating in a cause that touches almost all of us in one way or another.
Great job to all our walkers!
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court welcomes Lisa Dolin Eiss who became our newest General Magistrate on October 1, 2013, presiding in the Foreclosure division. Prior to joining the 17th Circuit, General Magistrate Eiss served for seven years as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for J.P. Morgan Chase. She has also worked as a litigation attorney for Glantz and Glantz law firm.
In this new position, General Magistrate Eiss will put her expertise to good use, as she joins the very busy Foreclousre division. She is enthusiastic about helping out in the world of mortgage foreclosures.
Welcome to the 17th Circuit family!
In recognition of his humanity, integrity, and dedication to the bench, bar, and community, Judge Jeffrey Streitfeld was awarded the 2013 Stephen R. Booher award at the Broward Bar’s annual installation in June. Having practiced in front of the late Judge Booher during the 70’s and 80’s, Judge Streitfeld is particularly appreciative to receive an honor named after someone he looked up to. “It is quite a privilege to be recognized in this way, though we’re only as good as the people who work with us. You’ve just got to try to do the best you can,” says Judge Streitfeld.
The Broward Bar also recognized Judge Mel Grossman with The President’s Award at the annual installation in June. This special honor was presented to Judge Grossman citing, “your willingness to take on any task Broward County Bar Association asks of you and your ability to do it with style and professionalism.”
Congratulations to both judges!
