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 17th 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!

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 17th 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!

Conference Celebrates 17th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court Team

Two judges and two staffers from the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court (ECC) team represented our court at the National Cross Sites Conference last month in Dallas, Texas. Those in attendance included Judge Jose Izquierdo, Judge Hope Tieman Bristol, ECC Program Coordinator Trent Baker and Indian Child Welfare Act Court Coordinator Ta’Ami Bajamour. The annual conference for child welfare professionals, judges, court personnel, service providers and community coordinators emphasizes mental health, the importance of relationships, trauma, science, equity and compassion. The great work of infant-toddler court sites from states across the country was celebrated at the event. Congratulations to our 17th Judicial Circuit team members whose efforts change lives every day.

Case Manager’s Dedication Yields a Big Win

We’ve got a rockstar on staff! Court Administration employee Rafael Ferrans is the “winningest” case closer in the Domestic Relations Case Management Department with six coveted plastic gold trophies on his desk to prove it. His nickname among his peers? The “Tom Brady of case management” because his dedication has made him a standout. Kudos to Supervisor Tania Hanson, who brainstormed the idea for a friendly monthly competition to boost internal morale.  A big score for all.

Facebook
YouTube