The 17th Judicial Circuit Welcomes Four New Judges During Swearing-In Ceremony

The 17th Judicial Circuit welcomed four new judges to the bench during a swearing-in ceremony conducted by Chief Judge Jack Tuter on 1/7/2025. The new judges include: County Court Judges Lauren N. Peffer, Woody R. Clermont, Corey B. Friedman and Kathleen E. Angione. Judge Clermont is assigned to the South Regional Courthouse; Judge Peffer, the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation; Judge Angione, the North Regional Courthouse and Judge Friedman, the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale where he will preside over first appearances. Circuit Judge Johnathan D. Lott, who will preside in Family Court, was sworn in at an earlier date. Welcome aboard!

Chief Judge Jack Tuter Swears In Broward Clerk of Courts Brenda D. Forman to 3rd Term in Office

It’s official. Again. Broward Clerk of Courts Brenda D. Forman was sworn into office by Chief Judge Jack Tuter before a packed room of well-wishers and colleagues after winning re-election for a third term. She manages all court records, including child-support payments, traffic fines, marriages, divorces and lawsuits. The Broward clerk also manages jury selection for the state’s second-largest court system. Congratulations from the 17th Judicial Circuit!

Newly-Appointed Judge Johnathan D. Lott Sworn In

Newly appointed Judge Johnathan D. Lott was sworn in by Administrative Judge Martin S. Fein, just days before he assumes the bench on Jan. 1, 2025. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Judge Lott to the Circuit Court vacancy on Nov. 25th, where he will preside in Family Court. Judge Lott is a 2014 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and a member of the Florida Bar Young Lawyers section and a Fort Lauderdale resident. His wife Sara and two sons, Joel (left) and Peter (right), attended the swearing-in ceremony while his parents watched the proceedings via Zoom. Welcome aboard Judge Lott. The 17th Judicial Circuit is delighted to have you on our team.

Charter School Students Get Behind-the-Scenes Look at Courtrooms, Holding Cells

Students from the Championship Academy of Distinction got a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in a courtroom during a recent tour. The students peppered Judge Elijah H. Williams with questions about becoming a judge, sat on the bench with Judge Ari Abraham Porth, and got to try on Judge Lorena V. Mastrarrigo’s long black robe. The Broward Sheriff’s Office also let them check out a prisoner holding cell, where they gained a true understanding of what “lack of privacy” means when you are incarcerated. Thanks everyone for making this tour so impactful!

Drug Court, Mental Health Initiatives Showcased at Problem-Solving Court Conference

Our drug court and mental health initiatives took the spotlight during a recent Problem-Solving Court Conference in Orlando attended by nearly 400 people involved with Florida’s treatment courts. Our very own felony drug court team — including Judge Michael Davis, Russell Edwards, Reggie Williams, Ben Francois and Christine DeCicco – learned they had been selected as a national mentor drug court from more than 4,000 treatment courts across the nation. Judge Michele Towbin Singer served as training committee chair for the executive committee that planned and executed the conference. Shout out to everyone from the 17th Judicial Circuit whose amazing work makes such a difference every day!

Middle Schoolers Try “Murder” Case at Mock Trial: State of Fla. vs. Teaberry Olson

It was a whodunnit of the craziest kind and the middle schoolers who were “trying” the case were determined to ferret out the truth. Did Tee Olson kill a homeless woman who was blackmailing him because his cafe served horsemeat? Could the meat delivery guy offer any clues? And what about the teen who usually loitered by the dumpster but disappeared after the murder? Students from Sunrise Middle School, William Dandy Middle School, Seminole Middle School, Nova Middle School, and Beachside Montessori Village argued their cases before Judges Michele Towbin Singer and Kenneth A. Gottleib in search of a verdict.

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