In observance of Rosh Hashanah, all courts in the 17th Judicial Circuit will be closed on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. This includes:
We wish a meaningful holiday to all who celebrate. Courthouses will reopen and regular operations will resume on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
High school students from Lauderhill STEM-MED Magnet School’s Women of Tomorrow program visited the courthouse on Wednesday for a hands-on learning experience.
They met County Court Judge Jackie Powell, Circuit Judge Michael J. Orlando, Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor, and Chief Assistant Public Defender Tayron Lopez.
From stepping inside a jury room to sitting in the witness stand—and even peppering the county’s chief prosecutor with questions—these students got an up-close look at how our justice system works.
👩⚖️⚖️ Nothing beats learning by doing!
This week, our Felony Pre-Trial Drug Court received the Re-Entry Award from the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency at the 95th Annual Criminal Justice Training Institute on Sept. 10th in Orlando.
Judge Michael Davis, Drug Court Manager Russell Edwards, and Correctional Probation Supervisor Tammy Marcus proudly accepted the award, which recognizes outstanding programs that help individuals successfully transition back into the community after incarceration.
This recognition highlights our team’s exemplary work in rehabilitation, job training, and post-release support—efforts that reduce recidivism, promote second chances, and serve as a model for reentry success nationwide. 👏✨
💡 In addition, Broward County’s Felony Pre-Trial Drug Court has been designated a National Mentor Court—one of only 10 in the entire nation with this distinction.
(Pictured left to right: Michelle Whitworth, State President, Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency; Judge Michael Davis; Drug Court Manager Russell Edwards; Department of Corrections Drug Court PTI Supervisor Tammy Marcus; and Nichole Landrum, Committee Chairperson for the FCC Re-Entry Award.)
Our very own Judge Lauren M. Alperstein and Magistrate Stephanie Matalon took part in a continuing legal education panel today via Zoom, speaking on the importance of civility in and out of the courtroom.
From maintaining professionalism with opposing counsel and self-represented litigants to navigating challenges under the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct and the Bounds of Advocacy, the panel offered invaluable insights from the judiciary’s perspective.
We’re proud to see two of our own from the 17th Judicial Circuit leading the way on such an essential topic—reminding us all that civility is at the heart of effective advocacy and the fair administration of justice. ⚖️✨
Florida Rep. Daryl Campbell and his team recently visited Judge Florence Taylor Barner at Fort Lauderdale Community Court, where innovative alternatives—such as community service and mental health counseling—help address low-level misdemeanor crimes and municipal ordinance violations.
During their visit, they observed court operations, met with participants and service providers, and learned firsthand how Community Court connects individuals with support. They also met with Fort Lauderdale’s Assistant City Manager and Commissioner Ben Sorenson to discuss the program’s beginnings and explore how this model could expand to other cities.
📊 Since January–June 2025, Fort Lauderdale Community Court has served 111 Notices to Appear (NTAs) and welcomed more than 2,117 walk-ins seeking services.
👏 Thank you, Rep. Campbell, for your interest in how Community Court is making a difference in our community!
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At Hollywood Community Court—hosted by The Caring Place—justice looks different. Instead of focusing only on punishment, the court addresses low-level misdemeanor crimes and municipal ordinance violations such as trespassing, unlawful lodging, petty theft, and park-after-hours citations by offering innovative alternatives like community service, mental health counseling, or substance abuse treatment. Judge Corey A. Cawthon presides.
Participants, ranging in age from their mid-20s to over 65, don’t need criminal charges to receive help. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, the court creates opportunities for long-term stability and success.
From February 2024 to August 2025, Hollywood Community Court has:
✅ Served 572 individuals
✅ Welcomed 70 NTA clients referred to court
✅ Held 1,010 court hearings
✅ Celebrated 17 graduates who completed community service, secured housing, increased income, and built stability
✅ Referred 1,114 services through Broward County partners
This work is only possible thanks to a strong network of community providers, including the City of Hollywood, Hollywood Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Memorial Healthcare System, Henderson Behavioral Health, BARC, SunServe, Taskforce for Ending Homelessness, Healthy Start Broward, Rak Pak, and many others. Hollywood Community court is proud to work in partnership with over 60 service providers within the local community.
Community Courts exemplify how compassion, innovation, and collaboration can transform lives—offering not only justice, but also support and opportunity to Broward County residents in need. The 17th Judicial Circuit also has Community Courts in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. 🌟
