Students from Pine Ridge Education Center toured the Broward County Courthouse on April 16th, visiting the courtrooms of Circuit Court Judge Elijah H. Williams, a juvenile delinquency judge, and County Court Judge Jackie Powell, who handles civil matters. The students observed in-progress court proceedings and asked the judges questions about their jobs during Q&A sessions. Great way to learn about the justice system!
Employees Tiffany Jackson and Marie Alvarez-Ortiz Marie recently attended the Maternal & Child Health Conference – hosted by the Healthy Start Coalition of Broward County – at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Tiffany is the Early Childhood Court Coordinator for the 17th Judicial Circuit and Marie is the Circuit’s Juvenile Services Coordinator. “Healing legacies and shaping futures” was the focus of the April 10th conference. Thank you both for making such a difference in children’s lives!
All Broward Courts will be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday. Court closures pertain to the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, the North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach, the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation and the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood. All courts will re-open on Monday.
The NSU Law Hispanic Student Bar Association’s Judicial Luncheon marked its 25th year earlier this month but with a new host: Judge Jose Izquierdo took over the popular event, which had been hosted for 24 years by (now retired) Judge Robert F. Diaz. Judge Diaz stepped down from the bench in December 2024. The popular networking event for law students, attorneys, and judges was held on April 11, 2025 in Judge Izquierdo’s Courtroom. Judge Diaz returned for a surprise visit to make the transition complete!
Students from North Broward Preparatory School got a chance to learn firsthand about what it is like to be a judge during a recent visit to the Broward County Courthouse. The students met Judges Stacey Schulman and Catalina Avalos, visited their respective courtrooms and peppered both with questions about their experiences on the bench. A great time was had by all!
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and his command staff recently honored retiring Chief Judge Jack Tuter for his two decades of service at the 17th Judicial Circuit. BSO leadership lauded Judge Tuter’s lengthy tenure as a judge and presented him with a framed American flag. Judge Tuter was appointed to the bench in 2005 by (then) Governor Jeb Bush and began his service as a judge in January 2006. He has served as Chief Judge for the past eight years. Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips will follow Judge Tuter as Chief Judge. Thank you, Judge Tuter, for your years of dedicated service! You will be greatly missed. Enjoy your retirement. (photo courtesy of BSO)
