All Broward courts will close on Nov. 27-28th in observance of the holiday. The 17th Judicial Circuit wishes you and your family a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving. The courts will reopen on Monday, Dec. 1st.
The holiday closure includes:
Congratulations to Judge John D. Fry, recipient of the Broward County Bar Association’s Florida Patriot Award. Judge Fry, a former Marine, presides over county misdemeanor mental health court. This award recognizes veterans in the legal community whose service to our country and our community sets them apart. Judge Fry is truly a standout. We are proud to have you on our team!
National Adoption Day is just around the corner and preparations are underway for a day of festivities! Seventeen children ranging in age from toddlers to teens will be formally adopted this Saturday
during a fun-filled celebration at the Broward County Courthouse. The event will feature games, gifts and lots of joy. According to Judge John B. Bowman, “This is probably the most important day of their life.” The aim of National Adoption Day is to shine a light on this issue and stir interest in the children who are waiting to be placed in forever homes, while also celebrating those that have been adopted. Read our press release HERE.
Students from Fort Lauderdale’s Seagull Alternative High School got an inside look at the justice system during a courthouse tour that included visits with Judge Corey B. Friedman in First Appearance Court and Judge Stacy Ross in Delinquency Court.
They observed detention hearings, watched as inmates appeared before Judge Friedman via video call, and wrapped up their visit at the Lamar Warren Law Library, where they learned the art of fingerprinting from a Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab expert.
The day ended with an interactive Q&A led by a Public Defender’s Office community outreach coordinator, who shared insight into the vital role public defenders play in the courtroom.
In observance of Veterans Day, all courts in the 17th Judicial Circuit will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 in honor of those who served and those who continue to serve.
This includes:
Regular court operations will resume on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025.
Judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit recently headed to Orlando for the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies where Judges Lauren M. Alperstein, Elaine A. Carbuccia, and Kristen R. Kanner served as instructors in the Family Law Track. The trio shared their experience while also continuing their own professional growth.
Other participating judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit included Judges Fabienne E. Fahnestock, Francis Viamontes, Natasha DePrimo, Thomas J. Coleman, Martin S. Fein, Jose Izquierdo and Stacey Schulman.
The annual program provides a forum for Florida’s judges to learn, collaborate, and stay ahead of emerging legal issues. The program offers comprehensive continuing judicial education courses for Florida’s trial and appellate court judges, magistrates, and hearing officers.
The College provides judges with an opportunity to sharpen their skills and dive deeply into specialized areas of the law.
Kudos to our judges whose leadership reflects our Circuit’s commitment to lifelong learning, elevating the judiciary, and giving back to the legal community.
