County Court Judge Florence Taylor Barner recently visited Lorah Park Elementary in the historic Brownsville neighborhood of Miami for Career Day. Students got the unique opportunity to observe virtual court, then have one-on-one time with Judge Barner in small groups to discuss civics, the Constitution, and how to become a judge. Afterwards, Judge Barner fielded questions from the class.
It was a day of fun and learning for a group of special needs adults from the Friendship Circle of Fort Lauderdale who observed some courtroom action, learned about courtroom protocols, met two judges, navigated the sprawling courthouse and even chatted with some college interns. The goal of the Friendship Circle program is to provide learning experiences that teach participants new life skills that will help them more easily navigate the world. Many thanks to Judges Mindy Brown, Michele Towbin Singer and Kenneth A. Gottlieb for making this visit so memorable!
The City of North Lauderdale honored County Court Judge Florence Taylor Barner this week with a proclamation in celebration of Haitian Flag Day (May 18th). The proclamation decribed her as a Haitian-American trailblazer,” noting that Judge Barner is the first elected Haitian-American judge in Broward County. The proclamation described her election to the bench as a “milestone achievement that reflects both her personal excellence and the progress of the Haitian-American community.” Judge Barner presides on Wednesdays in Fort Lauderdale’s Community Court, which serves the area’s unhoused population.
All Broward Courts will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. The affected courthouses include 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 four courthouses will re-open on Tuesday.
The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit proudly announces the appointment of Marlon Weiss to the Broward Circuit Court bench. Governor Ron DeSantis made the appointment on 5/19/2025 to fill the vacancy created by the May 1st retirement of Chief Judge Jack Tuter. Judge Weiss has been a partner at Armstrong Teasdale LLP since 2021. He previously served as a criminal appellate attorney in the Florida Attorney General’s Office and is a board-certified appellate lawyer. Earlier in his career, he clerked for the U.S. District Court. He is a father, an avid boater, kayaker, scuba diver and spearfisher. Congratulations and welcome to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court! Read our press release HERE.
The City of Fort Lauderdale honored retired Chief Judge Jack Tuter at an appreciation luncheon today at the Broward County Main Library, where he was praised for his dedication and support of Fort Lauderdale Community Court, which serves the unhoused. Also present were County Court Judge Florence Taylor Barner, who presides in Community Court, and the support staff that makes the Court hum. The 17th Judicial Circuit’s new Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips also attended, along with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Police Chief William Schultz, City Manager Rickelle Williams and Chief Service Officer Jorg Hruschka, among others. Judge Tuter retired on May 1st after nearly 20 years as a judge. We miss you Judge Tuter. Congratulations!
