Judges Share Insights & Advice with Students During Courthouse Tour

A group of students enrolled in the Community Reconstruction Inc. (CRI) D.A.Y program met judges in three different courtrooms, asked questions and observed justice in progress during a recent courthouse tour. CRI creates opportunities for youth to transform their own lives by fostering behavioral changes that promote personal responsibility, healthy relationships, and positive contributions to society. The students met with Judges Elijah H. Williams, Ari Abraham Porth and Yael Gamm. Plenty of great questions made the day interesting!

Raising Awareness About Homelessness to Effect Change

Homelessness is a hot button topic that Judge Florence Taylor Barner encounters every week in Community Court. So it’s no surprise that she recently attended the 8th Annual Homeless Community Symposium at Hope South Florida to learn more about how homeless services are addressing the needs of those on the street. Judge Barner also separately accepted a proclamation from the City of Fort Lauderdale declaring November National Homelessness Awareness Month. Being aware can make a difference. In Community Court, Judge Barner addresses low-level misdemeanor crimes and municipal ordinance violations with innovative solutions that include community service hours, mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in lieu of incarceration. Thank you for all you do!

Courtrooms Become Classrooms During Student Courthouse Tour

About 15 Posnack High School students got a firsthand look at the law in progress during a recent courthouse tour that took them into two judges’ courtrooms and included a Q&A session with our courtroom interpreters. The students spent time on the bench with Judge Ari Abraham Porth in felony Mental Health, learned the ins and outs of courtroom interpreting, then visited Judge Lauren M. Alperstein’s courtroom, where they learned about Family law and the types of cases she handles on a daily basis. Then they ate lunch with Judge Stacey Schulman in her courtroom. Thank you everyone for making this such a great day!

Judges “Read for the Record” at Local Elementary Schools

Several judges spent a recent morning at elementary schools across Broward County reading books to students as part of Broward’s “Read for the Record” program. Retiring Judge Robert F. Diaz read to children at Croissant Park Elementary in Fort Lauderdale; Judge Lauren M. Alperstein was a designated reader at Embassy Creek Elementary in Hollywood; Judge Stacey Schulman read to students at Cooper City Elementary; and Judge Ari Abraham Porth was at North Fork Elementary in Fort Lauderdale. Community involvement matters!

Judge Ari Abraham Porth Profiled in Daily Business Review

Shout out to Judge Ari Abraham Porth, who was featured in an October 4th article in the Daily Business Review after being named the 2024 recipient of the Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence in recognition of his “personification of judicial excellence” and “exceptional commitment to the judicial branch.” Judge Porth, of Parkland, is currently assigned to the 17th Judicial Circuit Felony Mental Health division, where his accomplishments have been instrumental in promoting rehabilitation and recovery for those with mental illness. Judge Porth was also featured an a September 24th article in Parkland Talk. We are so proud of you! Read the article here: https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2024/10/04/the-instincts-of-a-social-worker-meet-judge-ari-abraham-porth-chief-justice-award-winner/

Judge Ari Abraham Porth Honored with Top Statewide Judicial Award for Judicial Excellence

Congratulations to Judge Ari Abraham Porth, who was chosen to receive the 2024 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence in recognition of of his “personification of judicial excellence” and “exceptional commitment to the judicial branch.” The coveted annual award is presented to two judges statewide in Florida – one from circuit court and one from county court. Judge Porth is assigned to our Felony Mental Health division. Established in 2015, the award pays tribute to trial court judges whose achievements exceed the normal expectations of the office and considers factors such as strength of character, integrity, knowledge of the law, sound judgment, professional ethics, intellectual courage, compassion, and decisiveness. Amazing and well-deserved recognition! Read our press release HERE.

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