Community Outreach Through Community Court

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Community Outreach Through Community Court

Community Court is all about celebrating success stories! Meet County Court Judge Betsy Benson, who presides in Community Court in Pompano Beach, one of the 17th Judicial Circuit’s three courts created to assist the unhoused. Judge Benson addresses low-level misdemeanor crimes and municipal ordinance violations that range from trespass and unlawful lodging, to park after hours and petty theft. Innovative solutions include community service hours, mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in lieu of incarceration. Recent participants ranged in age from their mid-20s to older than age 65. However, criminal charges aren’t necessary to access the social services on hand. Helping to identify the root causes of homelessness to facilitate better outcomes is what the Community Court initiative is all about. Community Courts also operate in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. Pompano Beach Community Court is held at the Annie L. Weaver Health Center, at 2011 NW Third Ave., Pompano Beach.

by Sallie James — May 30, 2025 in Announcements

Judge Barner Visits Miami School for Career Day

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.

by Sallie James — May 29, 2025 in Announcements

Learning About Life Through the Lens of the Law

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!

by Sallie James — May 28, 2025 in Announcements

Graduation Day in Dependency Drug Court

Graduation day is always a time to celebrate but graduation in Dependency Drug Court is a life-changing event. This week success was measured in triplet as three mothers graduated from this unique court program, ensuring reunification with their minor children. The mothers each completed requirements based on tailored substance abuse evaluations. Each graduate received a certificate, and each graduate presented a certificate to someone who was influential in helping them succeed. Participants have one year to complete the program, during which they must submit to random drug testing while being assigned advocates, case managers, a peer, medical personnel and a therapist. “This was a really happy day,” noted Beth Plotkin, Dependency Drug Court Coordinator. The graduation coincided with Problem-Solving Court Month (May).

Pictured left to right: Drug Court Specialist Wendy Buchanan (4th from left), Judge Hope Tieman Bristol (6th from left), Dependency Case Manager Daynason Eugene, Dependency Drug Coordinator Beth Plotkin, and Peer Specialist Dianne Grant.

by Sallie James — May 23, 2025 in Announcements

City of North Lauderdale Honors Judge Barner in Observance of Haitian Flag Day

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.

by Sallie James — May 21, 2025 in Announcements

Congratulations and Welcome Aboard Judge Marlon Weiss

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.

by Sallie James — May 20, 2025 in Announcements