The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida is headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale in Broward County. It is the second largest circuit court in the state.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Joined October 2009
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The 17th Judicial Circuit is pleased to announce the election of Tamar N. Hamilton to the Circuit Court bench. Judge-elect Hamilton will be sworn in next January. She is an experienced attorney, Special Magistrate, and Adjunct Professor of Law at St. Thomas!
Judge Lauren M. Alperstein recently visited Posnack Jewish Day School, where she spoke with fifth-grade students about the important role the judiciary plays in our government and held a Q&A! Fun and educational!
Voting is your right and a hallmark of our democracy. It’s an opportunity to make your voice heard and take part in shaping our communities and our future. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Congratulations, Felipe Thomaz!
Felipe was sworn in as a new attorney on October 29 by Judge Michele Towbin Singer. A graduate of St. Thomas University College of Law, Felipe is ready to begin the next chapter of his legal career. Best of luck, Felipe! We wish you every success!
Judge Hope Tieman Bristol, Judge Stacey Schulman and General Magistrate Hilary Creary along with staffers from the non-profit Voices for Children of Broward County stuffed bears, monkeys for National Adoption Day on November 21! Thank you!
Jurors are not showing up for jury duty. Judge Keathan B. Frink recently spoke about this problem with Channel 10 reporter Janine Stanwood:
local10.com/news/local/2026/…
Students from First Baptist Academy got a firsthand look at the justice system during a courthouse tour, visiting Judges N. Hunter Davis and Pascale Achille & meeting Assistant Public Defender Phyllis Cook. It was a day when civics class became real.
Congratulations to Judge Lorena V. Mastrarrigo, recipient of the Gavel Award, presented in celebration of Natl. Hispanic Heritage Month. It recognizes a distinguished member of Broward's Hispanic judiciary for outstanding service, leadership and dedication to the legal community.
Congratulations new lawyer Melissa Hyman! Chief Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips administered the Oath of Attorney today as Melissa's proud parents looked on. The Nova Southeastern Law School is specializing in personal injury law. #awesome
Students from Somerset Academy Village in Wilton Manors toured the courthouse Tuesday, getting a firsthand look at the people and services that make up the justice system. Pictured with Chief Assistant Public Defender Tayron Lopez & Assistant PD Elba Jiménez. @browarddefender
Congratulations to the new attorneys who passed the Florida Bar Exam! Judges came together to celebrate this milestone with NSU Law's new alum attorneys as retired Judge Robert Diaz administered the oath of attorney. The judges welcomed them to the practice of law. #congrats
Judge Corey B. Friedman on Tuesday swore in Einav Cohen, who passed the July 2026 Florida Bar Examination. A Parkland native, Einav is a graduate of Mercer University School of Law in Macon, Georgia. She is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Massachusetts. #congrats
Judge Kal Evans was recently invited to speak at a meeting of the Black Law Students Association at Nova Southeastern University. Judge Evans said he was impressed by how quickly the new law students became involved in voluntary student organizations.
Today, the 17th Judicial Circuit joins Americans across the country in recognizing Constitution Day - a day that commemorates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and celebrates those who have become U.S. citizens.
#justiceforall
In observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Reflection, all courts in the 17th Judicial Circuit will be closed on Monday, September 21, 2026.
We extend our best wishes for a meaningful day to all who observe. Regular court operations will resume on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
The 17th Judicial Circuit is delighted to announce the appointment of Circuit Court Judge Marlon D. Weiss to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Judge Weiss currently presides in the Circuit’s Family Division. Governor Ron DeSantis made the appointment on September 4.
Hearing officers and magistrates spent their lunch hour stuffing teddy bears to help make the court experience a little less scary for children.
The bears will find a home in Dependency Court, where they will be given to children whose families are involved in the court system.
Meet Erika Melendez Valles, assistant for Hearing Officer Rebecca Frieden. Erika helps keep the wheels of justice turning by coordinating hearings with attorneys, organizing the daily calendar and guiding pro se litigants to the right resources for assistance. Thank you!
The historic “double” investiture on Aug. 28 for Judge Jeremy I. Franker was a first for the 17th Judicial Circuit. Judge Franker was appointed by the Governor to County Court bench on Feb. 25, then elevated to Circuit Court on Aug. 19th. Congratulations Judge Franker!
