The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida is forming a new division within the circuit. Veterans Court will provide rehabilitative services to veterans struggling with treatable behavioral, mental health and substance abuse issues who come into the court system by way of another division, including drug court, mental health, and domestic violence.

The first planning session was held December 1 in the central courthouse; invitees included members of the Broward county commission, the Veterans’ Administration, the Broward Bar Association, and various other community resources.

Though only in the planning stages now, the Seventeenth Circuit hopes to establish a defined program, ready to implement, in the coming months. “We believe this is an invaluable service to offer the men in women in our community that served us and now need our help,” said Chief Judge Peter Weinstein.

Circuit Judge Peter M. Weinstein was chosen as the new Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida by a majority vote of his colleagues. Votes were tallied and a victor announced at the General Judges Meeting on February 17th.

Peter M. Weinstein

All 90 judges – 58 circuit and 32 county – were given the opportunity to vote for their new chief judge. Judge Weinstein will assume the role on July 1, 2011 when current Chief Judge Tobin’s tenure ends. The Chief Judge term is two years.  

Judge Weinstein received his degrees from NYU and Brooklyn Law School. He served as a legal officer in the United States Army, as a prosecutor for Broward County, and was in private practice for many years before being appointed to the 17th Circuit bench in 1998. He also served as a Florida Senator for 14 years. Judge Weinstein is married, with two sons and three grandchildren, one of whom was born the night before his win. 

Here is an architectural drawing of the new courthouse.

Architectural Drawing of the New Broward County Courthouse

Congratulations to the judges who assumed their seat on the bench on January 21, 2011. Here are some photos of the new judges donning their judicial robes.

The Honorable Melinda K. Brown, Broward County Court

The Honorable John D. Fry, Broward County Court

The Honorable Kenneth A. Gottlieb, Broward County Court

The new class of judges from the 17th Judicial Circuit Court and the Broward County Court.

Watch for more photos to come.

Broward Circuit Judge Cheryl Alemán

The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit reports the loss of Circuit Judge Cheryl Alemán, who passed away on December 2, 2010. Judge Alemán was a Broward County judge for eight years, most recently serving in the Unified Family Court division. Please join the Broward County Bar Association in extending our condolences to her family and friends.

Read the Sun-Sentinel obituary for Judge Alemán.

The main Broward County Courthouse is expected to be open for business as usual on Tuesday, July 6th, following a sixth floor water pipe break on Friday, July 2nd. Read the full story, “Broken Water Pipe Forces Broward Courthouse Workers to Flee Offices,” in the Sun-Sentinel.