Community Court

17th Judicial Circuit Community Court logo

The City of Fort Lauderdale Community Court is a dynamic partnership among the courts, local government agencies, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and nonprofit organizations. Established in 2019 as a joint initiative between the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, the program has grown to include additional sites in Pompano Beach and Hollywood. Unlike conventional courtrooms, Community Court goes beyond legal proceedings by offering direct, on-site services to participants, including:

  • Guidance concerning shelter and housing options for individuals experiencing homelessness
  • Mental health care and support for substance use recovery
  • Access to medical care
  • Employment services and support for veterans
  • Help obtaining identification documents
  • Showers, food, and other essential resources

Community Court is held every Wednesday from 9:00 am to noon at 18 NW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (gray building across from the central bus terminal).

Judge Florence Taylor Barner

Florence Taylor Barner

Florence Taylor Barner serves as a County Court judge in Florida’s Seventeenth Judicial Circuit and presides over the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Community Court. This specialized court adopts a problem-solving approach for low-level offenses, particularly those involving individuals experiencing homelessness. By connecting participants with vital services and resources, the court addresses root causes of homelessness and helps individuals overcome underlying challenges.

 

Affectionately known to participants and community partners as “Judge Flo,” Judge Barner is recognized for her compassion, unwavering accountability, genuine commitment, and dedication to everyone who appears before the Court. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping Community Court as a place for transformative change, fostering stronger bonds between participants and the wider community.

 

In Fiscal Year 2025, Judge Barner presided over 83 Community Court cases, resulting in 29 participants successfully graduating and collectively contributing 290 hours of community service to the City of Fort Lauderdale. These outcomes demonstrate the Court’s ongoing commitment to accountability, rehabilitation, and meaningful community involvement.

Learn more about the Homeless Outreach Team

The remarkable success of the Fort Lauderdale Community Court Program is a direct result of the dedication of the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), led by Sergeant Monica Ferrer and officers Brian Blount, Scott Hagemann, Carlos Guerra, Laurie Arthur, Terrance Barmore, and Rafaella Melo.

 

Working closely with Community Court, HOT goes beyond providing basic resources by offering personalized guidance, hands-on assistance, and connections to essential services. By building trust and meeting individuals where they are, the team helps participants successfully engage with Community Court and create meaningful opportunities for lasting change.  Their collaborative efforts strengthen relationships, bridge critical gaps, and bring renewed hope and resilience to Fort Lauderdale’s most vulnerable residents.

 

 

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