Top Broward Judge Jack Tuter Reflects on Tenure as He Prepares to Retire
When Broward Circuit Judge Jack Tuter took over as chief judge of the second-largest circuit in Florida in 2017, he admits the bench had a reputation as something of a mess. The year before, three judges resigned amid allegations they drove or came to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and another was removed for misconduct committed years earlier in private practice.
Twelve years after being appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush, Tuter was elected chief judge by his colleagues.
As he prepared to retire from the judiciary on May 1 and return to private practice, he reflected on his tenure with NBC6 Investigates.
Managing the Bench
Managing what can be, shall we say, some "healthy" egos among the 90 people who don black robes and pass judgment on others in Broward can be a daunting task. When he joined them, judges elsewhere in Florida had the perception Broward’s bench wasn’t carrying its weight, and cases were piling up, leaving a large backlog.
"I think the broad bench had some cliques. You know judges who liked this group and then judges who liked this group and there were some animosities between the groups. We had a lot of older judges who had been here many, many years," he recalled. "They were kind of set in their ways."
So as chief judge, Tuter set out to run court administration and its 200-plus employees more efficiently, to reduce the backlog.
"As the years progressed, we got much better at it. Judges retired. We brought in younger judges who looked at things differently and I think we’ve passed all of that,’ he said. "I’m happy to say we do not have those kinds of problems in the courthouse now."
The Death Penalty Sentencing Trial
And it was the death penalty sentencing trial stemming from the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in 2018 that drew the most attention and, from some, criticism of the courts. Tuter could have reassigned the case to a judge other than now-former Judge Elizabeth Scherer, who was assigned the case randomly and had never presided over or tried a death penalty case.
But he stuck with her.
Reflecting on His Tenure
As he looks back on his time as chief judge, Tuter is proud of the progress made in reducing the civil lawsuit backlog down to 18,000 from 33,000 cases just three years ago. A large catalyst of that: COVID, which required remote court hearings via Zoom.
"We had fewer cases coming out of COVID than we did when we started COVID and yet we couldn’t really be in a courthouse," he said. "So it was kind of miraculous in a way as I look back at how hard people had to work on those Zoom cameras. So it’s more efficient and people don’t have to travel to the courthouse. There’s cons and pros with Zoom, of course, but it is here to stay, and lawyers like it."
Lessons Learned
Tuter has also learned that the public’s biggest misconception about the courts is that they can somehow solve everybody’s problems. "We can help you through it and we can divide up your assets and we can divorce you. But we can’t protect you from harm. That’s really up to law enforcement, the sheriff’s office, or the police department. So I think one of the misconceptions is people get a piece of paper and think, ‘Okay. Well, I’m set. I’m protected.’ And I wish that were true, but that’s just not the way it really works."
The Future
With his term as chief judge coming to an end, Tuter is looking ahead to his next adventure as a private lawyer, regaining free speech and all the things he’ll no longer have to sacrifice as a member of the judiciary.
"I’m looking forward to the next adventure, being a private lawyer, regaining free speech and all those things you get when you’re no longer a member of the judiciary."
FAQs
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced as chief judge?
A: Managing the bench and reducing the backlog of cases.
Q: How did you approach the death penalty sentencing trial?
A: I stuck with Judge Scherer, despite some criticism, as I believed she would give both sides a fair trial.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception about the courts?
A: That they can solve everybody’s problems.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: I’m looking forward to returning to private practice as a lawyer and regaining free speech and other benefits.
