DALE ROSS                                BROWARD COUNTY COURTHOUSE  

CHIEF JUDGE                             GEORGE W. TEDDER, SR. DRIVE

    201 S.E. 6TH STREET

    FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301

 

 

SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA     

 

 

 

November 29, 2001                       

 

 

Mr. Tony Spalding

Dads of Florida

P.O. Box 550231 Ft. Lauderdale FL 33355-0231

 

Dear Mr. Spalding:

 

I am in receipt of your letter dated November 26, 2001. Thank you

for writing.

 

I agree, there is no place for bias or prejudice in any form within the court system.

 

Interestedly, I have received letters like yours in the past, but they normally are from woman's organizations complaining about gender bias directed at women.

 

You should know, the Supreme Court has a standing committee on gender and racial bias, and require all judges to attend classes concerning the same.  There is no state sponsored education required for J.A.'s. They do have a voluntary organization that sponsors educational programs.  Due to a lack of funding, the majority of our J.A.'s cannot attend, unless they pay their own travel and lodging expenses.

 

Thank you for writing.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

DALE ROSS

 

DR/npw