Haitian American Jurist Pascale Achille Appointed Judge in Florida By Gov. Desantis
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Haitian American Pascale Achille as judge for Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit Court.
The former Broward prosecutor is among a few judges of Haitian descent in Florida.
In 2025, Woody Clermont was appointed judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Broward County, Lody Jean was the first Haitian-American woman to be appointed on the Miami-Dade County Court and is the first Haitian-American to be appointed to the Eleventh Circuit Court, and Florence Taylor Barner became the first Haitian American judge elected in Broward County in 2016.
Achille fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Gary Farmer Jr.
"I am truly grateful to the Governor's Office and the Judicial Nominating Commission for the privilege of serving the people as a circuit court judge," said Achille. "It has been an honor to serve Broward County as an assistant state attorney."
Achille, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, was a prosecutor for Broward County's Homicide Trial Unit for 10 years and she previously was an associate for Bast Amron LLP, handling federal and state civil cases and arguing before the Second and Fifth Districts Courts of Appeal.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her juris doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.
According to the Haitian American community, Achille's judicial appointment reflects her commitment to the American judicial system and her role in enhancing Caribbean representation in South Florida's judiciary.
Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court Carol-Lisa Phillips welcomed Achille to the bench.
"We would like to formally congratulate and extend a warm welcome to Judge Pascale Achille on her appointment to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court bench. We greatly look forward to working alongside her," she said.
The state's 17th Judicial Circuit Court is the second largest in Florida and covers Broward County.
It includes 90 judges: 32 county court judges and 58 circuit judges.
The circuit consists of four courthouses: the main Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale and three satellite locations in Deerfield Beach, Plantation, and Hollywood.
