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Pinellas County Clerk of Court Announces October Driver License Re-instatement Event

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The Pinellas County Clerk of Court has announced "Operation Green Light": a driver license re-instatement event that will take place on Wednesday, October 16th, 2019, Thursday, October 17th, 2019 and Saturday, October 19th, 2019. Wednesday and Thursday's event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday's event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eligible divers with suspended licenses will be able to pay overdue traffic tickets and court fines and save up to 25% on collection fees. It will take place at the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center: 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762. Apparently, clerk's offices throughout the state of Florida will be hosting the same event, so if your traffic matter is pending in another county, you should contact that particular location for additional information.

Our clerk has indicated that those who pay their outstanding financial obligations, or go on a monthly payment plan, will be able to reinstate their driver's license in most instances. A down payment will be required if the driver elects to go on a payment plan versus paying the outstanding balance in full. Either way, a significant discount will be offered. Payment plans are available for three, six and twelve month intervals. Payments can be made via cash, check, money order, or a credit/debit card. When fees are paid to the clerk of court, a 3.5% convenience fee is always applicable if the method payment is a debit or credit card. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will be on site to print new driver's licenses to those who reinstate as part of this initiative. If your license is suspended because of failure to pay child support, a DUI conviction, failure to complete a traffic course ordered by the DHSMV, the commission of a felony traffic offense, or if your license has been revoked as a Habitual Traffic Offender, you may not be able to participate. If you have questions regarding eligibility, showing up that day certainly wouldn't hurt. You may also want to call the clerk's office ahead of time, at (727) 464-7000, to determine whether you will qualify for reinstatement.

There are certain things that cannot be accomplished as part of this event, as they require count action: (1) waiver of court fees; (2) granting or reinstating community service hours; (3) recalling of outstanding arrest warrants; (4) terminating probation; (5) amending charging statutes to lesser included criminal offenses or to civil infractions; (6) waiving court ordered schools; and (7) setting aside defensive driving school elections. If any of these matters need to be addressed to reinstate your driving privileges, a St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney can help. Feel free to contact The Kilfin Law Firm, P.C. to discuss the particulars of your case and what can be done to get you driving lawfully once again.

Those participating in Operation Green Light will be required to pay any outstanding late fees associated with their case. The cost is $23.00 or $32.00 per case, depending on the nature of the offense. For those electing a payment plan, a $25.00 administrative fee will also be assessed. Finally, there is a $60.00 fee that is required when re-instating your license.

This is a good opportunity to save a potentially significant sum of money to reinstate your driving privileges. While certain late and administrative fees will apply, the option of a payment plan should soften the impact. As a St. Petersburg DUI and criminal defense attorney, I am hired to assist clients in reinstating their driving privileges which can require payment of hundreds (and occasionally thousands) of dollars in outstanding fine amounts. A 25% reduction in total cost could quite possibly make all the difference.

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