Osceola Clerk of Court and County Comptroller’s Office is tasked with collecting traffic fines from people who receive citations — and revoking the driver’s licenses of those who don’t pay those fines.
The second part is work Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Kelvin Soto said he’s not interested in — he wants to see people’s driving rights restored to allow them to work and transport their families.
Operation Green Light, a state-sponsored program for those with suspended driver licenses to be able to pay overdue court obligations, including unpaid traffic tickets, starts Saturday and runs two weeks.
During this impactful annual community program, collection surcharges are waived and driver licenses may be reinstated for some who are eligible, saving them money and, more importantly, getting them safely and legally back on the road.
Operation Green Light focuses on those who have cases in Osceola County already referred to a collection’s agency by the Clerk’s Office for past due court obligations.
This year’s version begins online Saturday and runs through March 25 at www.osceolaclerk.com. Staff will be available in-person on the second floor of the Jon B. Morgan Courthouse from Monday through Friday the next two weeks (March 13-17 and 10-24) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. As part of the program, payments will be accepted until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays (March 14, 16, 21 and 23).
Those taking part would need to bring a copy of their citation, proof of valid insurance and registration for their vehicle.
The Clerk’s office first offered Operation Greenlight in 2015 and since then it has expanded. During last year’s event, 377 drivers became eligible for reinstatement, the office said.
“It is our sincere hope that individuals with suspended driver licenses will take advantage of this limited time opportunity to have their additional fees waived,” Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller Kelvin Soto said. “Driving on a suspended license can have significant consequences and we encourage those eligible to let us help them get back on the road soundly.”
Other counties, including Lake, are also holding Operation Green Light campaigns. Information about other counties’ events can be found at www.flclerks.com/page/greenlight. The Osceola Clerk’s office also can directly connect to other county’s Clerk’s offices to provide contacts there for issues in other counties.
