Flagler County is working to give people who have unpaid traffic tickets or court fines and fees a break.

  • Flagler County offering 40 percent discount on tickets, fines, fees
  • 2-week discount window runs from Sept. 19 to Sept. 30
  • For more information, go to www.flaglerclerk.com

The Walk In Drive Out program is a two-week event that offers people a 40 percent discount.

James Green, a Flagler County resident, said he was having a tough time paying his court fees.

"It was due the 14th, but my wife was in the hospital," Green said. "(Now it's) one thing off my plate."

Green's license was suspended for two days, but he was able to get that reinstated Monday, as well, as the program got underway.

With a child and a sick wife, Green said he needed the extra help.

"We are offering this program to help our residents who have tickets, fines and fees that were in collection before June 1 of this year (2016)," said Gail Wadsworth, court clerk and comptroller for Flagler County. "This may allow some to restore their suspended driving privileges once the outstanding fines and late fees are paid."

The two-week event is taking place as Wadsworth's office transitions to a new collection agency.

"There are many people just finally getting a foot up — their noses are above water just a little," Wadsworth said. "We want to help them a little bit more to swim."

Some of the fees and fines date back 22 years, Wadsworth said.

Green owed $260 for his ticket and an additional $60 for driver's license reinstatement. He saved $74 on Monday, but some people who owed $1,000 plus $400 in collection fees would only have to pay the $1,000 to clear their debt.

Wadsworth said the program will help cut down on the $1.24 million of the county's uncollected debt.

"Let's cross my fingers," Wadsworth said. "In one day last year, we had 100 cases paid, we had 21 people restore their driving privileges at our counter and 79 people eligible to do so, but had things somewhere else."

Wadsworth said the county has had 1,037 criminal traffic cases within a year. Of those, 387 were knowingly driving on a suspended license.

"If you don't go to work, you can't pay for anything," Wadsworth said. "So, you drive with your suspended license to work (and) somebody's at risk."

With the program, people like Green have some peace.

"It helps tremendously," Green said. "A little bit helps today."

Late fees won't be waived, but anyone paying tickets, fines and fees within this time period will be spared the costs of collections surcharges.

If you're not sure if you owe money to the Flagler Clerk of the Circuit Court, you can do a name search on the website: www.flaglerclerk.com.

The program will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on the first floor of the Central Receipting Office at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, located at 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 1, in Bunnell.

Payments will be accepted in cash, check, money order or major credit card. Third-party checks won't be accepted. Phone and online payments will also be accepted.

Suspended driving privileges can't be restored to drivers who have overdue tickets in another county, an expired driver's license or other misdemeanor offenses that would make them ineligible.

The county also offers a payment plan for those who need help paying down their fines.