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| DRIVE LEGAL PROGRAM |
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In 1991, approximately 60,000 Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) violations were filed in Miami-Dade County. Since this single charge had a serious impact on the Traffic Judge’s caseload, the Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit requested that a Traffic Diversion Committee be established to study the feasibility of a traffic diversion program for certain criminal traffic cases.
In May 1992, a pilot DWLS program was established based on the recommendations of the Miami-Dade County Diversion Committee. The Committee was and still is chaired by the Associate Administrative Judge of the Traffic Division (which is Judge Leifman), and includes members of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), State Attorney’s Office (SAO), Public Defender’s Office (PDO), and the Clerk’s Office (COC).
The DWLS pilot program evolved into what is known today as the Drive Legal Program. It is a unique pre-trial diversion program operated by the County Courts Operations Division, Administrative Office of the Courts. The program diverts DWLS cases from going to court, thereby freeing up judicial calendars and reducing system costs. It’s been estimated that this program saves the criminal justice system approximately one million dollars per year and collects approximately $500,000 in court costs each year.
The program enables violators with a suspended driver’s license to be removed from collection agencies and pay off fines through community service, reducing the amount of court costs to be paid, in order to obtain a valid driver’s license. It provides a payment plan for any remaining court costs that must be paid. It also withholds a percentage of points from being incurred on a violator’s license, which could otherwise result in a point suspension. The program is funded through a non-refundable enrollment fee of $175.00, which covers all overhead expenses.
The program operates according to the guidelines in the State Attorney’s Office DWLS Offender Profile outline in Administrative Memorandum 2008-001. The profile outlines eligibility and exclusions for enrollment in the Drive Legal Program.
Contact Information
For additional information regarding the Drive Legal Program, you may contact the program at:
(305) 548-5363 or visit the program at the following locations:
Main Office: Richard E. Gerstein Building
1351 NW 12 St. Rm. 116
Miami, FL. 33125
Phone Number: (305) 548-5363
Days of Operation: Monday – Friday
Times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
South Branch: South Dade Justice Center
10710 SW 211 St. Rm. 1500
Miami, FL. 33189
Phone Number: (305) 234-1436
Days of Operation: Monday – Friday
Times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
North Dade: North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Blvd. Rm. 216
Miami, FL. 33160
Phone Number: (305) 354-8763
Days of Operation: Tuesdays ONLY
Times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hialeah Branch: Hialeah Court House
11 E. 6 St. Rm. 100
Hialeah, FL. 33010
Days of Operation: Fridays ONLY
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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