Commissioner Eileen Higgins to host presentation on reducing driver’s license suspensions due to fines and fees

MIAMI-DADE – Today, July 15, 2020 at noon, District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins, as Chair of the Community Disparities Subcommittee, will host a presentation on reducing driver’s license suspensions due to fines and fees.

It is estimated that over 300,000 residents of Miami-Dade currently have their licenses suspended for reasons completely unrelated to their ability to drive, but rather due to unpaid fees and fines. Data shows that roughly 80% of all license suspensions in Miami-Dade were for failure to pay some sort of fine or fee. Driver’s license suspensions make it harder for people to get and keep a job, to provide for their families, and to be contributing members to society. Worse still, this system disproportionately affects low-income communities and those of color.

While much of this area of law is governed by Florida statute, Commissioner Higgins is convening stakeholders to study and propose local solutions that make it easier for residents to comply and pay their fines, thereby increasing revenue, decreasing administrative costs, and improving the economic resilience of Miami-Dade residents.