VeterAns outreACH Court offers relief froM outstAnding legAl fees And fines
Military & Veterans Affairs committee
Continued from page 48
from the Veterans Outreach Court.
Veterans cases that include
domestic violence, outstanding
child support obligations, or
pending felony warrants are not
eligible for relief before the
Veterans Outreach Court.
There is no cost to the veteran;
however, each veteran is required
to pre-register. This allows the
Veterans Administration to review
the applicant’s military history and
determine if the veteran status
claimed is accurate, preventing the
opportunity for stolen valor. The
State Attorney’s Office is able to
screen for criminal history and
pending warrants. The Clerk of
the Court reviews driving and
court records associated with
the veteran and determines the
outstanding amount owed in fines
and legal fees. The veteran is then
contacted and informed of the
date and time of the court hearing.
There is not a blanket forgive -
ness policy. Each case is reviewed
individually, and the judge discusses
the situation with the veteran.
Circuit Court Judges Kim
Hernandez Vance and Michael
Williams have participated in the
Veterans Outreach Court since
its inception. The judges have the
authority to reduce or dismiss the
financial obligation of the veteran
based on a variety of factors. This
relief assists the veteran in obtaining
a driver’s license, employment
and housing.
As Veterans Day approaches,
Chief Judge Ronald Ficarrotta
will sign an administrative order
author izing the Veterans Outreach
Court to be held on November 9,
2018, at the James A. Haley
Veterans Hospital Primary Care
Annex located at 13515 Lake
Terrace Lane in Tampa. Over
100 veterans are anticipated to
take advantage of this opportunity.
The veteran or their representative
can register at the Hillsborough
County Clerk of Court website:
www.hillsclerk.com. HCBA
attorneys, in their pro bono
capacity, have attended the court
and provided legal advice to the
veterans ranging from criminal to
family law. If you are interested
in providing legal advice to the
veterans in attendance, please
contact Denise Brown, Judicial
Assistant to Judge
Daryl Manning,
at (813)307-4751
or denise.brown
@fljud13.org.
Author: Judge
Daryl Manning –
Thirteenth
Circuit Court
HCBA members are invited to participate in the next
Veterans Outreach Court event on november 9.
SEPT - OCT 2018
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HCBA LAWYER
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