My team and I have been hard at work during the month of October. We've unveiled various upgrades to our website with the Parking Service Assistant (PSA) which will assist customers who have received parking tickets issued by various agencies. We've also unveiled the new indigent payment plan, where customers who meet the criteria can pay off their court obligations monthly with a payment they can afford. We also continue to encourage residents to sign up to our FREE Property Fraud Alert System, which notifies property owners if a change in their deed has occurred.
Understanding the importance technology plays in providing efficient and effective service to our customers, we continue looking for tools that will make the user experience on our website and at our facilities a positive one. I am looking at potential uses of artificial intelligence for our website to provide our customers with a more deliberate guided engagement enabling you to successfully transact virtually.
Lastly, bringing services to your community continues to be one of my priorities. Not only are we actively promoting and looking for opportunities to partner with local government offices and other community events to avail residents of our services through the mobile services unit, but we are also working with the Miami-Dade County Internal Services Department to co-locate services in future government center facilities in the areas of west and north Dade. Finally, our office has created a partnership with Miami-Dade College (MDC) to provide internship opportunities for students seeking to obtain real-life, hands-on experience with our office.
On a personal note, all of these updates and upgrades are not possible without the hard work of my team. I am truly appreciative for their dedication to the office.
Yours in service,
Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Esq.
Parking Service Assistant:
Optimizing Citation Payments and FAQs
My team and I are excited to announce a new Parking Service Assistant (PSA) on our website. The PSA is a user-friendly web application designed to optimize and simplify the process of paying parking citations issued by local municipalities, as well as to provide answers to frequently asked questions.
On the PSA landing page, customers select from three languages—English, Spanish, or Creole and are provided with an overview of how we can assist them. Once customers select their preferred language, the application will guide you through options, providing answers to common questions, including:
• Pay for Parking Citations: Parking citations issued by various cities within Miami-Dade County can be paid here to avoid additional penalties. Customers can search for their citation using a citation number or vehicle tag number.
• Request a Court Hearing for Your Citation: Customers have 30 days from the date the citation was issued to request a court hearing, which will be conducted via Zoom.
• Unable to Renew My Tag Due to a Hold: A hold may be placed on your vehicle registration if you have three or more unpaid parking citations, or one unpaid citation for a handicap violation. All citations must be paid in full to remove the hold.
• Received a Tow Order in the Mail: If you have five or more unpaid parking citations, or one unpaid handicap violation, a tow order may be issued for your vehicle. The vehicle can be towed at any time. To avoid the tow and extra fees, all outstanding citations must be paid before the deadline.
• Vehicle Was Towed for Unpaid Citations: If your vehicle is towed, you will need to visit our office to pay all outstanding citations and obtain a release to present to the tow company. Towing fees charged by the towing company will also need to be paid to reclaim your vehicle.
• Citation Received Despite Paying for Metered Parking: If you received a citation after paying for metered parking (at a machine or via an app), we provide helpful information on how to proceed.
As we continue to improve the user experience for our Miami-Dade County community, my team and I hope that the PSA web application offers guidance and provides a better experience on our website. To visit the new Parking Service Assistant, CLICK HERE
Affidavit of Indigency Application
Now Available Online for Traffic and Criminal Cases
I am excited to announce a significant update my office, the Affidavit of Indigency Application is now available online, offering a more efficient and accessible way for customers to apply for indigency status in both traffic and criminal cases. This new tool represents an important step toward simplifying the payment plan process for individuals who may struggle with financial hardship.
Previously, customers who sought to establish indigency and reduce their payment obligations were required to visit our office in person. This often resulted in long wait times and additional stress for those already facing financial challenges. With this new online application, customers can now apply for indigency status directly from the convenience of their home.
Here's how the process works: when a customer attempts to set up a payment plan but finds the default amount too high, they now have the option to apply for indigency status within the system. The application will automatically assess the customer’s eligibility based on the stored poverty guidelines data. If they qualify, the system will immediately adjust the required down payment and monthly payment amounts, offering relief for those who need it most.
This streamlined approach will not only save time and reduce the need for in-person visits, but it will also make the payment process more accessible for individuals facing financial hardship. By eliminating the requirement to visit the office, customers can focus on resolving their legal matters more efficiently.
This new feature will have a positive impact on our community, making it easier for individuals to manage their obligations while minimizing financial strain. I would like to thank my team at the Technical Services Division (TSD) for their commitment to improving access to justice and providing user-friendly services to meet the needs of all customers.
If you or someone you know is facing a financial burden and may benefit from indigency status, please visit our website to learn more about the online application process. This is one of many steps I am taking to ensure a more equitable and efficient system for all.
Our Office is Partnering with Miami Dade College
to Offer Student Internships
In a move to strengthen ties between education and professional development, my office has partnered with Miami Dade College (MDC) in offering students internship opportunities at the Office of the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. Our two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at creating valuable internship opportunities for students, providing them with real-world experience that will enhance their education.
This collaboration will offer students a unique chance to gain practical insights and hands-on experience by working on meaningful projects within the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller’s Office. The MOU outlines a framework for internship placements, which will allow students to apply their academic knowledge, develop essential skills, and gain professional exposure to industry practices.
I am thrilled to partner with MDC, who was recently named by US News and World Report as the 4th top public schools - regional colleges and ranked 18th overall
among schools in the South Region. These internship opportunities will provide students the opportunity to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. This initiative not only benefits the students but also enhances our organization by bringing in fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. My goal from day one is to retain local talent through internship opportunities and partnering with one of the largest and most diverse institutions in higher education in the United States is something that just made sense.
Through the program, students will be matched with projects that align with their academic pursuits and career goals while contributing to the essential functions of my office. By participating, interns will gain valuable experience that will prepare them for future careers, fostering professional growth and supporting the development of a skilled workforce in the community.
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller’s Office is committed to investing in the next generation of leaders, and this partnership reflects a shared goal with Miami Dade College to equip students with the tools they need for success. This collaboration marks an important step toward bridging the gap between education and employment, benefiting both the students and the organization through a shared exchange of knowledge and ideas. Both institutions look forward to a fruitful and successful partnership.
Community Outreach & Mobile Unit
We continue to provide access to our office by bringing our services directly to your community. Our mobile unit traveled to the City of Homestead and Opa-Locka where customers were able to resolve their court obligations without having to travel a long distance. Additionally, we participated in the October "Second Chance/Sealing and Expunging" program held at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. This event in conjunction with State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle assisted 64 residents of our community.
Property Fraud Alert System
Earlier this year, I took significant steps in protecting homeowners from property fraud by launching the Online Property Fraud Alert service, designed to notify property owners when a deed, mortgage, or other document in their name has been recorded in Miami-Dade County’s official records. This initiative is a proactive effort to safeguard homeowners from fraudulent activities, particularly in our rapidly growing real estate market.
As Miami-Dade County continues to experience a booming housing market, property fraud has become an increasing concern. Fraudsters often target high-demand areas by filing fake deeds to sell, transfer, or encumber properties that do not belong to them. The Free Property Fraud Alert service offers homeowners an effective tool to monitor their property records and detect any suspicious activity early. Once registered, property owners will receive an email alert within 24 hours if any deed, mortgage, or other document is recorded under their name. This quick notification system allows homeowners to act immediately, reducing the potential damage from unauthorized activity.
Typically, property fraud occurs when an individual uses a forged document to sell, transfer, or encumber property that is not theirs. This free online alert program provides another layer of protection against such fraudulent actions. Currently, when a deed is submitted for recording, my office reviews it to ensure compliance with Florida law. After this review, we send a courtesy notice by mail to the property owner within five to seven business days, advising them of any changes in ownership. However, the new online alert system offers a faster, more efficient way for homeowners to stay informed and protect their property in real time.
This proactive measure is expected to provide an additional layer of security for Miami-Dade residents, helping to combat the rising threat of property fraud in the area. By catching potential fraud early, homeowners can prevent further complications, saving both time and money.
I am committed to helping our residents fight fraud and offering simple, effective ways to assist them in safeguarding their homes.
For more information and to register for this free service, SIGN UP HERE.
By signing up, homeowners can take an important step in protecting their most valuable asset: their property
