Drivers with a suspended license or overdue traffic tickets may be eligible to get back on the road through the Lee County Clerk’s annual Operation Green Light event March 13-24. Anyone with cases in collections will be allowed to pay their court fees and fines without getting charged the 25% collection surcharge.
The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at both Clerk locations in downtown Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Special extended hours will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, March 17 and 24 at the downtown Fort Myers office.
“Since 2020, this event has saved customers nearly $2.5 million in collection fees, and more than 2,500 people became eligible to get their licenses back,” said Kevin Karnes, Lee County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller. “Operation Green Light is the perfect opportunity for citizens to save money and get back behind the wheel.”
To take advantage of the offer, visit the Lee Clerk’s office at the downtown Fort Myers Justice Center or call 239-533-5000. Customers can also save time by scheduling an appointment at www.leeclerk.com/appointment.
“Once drivers are in compliance with the courts, they can conveniently apply to have their licenses reinstated right at the Justice Center or Cape Coral branch,” said Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector. “We are proud to partner with the Clerk’s office to offer our citizens the ability to get back on the road.”
Traffic tickets must be paid in full, but customers may enter into an affordable monthly payment plan for criminal court fees.
Customers can pay their court fees and fines to the Clerk in cash, cashier’s check, money order or credit card. Additional fees to the Tax Collector are required to reinstate a driver’s license. Payments by credit card are subject to a transaction fee. The Justice Center is located at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers. The Cape Coral branch is located at 1039 SE 9th Place, 2nd Floor.
Learn more about Clerk’s Operation Green Light event at www.leeclerk.org/ogl. For questions about driver’s license reinstatements, visit the Tax Collector’s website at www.leetc.com.
Collection fees will not be charged in Lee County during the Clerk’s Operation Green Light event
Drivers with a suspended license or overdue traffic tickets may be eligible to get back on the road through the Lee County Clerk’s annual Operation Green Light event through April 8. Anyone with cases in collections will be allowed to pay their court fees and fines without getting charged the 25% collection surcharge.
The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Special extended hours will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, April 1 and 8. The office will also be open exclusively for Operation Green Light customers 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2.
“Last year, we saved customers nearly $500,000 in fines and fees, and almost 1,000 people became eligible to get their licenses back,” said Kevin Karnes, Lee County Clerk of Court. “This year, we are partnering with the Tax Collector’s office starting April 2 to allow customers to request license reinstatements right at the courthouse.”
To take advantage of the offer, visit the Lee Clerk’s office at the downtown Fort Myers Justice Center or call 239-533-5000. Customers can also save time by scheduling an appointment at www.leeclerk.com/appointment.
“Operation Green Light helps drivers save money and get back on the road so they can work, run errands, and take care of their families,” said Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector. “We are proud to partner with the Clerk’s office to offer our citizens this important opportunity to have their licenses reinstated.”
Traffic tickets must be paid in full, but if criminal court fees can’t be paid in full, customers can still benefit from savings by signing up for an affordable monthly payment plan.
Customers can pay their court fees and fines to the Clerk in cash, cashier’s check, money order or credit card. Additional statutory fees to the Tax Collector are required to reinstate a driver license. Payments by credit card are subject to a transaction fee. The Justice Center is located at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers.
Learn more about Clerk’s Operation Green Light event at www.leeclerk.org/ogl. For questions about driver license reinstatements, visit the Tax Collector’s website at www.leetc.com.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Kevin Karnes as Lee County Clerk of Court & Comptroller, filling the seat of retired Clerk Linda Doggett.
Karnes is a 14-year veteran of the office and previously served as chief operating officer, overseeing approximately 300 employees in departments handling court services, finance and technology. He has implemented new services giving the public more convenient access to the courts while improving efficiencies for the judiciary and attorneys through video conferencing, online scheduling and online document certification.
“I am deeply honored to receive Gov. DeSantis’ appointment, and I appreciate the opportunity serve Lee County,” Karnes said. “With this appointment, your Clerk’s office will continue to operate effectively and efficiently with no interruption in services.”
Chief Judge McHugh had temporarily appointed former Clerk Charlie Green to the role while awaiting a decision from the governor. A special election will take place Aug. 23, 2022, to allow voters to elect the Clerk until the next general election in 2024.
Karnes started his career with the Lee Clerk’s office in 2007 as a part-time file clerk while seeking his degree at Florida Gulf Coast University. He worked his way up to evidence clerk, operations manager, chief of courts, and eventually, chief operating officer.
“We are already making progress on our plan to better serve the community,” Karnes said. “My goal is to continue our vision of being recognized as a premier model of exceptional government and provide outstanding customer service to our community.”
Karnes has been actively involved in the community for more than 10 years. He serves on the board of directors of the United Way and on the Florida Bar grievance committee for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. He recently chaired the Cape Coral Redistricting Commission, which proposed new district maps to the Cape Coral City Council following the 2020 census.
Karnes previously served as the president of the Southwest Florida Young Republicans from 2016 to 2020 and was on the Lee County Republican Executive Committee for nearly a decade. He has also served on the News-Press editorial board and as a guardian ad litem.
For more information about Clerk Karnes or the Clerk’s office, please visit leeclerk.org.
After nearly four decades of public service to Lee County, Clerk of the Court & Comptroller Linda Doggett has announced her retirement effective Feb. 18, 2022.
Doggett was first elected in 2012. Prior to her election, she worked in the Clerk’s office in various leadership positions dating back to 1984.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities this office has afforded me both professionally and in service to the community for the past 37.5 years,” Doggett said. “I am also very proud to have led a talented team of professionals who work hard every day to serve the people of Lee County,” Doggett said.
Under her tenure as Clerk, Doggett implemented many changes to enhance services using the latest technologies. While Clerk, she led the transition of the Internal Audit Department to an accredited Inspector General for Lee County government. Over the years, the Clerk’s Inspector General has saved millions of taxpayer dollars by stopping real and potential fraud, waste, and abuse in our county.
In addition, the Clerk’s office opened a Self-Help Center, providing essential court services at no cost to taxpayers. The office also partnered with Legal Aid to provide free 20-minute attorney consultations for customers who are struggling to represent themselves in the complex court system.
In recent years, many paperless processes were implemented to enhance efficiencies through the office. Services were also expanded online to provide customers with added convenience. The office launched partnerships with TurboCourt to allow customers to easily file court cases. TeleClerk video conferencing was also launched for customers during the pandemic to provide uninterrupted services.
Clerk Doggett points to her team of professional and caring clerks as the key to the office being recognized as a model of excellence for local government.
“To ensure Lee County continues to receive the quality service they have come to expect from our office, I have recommended Gov. DeSantis appoint our Chief Operating Officer Kevin Karnes to finish my term,” Doggett said.
“Mr. Karnes has the knowledge, skills, and experience required to perform the job. He is highly qualified to lead the Clerk’s office.”
Karnes currently oversees more than 300 of the office’s 325 employees.
For more information about the Clerk’s office, please visit leeclerk.org.
Lee County Clerk of Court Linda Doggett is opening her office Saturday, Nov. 6 to help Spring Break travelers apply for passports. With processing times up to 14 weeks, those traveling overseas early next year are encouraged to submit passport applications soon.
Customers can schedule their appointments for the Saturday event between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at www.leeclerk.org/appointment.
“While processing times have improved, it still takes over three months to get your passport back from the U.S. Department of State,” Doggett said. “If you are planning to travel for Spring Break, you need to apply for your passport now to ensure you have it in time.”
The convenient Saturday hours are designed to help customers and families who cannot visit the Clerk’s office during weekday business hours.
Customers are asked to save time by downloading and completing their passport applications prior to coming into the office. Forms must be completed in black ink. Passport services are provided at the Clerk’s Recording Department, located at 2115 Second Street, 2nd floor, Fort Myers.
Applicants can have their passport photos taken at the Clerk’s office for $15 plus tax. Two forms of payment are also required, including at least one check or money order. To learn more about passport fees or to download forms, visit www.leeclerk.org/passports.
While routine processing is up to 14 weeks, those who need their passports sooner can purchase expedited processing and receive their passport within 10 weeks.
During Passport Day, customers will be able to record official documents, such as deeds and mortgages, without an appointment.
For more information about passports or services provided by the Lee Clerk’s office, visit www.leeclerk.org.
Learn from experts how to access millions of Lee County’s court records, including divorce, traffic tickets, civil lawsuits, and criminal cases.
Lee County Clerk of Court Linda Doggett is hosting a free webinar to teach you how to search and view court records from the convenience of your home computer. The public webinar will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 28.
“As your Clerk, I am responsible for safeguarding every court document filed in Lee County,” Doggett said.
“During this webinar, you will learn which records you can view online and how to request any documents that require redaction.”
The presenters will share how to navigate the Court Records Inquiry programand its customized views for the public and attorneys. You will also learn how to purchase e-certified court records, view the court calendar, and submit a public records request.
To register for the webinar, visit www.leeclerk.org/investigations101. The webinar, titled Investigations 101: How to Search & E-Certify Court Records, is part of the Clerk’s new monthly webinar series, which teaches citizens about the resources available to help file cases and navigate the court system.
Attorneys who attend the webinar will qualify for one general CLE credit and one technology CLE credit.
While the Clerk’s staff can answer procedural questions, the office is prohibited from offering legal advice. If customers who are not represented by an attorney have legal questions, they can visit www.leeclerk.org/appointmentto schedule a free appointment with Legal Aid at the Justice Center in Fort Myers.
For more information about the Clerk’s office, visit www.leeclerk.org or call 239-533-5000.
