South County Traffic Court in Pinellas
The old South County Traffic Facility closed at the end of 2018. Effective January 1, 2019, the criminal traffic cases pending in South County Traffic Court were relocated to the Pinellas County Justice Center (CJC) on 49th Street in Clearwater, FL, following Administrative Order No. 2018-058 PI-CIR.
Both civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic misdemeanor cases are heard in Division I and Division II in South County. Examples of criminal traffic misdemeanor cases include driving under the influence (DUI), driving with a suspended license (DWLS), having no valid driver’s license, and leaving the scene of a crash (hit and run).
Attorney for Traffic Misdemeanors in St. Petersburg, FL
If you have a traffic misdemeanor case originating in the southern part of Pinellas County, FL, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm.
Our criminal defense attorneys represent clients throughout Pinellas County, FL, for criminal misdemeanor charges such as DUI, DWLS, no valid driver’s license, and leaving the scene of a crash (hit and run). Visit our office at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd Suite 701, Clearwater, FL 33762-3820.
Call 727-210-7004.
Reassignment of Traffic Misdemeanor Cases
After the closure of the traffic court facility in St. Petersburg, the administrative order directed the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court to assign all cases filed in the Traffic Division in Pinellas County by this Administrative Order and the Local Rules. Criminal Traffic cases are to be assigned based on the ZIP code of the agency issuing the citation except as provided in this Administrative Order.
Cases filed in Pinellas County from the following agencies will be assigned to Sections 49 and 50 at the Pinellas County Justice Center:
- Gulfport Police Department
- Indian Shores Police Department
- Kenneth City Police Department
- Pinellas County Schools Police
- Pinellas Park Police Department
- St. Petersburg Police Department
- Treasure Island Police Department
- The University of South Florida Police Department
- Bay Pines V.A. Police Service
Depending on the assignment of the deputy, trooper, or officer issuing the citation, cases will be assigned to either the North County Traffic Facility or the Pinellas County Justice Center when filed in Pinellas County from any of the following agencies:
- Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
- the Florida Highway Patrol
- the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
What about Cases in North County Traffic Court?
The Clearwater Traffic Court, which disposes of all criminal traffic infractions issued in the northern part of the county, will continue to do so at 29582 U.S. Highway 19 N. in Clearwater. Cases filed in Pinellas County from the following agencies will be assigned to Sections 51 and 52 at the North County Traffic Facility:
- Belleair Police Department
- Clearwater Police Department
- Largo Police Department
- Tarpon Springs Police Department
So the judge in North County Traffic Court will continue to hear cases filed by, among others, the police departments in Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo, and Belleair (as well as cases filed by the Pinellas County Sheriff or Florida Highway Patrol that originated in the northern part of the county).
Distribution of Cases Between the Court Facilities
Deputies, troopers, and officers will be assigned to either the North County Traffic Facility or the Pinellas County Justice Center in a manner that results in an even distribution of cases between the court facilities.
The Clerk shall provide the Administrative Office of the Courts with a report at least semi-annually that provides the percentage of cases assigned to the Pinellas County Justice Center and the percentage assigned to the North County Traffic Facility.
Assignment of Non-criminal Traffic Infractions
Non-criminal traffic infraction cases will continue to be assigned under Administrative Order 2017-032 or subsequent Administrative Order. If a county court judge is required in such a case, it will be calendared according to paragraph two of the Administrative Order.
The Clerk and Pinellas County Business Technology Services were directed to take any necessary action to implement the changes.
Plans to Move All of the Traffic Misdemeanor Cases
The original plan was to move both the North County Traffic Court and the South County Traffic Court to the Criminal Justice Center in 2021 after a construction project to expand the CJC courthouse was completed.
But after the project began, the authorities decided south county traffic court could be moved earlier to accommodate some plans by the clerk to consolidate that office’s resources. For now, Judge Riba will hear criminal traffic cases filed by, among others, the police departments in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Treasure Island, Gulfport, Kenneth City, and Indian Shores.
Additional Resources
Traffic Court Cases in Pinellas County – For years, the traffic court in St. Petersburg has been handling traffic cases (both civil and misdemeanor) originating in the southern part of Pinellas County. However, as of December 21, 2018, traffic court cases will no longer be handled at the county government complex at 1800 66th St. N. in St. Petersburg. Those cases are being moved to the County Justice Center at 14250 49th St. N. in Clearwater. The Pinellas County Clerk of Court was required to send notices to inform anyone with a pending case about the change. The case will now be heard in Courtroom 15 of the justice center by the same Pinellas County Judge who handled these traffic cases in the government center in St. Petersburg, Joshua Riba.
This page was updated on Friday, September 13, 2024.
