March 2023

The latest news and updates

Pro Bono Registration

It's time to start thinking of the impact you could have on the Seminole County community. We ask you to please join us in our efforts to maintain the wonderful quality of life we enjoy in Seminole County by donating your time and talents to help a disenfranchised person(s) with their legal needs or by providing an in lieu of service monetary donation to help support our legal program. Below is a link to our 2023 Pro Bono Registration form for your consideration. Click here to let us know how you plan to impact the Seminole County community.

Operation Greenlight

Seminole County is waiving collection fees in an attempt to help driver’s get their licenses re-instated, the Clerk of Court and Comptroller have been authorized to waive collection agency fees up to 25% when residents pay off their court obligations in full or sign up for a monthly payment plan.


This opportunity is only available from February 27th to March 3rd, 8:00am-4:30pm online or at the Criminal Justice Center, located at 101 Eslinger Way, Sanford, Florida 32773. For more information, click here.

Preparing for Tax Season

It's that time of year again, tax season is upon us. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed or lost in all the paperwork, click the following link to see IRS recommendations on how to get ready. If you find you need further assistance visit one of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program sites which is a free tax preparation service run by IRS-certified volunteers for families and individuals across the Greater Orlando area. VITA offers this free tax help to those who make less than $73,000, and the volunteers will provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing.


Included below are VITA sites located in Seminole County. For more information about the program or other sites please click here.


Seminole County VITA locations:

Seminole State College Sanford/Lake Mary Campus

100 Weldon Blvd., Bldg J, Room 102, Sanford, FL 32773

Open starting 02/04/2023, offering both in-person and virtual appointments on Fridays at 6:00pm-9:00pm and Saturdays at 10:30am - 2:30pm. Walk-ins are welcome and Spanish translators will be present at this site.


The Sharing Center

600 N. Hwy 17-92, Suite 158, Longwood, FL 32750

Open starting o2/08/2023, offering in-person appointments on Wednesdays at 10:00am-3:00pm. You may schedule your appointment by calling (689) 208-2153 or emailing vitatax@thesharingcenter.org

Bank On

The fastest way to get your tax return is through direct deposit and for those without bank accounts, this is not an option. In an attempt to alleviate the confusion and distrust some people associate with large banking institutions, the nationwide Bank On campaign works to remove these barriers. These resources help to guide you in obtaining secure, insured, low-cost accounts that best fit your needs to help build your banking history and credit score.


Partnering with a variety of financial institutions, the United Way Heart of Florida branch of Bank On has developed a user friendly website to browse all the available options. Click here to view the financial institutions that partner with Bank On in Florida.

Legal Advice Clinic at Seminole State College

As a college student, there are already so many important things pressing on your mind like exam due dates, homework assignments, and juggling your personal responsibilities, the last thing you should have to worry about is an eviction or time-sharing issues. Our staff attorneys will be on campus every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 9:00am-12:00pm in order to help student address any legal concerns they have that may be affecting their ability to focus on graduation.


Location: 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32771 Student Center Building, Room: SC260


Upcoming Dates:

March 23rd

April 13th

April 27th


For more information email Camryn Williams at camrynw@scbalas.com

Sealing and Expungement Workshop

Our sealing and expungement workshop is back full in swing this year both virtually and in-person. Don't let that arrest on your record prevent you from getting the job of your dreams. In partnership with Goodwill Industries, our office holds a workshop to learn from our experienced volunteer attorneys how to seal or expunge your record. This workshop takes place every first Wednesday of the month in-person at the Sanford Library and virtually every third Wednesday of the month via Zoom.


You may qualify if you had:

  • Adjudication withheld or charges dropped
  • AND never previously sealed or expunged your record

To check the list of disqualifying crimes, click here.

Upcoming Virtual Workshops

March 15th

April 19th

May 17th

June 21st

July 19th

August 16th

September 20th

October 18th

November 15th


Click here to register!

Upcoming In-Person Workshops

March 1st

April 5th

May 3rd

July 5th

August 2nd

September 6th

October 4th

November 1st

December 6th


Location: 150 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL 32771

For any questions or more information, contact Camryn Williams, Pro-Bono Coordinator at (407) 834-1660 ext. 114 or camrynw@scbalas.com

Veterans Free Legal Advice Clinic

We are honored to be able to assist those who have served this nation. At our Veterans Free Legal Advice clinic, speak with our experienced volunteer and staff attorneys about your legal issue. Come see us at the Central Library from 1:00-4:00pm, March 16th. No registration is required, we just ask that you check in before 3:00pm. If you are unable to attend this month, don't worry, we will be back every third Thursday of the month.


Location: 215 N. Oxford Rd., Casselberry, FL 32707


Upcoming Dates:

April 20th

May 18th

June 22nd

July 20th

August 17th

September 21st

October 19th

November 16th


For more information on the program and how to get involved, please contact Denice Garza at deniceg@scbalas.com

New Administrative Orders

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.: 23-06 AMENDED SUPERSEDES 23-06

IN RE: JUDGES - ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES


ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.: 23-11-S

IN RE: JUDGES - CASELOAD ASSIGNMENT - REASSIGNMENT OF CASES ASSIGNED TO JUDGE MELANIE CHASE


ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.: 23-13 SUPERSEDES 22-20 AMENDED

IN RE: FEES - ESTABLISHMENT OF DUE PROCESS SERVICE PROVIDER RATES AND POLICIES GOVERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF EXPERT WITNESSES


ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO.: 23-14-S

IN RE: TRAFFIC – PLEA OF NO CONTEST AND REQUEST FOR WITHHOLD OF ADJUDICATION PROGRAM

Upcoming Events


March 1, 2023 - In-Person Sealing and Expungement


March 7, 2023 - ProjectRISE Presentation


March 15, 2023 - Virtual Sealing and Expungement


March 16, 2023 - Veterans Free Legal Advice Clinic


March 23, 2023 - Seminole State College Legal Advice Clinic

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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1-800-435-7352, WITHIN THE STATE OR ONLINE AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS 1944.