County accepts $500,000 state grant to help suspended drivers regain licenses through court program

Oakland County accepted a $500,000 grant from the state court administrative office to expand an Operation Drive program designed to help people with driving-related court issues regain legal driving status.

Alex Black, a board administrator with the 52-1 District Court, told the committee the program targets people suspended for driving-related issues (including license suspensions and unpaid fines) and will provide monthly judge check-ins via Zoom, transportation support (rides or transit), attorney assistance to negotiate fines and a part-time staffer to maintain a database of participants and outcomes. Black said the grant is intended to return money to program participants to help them comply with requirements and avoid misdemeanor outcomes; the program will enroll people who could regain driving privileges within an 11-month window.

Black said the effort has precedent in other district courts and that the $500,000 award requires no county match. Commissioners asked about caseloads and if the grant will support multiple districts; Black said the program will work across districts and that courts that had piloted the program showed promising success rates.

The committee voted to accept the grant; staff said they would return data to the committee six months after implementation to report outcomes and metrics.