DEAR Program Extends Court Debt Relief to 11,000 Residents with Suspended Licenses

The Durham Expunction and Restoration (DEAR) Program has extended relief from court debt to more than 11,000 people whose drivers’ licenses were suspended because of inability to pay traffic fines and fees.

During 33 court sessions over the past two years, the Durham County District Attorney’s Office — a partner in the DEAR Program — has successfully motioned the court to waive a total of $2.7 million in fines and fees preventing 11,084 individuals from being able to restore their drivers’ licenses.

The last of these court sessions was held at the Durham County Courthouse on Monday, October 26 before District Court Judge Shamieka Rhinehart, wrapping up an effort that began when DEAR identified these individuals as eligible for relief in 2018 and began working through their cases. This debt was tied to 14,629 traffic cases going back as far as thirty years, and each of these individuals has had a suspended license for at least two years.

People with license suspensions stemming from traffic charges in Durham County can find out if they have already received relief from the DEAR Program by visiting SecondChanceDriving.org.

“Having a driver’s license can transform a life,” said Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry. “Through DEAR, thousands of people in Durham now have better access to employment, education, and other opportunities. At the Durham DA’s Office, our focus is community safety — and that includes the ability for all of us to fully participate in our economy and society. Thank you to the DEAR staff, Clerk’s Office, judges, and Durham DA’s Office staff for all their hard work to make this happen.”

Read more here from the City of Durham.