A backlog in the new $10 million case management system in Pinellas County called Odyssey is causing trouble for drivers who were recently issued a traffic ticket and want to pay it online, according to the director of the Clerk of Court, Connie Daniels.
The director said in order to convert data into Odyssey they had to shut down inputting for two weeks, which created the backlog. The Odyssey system went live on July 14.
A driver who was issued a speeding ticket by Clearwater Police on July 18, could not pay his fine online. When the driver typed the citation into the Pinellas Clerk of Court's website on Thursday, a red error message popped stating 'no citations were found'. Traffic tickets must be paid within 30 days of being issued.
Daniels said staff is working weekends and overtime to get everything up to date and current in the computer system. Until that happens, Daniels said they've put a hold on the suspension process, essentially extending that 30-day window, until payments can be applied. The director said they do not want to cause citizens any inconvenience.
Traffic tickets can still be paid the old fashion way through the mail, in person, or a drop box with a copy of the ticket.