Macomb County DUI

Posted on February 13, 2015

A drinking and driving charge is always what I call an accident of geography. No one gets in his or her car intending to be arrested for a DUI. DUI cases just “happen,” even if, looking back on the circumstances, it’s not that much of a surprise why. Since no one...

What Happens to my Driver’s License in a Michigan DUI?

Posted on January 19, 2015

The clerk of the court where your DUI case is pending is legally obligated to send what’s called an “abstract” (essentially meaning a copy) of your conviction for a drunk driving offense to the Secretary of State. In almost all cases, this happens right after a plea deal has been...

Michigan Substance Abuse Evaluations for License Restoration

Posted on September 29, 2014

In theory, just about any clinician should be able to do a substance abuse evaluation. If you show the form to a clinician, just about everyone will conclude that he or she can properly complete it. However, because of the way the DAAD interprets these evaluations, theory collapses under the weight of...

The 3 Main Reasons why Michigan Driver’s License Restoration Appeals lose – Part 1 – the Substance Abuse Evaluation

Posted on February 14, 2014

Do you see how strongly the absence of the negative instruction changes things? When you read it carefully, you cannot help but see that the hearing officer is essentially directed by the law to look for reasons to deny your appeal. Important here is that of the issues you must prove (“all...

Michigan DUI and Probation Violations in DUI cases Involving ADD, Anxiety, Depression or Mood Disorders – Part 1

Posted on November 8, 2013

When you stop and think about it for a moment, without even getting into the underlying complexities of a mental health issue or a drinking problem, the number of possible combinations of these potential situations is staggering: Anxiety disorder without drinking problem

Upset man sitting in car holding beer bottle and covering face after drunk driving

Winning back your Michigan Driver’s License After 2 or more DUIs

Posted on September 13, 2013

When you satisfactorily prove this to a hearing officer, you win what is technically called “restoration” (not reinstatement, although I use the term like everyone else) of your driver’s license. The newly returned license is “restricted,” meaning that you can’t just use it to drive wherever or whenever you want. Instead, the...

Close-up of client’s hands while talking with professional holding clipboard

Counseling or Treatment After 1st Offense DUI in Michigan?

Posted on September 9, 2013

Soon enough, though, most people start thinking realistically, and begin to go from fantasizing about miracle outcomes to the realities of making things better. Whatever else, they, wonder, if this thing isn’t going to go away, what can I do to minimize the consequences I face? At some point, usually early on,...

Michigan Driver’s License Restoration or Clearance Eligibility

Posted on July 8, 2013

It is important to first point out that being “eligible” to file a license appeal does not mean that you are necessarily “able” to win your license back. Being ready, in a word, means being sober. Only when you’re in a position to prove you sobriety are you really ready to undertake...

Driver standing with arms out as police officer conducts field sobriety test

DUI and the HGN (“Follow With Your Eyes, Not Your Head”) Test

Posted on April 29, 2013

Imagine being asked to follow a pen with your eyes during a traffic stop. This simple request might seem harmless, but it’s actually one of law enforcement’s most powerful tools for detecting impaired drivers. The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, which boasts an impressive accuracy rate, has become a cornerstone...

Happy driver sitting in car proudly holding up renewed driver’s license

Michigan Driver’s License Restoration – Full or Restricted License

Posted on February 11, 2013

After a year with a Restricted License, and after a 12 full months of using an ignition interlock, a person can file for another Hearing in front of the DAAD and request a Full License, and that the interlock be removed. Part of the filing requirement is that a person submit what’s...

DUI in Oakland County

Posted on November 30, 2012

Without a doubt, a person with a DUI in Oakland County will face a greater number of potential consequences than someone with a DUI in Macomb: Yet there is one thing, or “flaw” that all the Courts, regardless of location, have in common that can be used to your...

Close-up of business people completing agreement and signing paperwork

Michigan Driver’s License Restoration Letters of Support

Posted on November 9, 2012

Imagine Letter-writer Larry writing about his longtime friend, Sober Sam. Larry tries to explain how Sam became and has remained Sober. In a somewhat common mistake, Larry will try and “reassure” the State that in the past, he never saw Sam really get out of control with his drinking, or that he...