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Will Attending Alcoholics Anonymous Impact Your Michigan Driver License Restoration?

Posted by Mark Langschied on May 8, 2012   |   Comments Off

Alcoholics Anonymous or “AA” is a structured support group. Basically it’s a group of people who support each other in their efforts to remain sober. The 12 steps of AA help individuals maintain their sobriety. If one is working the steps, usually it is done with a sponsor. A sponsor is usually somebody that has a lot of experience in AA.

Any experienced Michigan license lawyer will tell you that while AA attendance is not always necessary, AA attendance can increase your chances of regaining your license. Why? AA support means it’s less likely you will start drinking again. A Michigan license attorney will tell you this is the main concern hearing officers have. If the hearing officer is convinced that you will not start drinking again, you should win your case.

When considering Michigan driver license restoration attorneys, I would urge you to find one that has a significant amount of experience. Michigan drivers license restoration attorneys that have handled a variety of license cases are preferred. For appeals, Michigan drivers license appeal attorneys are preferred.

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The Importance of Drug Screens in Michigan License Appeals

Posted by Mark Langschied on April 19, 2012   |   Comments Off

A drug screen is required for a Michigan drivers license appeal. The drug screen is required to have “10 panels”. This means the test must screen for 10 substances. In addition, the drug test must analyze for at least 2 integrity variables such as specific gravity, urine creatinine or pH level.

A negative drug screen is an important piece of evidence which can help you win your case. You can lose your appeal if the drug screen does not meet state requirements or is positive. A Michigan license attorney can make sure your drug screen meets state requirements. Further, a Michigan license lawyer can guide you through the Michigan drivers license appeal process.

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Substance Use Disorders Evaluation

Posted by Mark Langschied on March 19, 2012   |   Comments Off

The Substance Use Disorders Evaluation is a critical piece of evidence that must be submitted for your Michigan drivers license appeal hearing. The evaluation requires a person qualified to treat and diagnose individuals with substance abuse problems to render an opinion as to your diagnosis, prognosis, and whether you need any care or treatment. The evaluation can make or break your case for Michigan license reinstatement. For example, a poor prognosis would most likely result in an unsuccessful case. On the other hand, a good prognosis can play an important part in winning driving privileges.

For this reason, I would urge you to consider hiring a Michigan license restoration attorney or Michigan drivers license appeal lawyer to guide and represent you through the process of restoring your license.

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Evidence Needed to Meet Burden of Proof

Posted by Mark Langschied on March 2, 2012   |   Comments Off

What kind of evidence will help you meet the “clear and convincing” burden of proof requirement in a Michigan driver’s license appeal case? There is no limit to what evidence can be submitted. However, there are several things that must be submitted in support of your case. If you are a Michigan resident, you must file a Request for Hearing, Substance Use Disorders Evaluation, drug screen and 3-6 supporting letters.  If you are a former Michigan resident now residing in another state, you must also file a Petitioner’s Affidavit. These will be discussed in the next few Michigan driver’s license appeal blogs.

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Why Burden of Proof is Important in Appeal Cases

Posted by Mark Langschied on February 3, 2012   |   Comments Off

What is the burden of proof in a Michigan driver’s license appeal case?  The burden of proof is clear and convincing.  This is considered to be a very tough burden to meet.  Perhaps the best way to illustrate this is to compare it with the standard of proof in a civil damages case.  In a civil case, the burden of proof is a preponderance of evidence.  To prevail, 51% or more of the evidence would have to be on your side.  However, clear and convincing is a much higher burden than this.

I tell my clients that if there is any doubt in the hearing officer’s mind about their case, they will loose.  This is why I recommend that you seriously consider hiring a Michigan drivers license reinstatement attorney.

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The Burden of Proof

Posted by Mark Langschied on January 19, 2012   |   Comments Off

The burden of proof is how persuasively you must prove your case in order to win your Michigan drivers license appeal. If your “proofs” – all of your evidence such as testimony and documents exceed the burden of proof – then you will win. If your evidence is less than the level of the required proof, you will lose. The consequences of losing are harsh: you must wait a minimum of one year before another appeal may be heard. This is why I recommend you seriously consider hiring an experienced Michigan drivers license appeal lawyer.

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Important Evidence for Your Michigan Driver’s License Appeal

Posted by Mark Langschied on November 28, 2011   |   Comments Off

It is critical to submit evidence to support your Michigan driver’s license appeal. If you fail to do so, the consequences may be severe because you may lose your Michigan driver’s license appeal.

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How Your Michigan DUI Attorney Will Size Up the Prosecution

Posted by Mark Langschied on January 4, 2011   |   Comments Off

One of the skills that distinguish an experienced Michigan DUI attorney is his ability to size up the prosecution.

For example, extensive notes are usually not taken in DUI cases, as prosecutors tend to view them as pretty cut-and-dry. If your OWI lawyer notices that the prosecutors are taking extensive notes during the pretrial phase of your case, it is a pretty strong sign that there is something unusual about your case. However, it may be difficult to tell if this is a good or a bad thing, whether this unusual behavior bespeaks a strength or weakness in the state’s case against you.

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Proof You Need To Support Restoration Of Your Michigan Driver’s License

Posted by Mark Langschied on August 23, 2010   |   Comments Off

Let’s suppose that you have a revoked driver’s license because you have a number of drunk driving convictions. You have made the decision to try to reinstate your Michigan driver license. What evidence can be presented at your license reinstatement hearing?

You should realize that your hearing is very similar to a trial. Quite simply, a hearing officer acts as the judge. The hearing officer listens closely to your testimony, reviews your evidence and finally makes the decision as to whether or not you will be given another opportunity to drive.
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Driver’s License Restoration: What You Need to Know Concerning the Hearing

Posted by Mark Langschied on July 28, 2010   |   Comments Off

If you have a revoked driver’s license due to multiple DUIs, it is useful to know what to anticipate at your Michigan driver’s license restoration hearing. The hearing is similar to a trial. Testimony and evidence is submitted to a hearing officer who will determine whether you can drive again. If you have an attorney, he or she can make opening and closing arguments. This is your lawyer’s chance to make a compelling, cogent argument on your behalf. Further, your attorney will ask you questions so that you can testify about why you should be allowed to drive. The hearing officer will also question you. Your lawyer will submit all of the supporting evidence such as your treatment records, Alcoholics Anonymous sign-in sheets, letters of sobriety and your substance abuse evaluation.

Now let’s focus on something critical to your success: Your testimony in front of the hearing officer.
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