Drivers License Reinstatement Successes

DRIVERS LICENSE RESTORATION CASES –HIGHLIGHTS OF A FEW RECENT WINS

CASE NUMBER 1 - GLENN

Problem: Glenn’s drivers license was revoked because of two prior drunk-driving convictions.

Glenn was still on probation for his second drunk-driving conviction. This presented a significant hurdle. Many petitioners seeking their drivers license who are still on probation or who were recently on probation lose their request for a drivers license. Why? Because sometimes hearing officers don’t give you credit for sobriety time while you are also on probation. Hearing officers use the rationale that you are not exercising free will while on probation.

Thus, the challenge here was to build an extremely convincing case that Glenn’s drivers license should be restored so as to overcome any objection from the hearing officer concerning probation.

Result: After a lengthy hearing, I was able to convince the hearing officer to restore Glenn’s drivers license even though he was still on probation.

How did I win this case? As always, the first step was to conduct a very thorough interview. At the interview, I learned that Glenn had been sober for a year and a half, had completed outpatient therapy for alcohol abuse, and had attended AA for about a year and a half. Regarding AA, Glenn had completed 8 of 12 steps, had a sponsor willing to write a letter on his behalf and had gained significant insight into his condition by attending AA.

Further, Glenn had a very good job and coworkers were willing to write letters on his behalf testifying to his sobriety and his positive impact on the workplace. I also learned that Glenn had a strong support network through work, family, friends and his church. All of these individuals supported his sobriety.

My next step was to secure positive evidence to help win his case. A favorable substance-abuse evaluation was obtained showing that Glenn had no relapse history, had his alcohol problem under control and had an excellent prognosis for keeping his alcohol problem under control in the future. A negative-drug screen was also obtained. Next, seven letters of support were obtained from his coworkers, family, friends, church members and his AA sponsor. All of these letters were very specific in that Glenn had abstained from alcohol use for over a year and a half, had attended AA regularly, took AA very seriously and had progressed through step 8 of the 12 steps successfully. All of these individuals believed Glenn would abstain from alcohol use into the future and was a good risk for driving.

We next met to prepare his testimony in court and cross examination by the hearing officer.

At the hearing, I questioned Glenn first, followed by a cross examination from the hearing officer and then I questioned Glenn again. In short, my client testified that he:

1. had been sober for a year and a half
2. had attended AA and treatment
3. had found AA attendance very helpful for developing strategies for dealing with his alcohol problem
4. had not driven a car since his second DUI
5. had an extensive supportive network of family, friends, coworkers and church members who supported him in his efforts to abstain from drinking
6. and that if he were allowed to drive, it would allow him to make a greater contribution at work and possibly get promoted.

I next showed the hearing officer the substance-abuse evaluation, negative-drug screen, treatment records, AA sign-in sheets and letters of support.

After I questioned Glenn and introduced the favorable evidence, I argued that Glenn’s drivers license should be restored. The hearing officer agreed and restored Glenn’s driving privileges. My client’s driving privileges were restored despite the fact that he was still on probation. I believe that I was successful on his behalf because a meticulous, thorough, and compelling case was put together which overcame any objection the hearing officer may have had to the fact that my client was still on probation. Also, Glenn testified in a very straightforward and believable manner. I believe that this was, in part, a result of the preparation time we spent.

You can read what my client said about my efforts below in the following letter from Glenn.

CASE NUMBER 2 - JEFF

Problem: Jeff had a revoked driver’s license due to two prior alcohol/driving convictions. He had unsuccessfully tried to get his license back by representing himself at a previous driver’s license appeal hearing. Now he was looking for professional help to get him back on the road.

Result: I won the case for Jeff and he was granted driving privileges.

How was victory achieved? First, I conducted a very thorough interview. At the interview, I learned that Jeff had attended a significant number of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, obtained a sponsor at AA, and gained a lot of depth and understanding of his alcohol problem while attending AA. In addition, Jeff successfully completed an alcohol treatment program. I also learned that Jeff had been sober for over two years. During this period of sobriety, he had completed his education and obtained a new job.

The next step was to secure additional proof of sobriety and a professional opinion regarding Jeff’s likely continued sobriety. A favorable substance-abuse evaluation was obtained. A 10-panel drug screen was negative. Additionally, five letters from a cross-section of people established Jeff’s sobriety, life-affirming changes and likelihood that he would maintain sobriety in the future.

Before the hearing, I met Jeff for a thorough preparation of his testimony.

At the hearing, I questioned Jeff. He testified as to his sobriety and life changes that he had made such as completing his education and getting a new job. Additionally, I showed the hearing officer the substance abuse evaluation, 10-panel drug screen, employment records, AA attendance sheets, treatment records, letters of sobriety and an educational degree as proof of Jeff’s sobriety and continued likely sobriety. I then made the closing argument that my client should be allowed to drive again.

Bottom line: I was able to secure Jeff’s driving privileges.

CASE NUMBER 3 - Bill

Problem: Bill had a revoked license due to three prior drunk-driving convictions.

Result: I convinced the hearing officer to restore Bill’s driving privileges.

How did I win this case? First, I conducted a very thorough interview. This step is key to learning more about Bill, his sobriety and learning how I can maximize his chances of securing a drivers license. Second, I helped Bill obtain important information for the hearing such as: proof of AA attendance, alcohol treatment, and a professional evaluation that his alcohol problem was under control and would likely remain so into the future. Finally, I prepared Bill for his testimony in front of the hearing officer.

At the hearing, I submitted the following evidence to the hearing officer: letters of sobriety, a favorable substance-abuse evaluation of an alcohol problem in remission and a good prognosis for continued sobriety, a negative-drug screen, employment records demonstrating continuing employment with excellent reviews, AA sign-in sheets documenting continued attendance at AA for more than one year, and alcohol treatment records documenting successful completion of an alcohol treatment program.

At the hearing, when I questioned Bill, he responded convincingly. I also called a witness who testified favorably on Bill’s behalf. Upon completion of the testimony, I argued that Bill should be allowed to drive.

Once again, the hearing officer agreed and granted my request for driving privileges.

YOUR MICHIGAN DRIVER'S LICENSE REINSTATEMENT CASE

Does this mean I can guarantee that I will win your case? The short answer is: of course not. Why? In the legal system, there are no guarantees. Anyone who tells you your case is a “slam dunk” or a “sure thing” is flat out wrong and misleading you. There are no guarantees because every case is different and some cases are stronger than others. What I can tell you is that I will diligently work for you to maximize your chances for success in obtaining your driver's license. The testimonials and success stories give you a flavor of how I help my clients.

If you win your case for driver's license reinstatement, what can you expect? The hearing officer will grant you a restricted license for one year and you must install an alcohol ignition interlock device in your vehicle. A restricted license, for example, would allow you to travel to and from work. At the end of one year of successful driving, you will then be eligible for a full drivers license.