The reduction in traffic during the worst of the pandemic was truly dramatic. Roads in Michigan were quieter than ever as drivers stayed home according to state rules. It’s a sight many of us will never forget. It is time to focus your attention towards the importance of finding an experienced lawyer to defend your case in these trying times
Today, all that has changed, and more drivers are out and about getting back to their jobs, schools, shopping, and entertainment.
With businesses reopening and the state getting back to some normalcy, you may be wondering how to get your license unsuspended in Michigan in order to return to your own job and everyday life. The importance of finding an experienced lawyer to defend your case in these trying times can’t be overstated.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in several changes in the Michigan judicial system, including how court cases are handled and how quickly cases go through the court system.
The Coronavirus Pandemic & DUI Court Cases: Then
Just like virtually everything else, the court system in Michigan was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in numerous ways, and some of these issues continue to linger.
The state of Michigan made several recommendations when the pandemic first began in the spring of 2020. At that time, Michigan legislators said that courts should make a good faith effort to conduct various court-related matters using interactive video technology if possible.
The state of Michigan noted that the COVID-19 pandemic presented a particularly significant risk to incarcerated individuals, who might not be able to social distance, regularly wash their hands, or quarantine if necessary. The same risks applied to attorneys, law enforcement officers, jurors, defendants, and judges as well.
All of this resulted in a backlog of cases and made it more difficult for residents to take care of legal matters. Specifically, individuals who were trying to get their licenses unsuspended in Michigan may have faced greater challenges than they did before the pandemic.
The Coronavirus Pandemic & DUI Court Cases: Now
Today, nearly all of the restrictions have been lifted in Michigan in general. As of June 26, more than 51 percent of all Michigan residents have been fully vaccinated and more than 60 percent have at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
However, the courts plan to continue some of the safety measures until they can complete what they are calling a “phased approach” for returning to normalcy. These safety measures include the continued use of face masks in most cases, social distancing, and handling cases remotely when possible.
The Michigan Supreme Court’s June 2021 “Return to Full Capacity” document states the following:
“While our trial courts must follow (national and state) guidance, we understand that each jurisdiction is uniquely positioned to address local COVID-19 challenges based on proximal concerns and available resources. As a result, each chief judge must rely on public health information from local authorities to inform decisions on operational status of their courts. Ultimately, by using the phased approach …, courts statewide will return to full capacity on their own timelines. …
“‘Full capacity’ in 2020 means something different than in prior years and will require a culture shift in the judiciary based on advancements in court technology and remote work capacity achieved during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In that time, the number of Zoom licenses doubled to more than 1,000 as additional Zoom licenses were distributed to courts across the state, ensuring virtual capacity in every jurisdiction.
“Consequently, conducting virtual proceedings should be a continued fixture in court planning. This can mitigate exposure risks, while increasing court access to the attorneys, the parties, and the public.
“Although there will be a time when litigants and the public can return to the courtrooms for more proceedings, we must change our philosophy and only require attendance when absolutely necessary. Each court’s plan and definition of ‘full capacity’ should take advantage of technology to the extent possible under current administrative orders.”
Furthermore, due to the difficulty of determining who is vaccinated and who is not, the courts continue to require visitors, jurors, and attorneys to wear masks when entering the buildings. The judge may determine if an attorney can remove the mask in order to speak audibly.
Employees who are not vaccinated also must continue to mask up.
Importance of Finding an Experienced Lawyer to Defend Your Case for a License Reinstatement
Despite many positive trends, court cases continue to progress slower than they did before the pandemic began.
What does all this mean for you?
It means if you need to get your license unsuspended in Michigan, you will have to account for additional time for the case to proceed through the court system. It also reinforces the importance of finding an experienced lawyer to defend your case for a license reinstatement, specifically one who is aware of the effect that the pandemic has had on the process.
Contact me if you need more information about current standards regarding the handling of license reinstatement cases. The sooner you begin the process of getting your license unsuspended in Michigan, the sooner you may be able to get back to business and back to normal.