| What is the Difference between a Suspension and | | | | addition to submitting a substance abuse |
| a Revocation? | | | | evaluation, we will help you get and select your |
| When your license is suspended, it has been taken | | | | 4-6 community support letters used by the State |
| away for a specific time period and will be | | | | to verify abstinence your from alcohol. |
| returned to you when the period is over and | | | | The same exact sobriety date must be explicitly |
| when you have paid the reinstatement fee. In | | | | stated in all letters, they must be notarized and |
| contrast, revocation means the permanent loss of | | | | must include specific information regarding your |
| both your driver's license and of the privilege of | | | | history concerning alcohol, past and present. The |
| operating a motor vehicle. After the minimum | | | | letters should come from a cross-section of the |
| period of revocation, (one year or five years) you | | | | persons' life. You should consider asking your |
| may re-apply for a license and try to prove that | | | | friends, family members, fellow AA members, |
| you will be a safe driver in the future. | | | | teachers, or co-workers to write letters for you. |
| License Appeal Hearings | | | | Our lawyers will help you make the best choices |
| Drivers who are aggrieved by a final decision of | | | | concerning which evidence to submit and which |
| the Sectary of State may request a Driver | | | | witnesses to call. Our lawyers will help you |
| License Appeal hearing. Administrative Law | | | | prepare all paperwork and filings concerning your |
| Examiners (Hearing Officers) conduct hearings | | | | Michigan restoration of driver's license case. You |
| throughout the state as authorized by MCL | | | | must bring documentation of participation in a |
| 257.322. Many hearings are conducted via video | | | | support group, such as AA. You should get an |
| conference equipment in accordance with | | | | attendance sheet as well as signatures from |
| Administrative Rule 257.304. The hearings for the | | | | members of your groups to support your DAAD |
| greater metro-Detroit area are typically held in | | | | hearing. |
| person, at the Livonia, Michigan branch. | | | | Preparation |
| These Hearing Officers preside over the following: | | | | Our lawyers will help you will make sure you are |
| Appeals from branch office application denials. | | | | prepared to testify by conducting a practice run |
| Driver Assessment actions. | | | | of the hearing in our offices, in order to review |
| Implied-consent hearings. | | | | and polish your anticipated testimony. Hearing |
| Appeals for license reinstatement following a | | | | officers look for consistent involvement in AA (i.e. |
| revocation for being a habitual offender with | | | | at least twice a week) for at least one year, or |
| multiple substance-abuse convictions. | | | | at a very minimum some involvement in a |
| Appeals for license reinstatement following a | | | | structured and consistent substance abuse |
| revocation for being a habitual criminal involving a | | | | counseling. You must be familiar with the 12 steps |
| motor vehicle. | | | | of AA, know the AA prayer and be familiar with |
| Appeals for license reinstatement following a | | | | the Big Book. Our lawyers will be there at the |
| conviction of murder, manslaughter, or negligent | | | | hearing, and will ask you the questions necessary |
| homicide with a motor vehicle. | | | | to establish your case, question witnesses to elicit |
| Appeals for license reinstatement following a | | | | favorable testimony, submit key evidence to the |
| conviction of causing the death or serious injury | | | | hearing officer, and argue on your behalf. |
| of another person while intoxicated or impaired by | | | | Hire the dedicated license restoration attorneys of |
| alcohol and/or drugs. | | | | the company. Your legal matter is important to |
| What do I need to show to get my license back? | | | | us, we strive to give you the proper legal advice |
| You need to provide documentation and | | | | and personal attention you should demand and |
| testimony to prove by "clear and convincing" | | | | deserve. |
| evidence that your alcohol problem is under | | | | If I win, will I get my license back? |
| control and likely to remain under control. Evidence | | | | Following a License Appeal hearing, a petitioner |
| that the likelihood that you will again drink and | | | | receives a written Order by mail. After conducting |
| drive is low or minimal, and be able to | | | | a hearing and reviewing the documentation |
| demonstrate that you have the ability and | | | | provided concerning your matter, the hearing |
| motivation to drive safely and within the law. You | | | | officer assigned to judge your case has three |
| must prove abstinence from alcohol for at least | | | | options. First, they can deny reinstatement |
| one full year. | | | | outright. Second, they may grant you a restricted |
| Remember, hearing officers have a tremendous | | | | license with or without an ignition interlock device. |
| amount of discretion when deciding your matter. | | | | Or third, they provide you a full restoration. What |
| Without us, or another competent attorney, you | | | | type of license is issued is completely dependent |
| run the risk of saying or doing the wrong thing, | | | | on the discretion of the hearing officer based on |
| increasing the length of your revocation. For this | | | | the evidence presented, and is all the more |
| reason, looking for an attorney who practices in | | | | reason to work with an attorney in preparing |
| this area of law is particularly helpful. | | | | your case. The order will specify the reasons(s) |
| How can we help you to get your drivers license | | | | why a licensing action was upheld, amended, or |
| back? | | | | denied. We are here to help you. Payment plans |
| Having an attorney present at your driver's | | | | are available, and as always you are under no |
| restoration hearing will always increase your | | | | obligation to retain our services, and our advice |
| chances of success. However, for our attorneys, | | | | during the consultation is free. |
| helping to get your license back is not just about | | | | What Happens if I Lose at the Hearing? |
| being present at the hearing. The company is | | | | If you are the victim of an adverse determination |
| involved in every aspect of the appeal process, | | | | by one of the Sectary of State's Hearing Officer |
| maximizing your chances of having your driver's | | | | you have three options. First, you may wait a |
| license returned. | | | | year until you are next eligible for a new hearing. |
| Key Evidence | | | | Your second option is to file a petition for a |
| Our lawyers will help you gather and sculpt key | | | | rehearing. Your third option is to appeal to the |
| evidence for your hearing such as- substance | | | | Circuit Court in the county where you reside, or in |
| abuse evaluations, substance abuse treatment | | | | the case of an Implied-consent appeal, in the |
| records, AA sign-in sheets, and letters of sobriety | | | | county of arrest. |
| from your family, friends, and co-workers. In | | | | |