Grand Rapids Lawyers Helping Drivers To Restore Their Licenses
Many people do not truly value their ability to drive until they have been stripped of their driving privileges. Driver’s licenses can be revoked for many reasons, but the most often seen reason for revocation is for convictions of two or more OWIs/DUIs. Whatever the reason, having your license taken away will greatly impact your ability to get to and from work, live your normal life, see your family, and attend appointments or substance abuse counseling.
At McDonald Pierangeli Macfarlane, PLLC, we are experienced defense attorneys who understand the driver’s license appeals process in Michigan. We commit ourselves to fight for drivers who are seeking to have their license restored. Since opening more than 20 years ago, we continue to be the “go-to attorneys” for those who want dedicated representation and one-on-one attention.
Understand the Driver’s License Appeals Process
All license revocations in Michigan are for a minimum amount of time. Typically, a first revocation is for at least one year. Once that time has passed, you may be eligible to apply to the Secretary of State Driver Assessment and Appeal Division (DAAD) to have your license restored.
The reason that driver’s license appeals are so frustrating and that so many people are unsuccessful on their own is that the burden is on you to prove that your substance abuse problems (if any) are under control, that you have abstained from alcohol and controlled substances, that the risk of repeating your past abusive behavior is minimal, that the risk of repeating the act of OWI is low or minimal, and that you have the ability and motivation to drive safely and within the law. If you fail to prove any of these things or give the hearing officer any reason to doubt that you are now completely sober and will remain so, you will not likely get your license back. This is why proper and meticulous preparation is so crucial to having success.
The application process generally involves filling out the application, obtaining a drug screen, completing a substance abuse evaluation, providing an ignition interlock final report, providing evidence of support such as AA sign-in sheets, and perhaps most importantly, obtaining documentation of sobriety. While at first glance the process may seem fairly straightforward, there are a great many pitfalls that can be made. There are strict time requirements for all of the documents and failing to accurately or completely meet the requirements can result in a denial.
Once your application has been submitted, the DAAD will schedule a time for your appeal hearing in front of a DAAD hearing officer. Adequately preparing for the hearing is one of the most crucial steps and cannot be overstated. At your hearing, the hearing officer will ask you many very difficult questions and your ability to answer them competently and truthfully will make or break your appeal.
If you are serious about getting your license back, having an experienced attorney to guide you through the process is well worth the investment. We will ensure that you are eligible for reinstatement, guide you through the application process, assist you in obtaining the necessary documentation, thoroughly prepare you for your appeal hearing, and aggressively advocate for you at the hearing.
Call us today at 616-426-9609 or send us a message to request a consultation