To learn how we can represent you in your driver’s license restoration case in Michigan, please call or e-mail to arrange a free consultation and case evaluation.
Driver’s License Restoration in Michigan is one of the most specialized — and growing — areas of law. Look in the telephone book or on the Internet: there are only a handful of criminal defense lawyers in Michigan who even attempt to handle this complex yet important area of law.
In contrast, our firm handles hundreds upon hundreds of license restoration cases, and we have a long and proven track record of restoring licenses for Michigan drivers and out-of-state holders alike.
Every driver values and needs a driver’s license. If you have lost yours, call a firm that is experienced in these appeals. If you are simply ineligible, we will honestly tell you. If, however, we can win back your license, perhaps saving your job and your financial future in the process, we will discuss the procedure and how we will expertly handle your case.
We appear at all Secretary of State locations throughout Michigan. To order your driving record or for more information, visit a local SOS branch or see www.Michigan.gov/sos.
To speak with us about your Michigan driver’s license suspension, contact Geherin Law Group by phone or e-mail — or learn more at www.MILicenseLawyer.com.
All too often, driver’s license suspension attorneys in Michigan try to “dabble” in license restoration work, and simply do not have the expertise and knowledge necessary to help. In many occasions, these same attorneys do not even prepare their clients to testify until the date of the hearing itself! At GLG, we take a hands-on approach to license restoration cases, and keep you advised every step of the way.
We know the process, we appear before the judges, and we understand that the road to success requires intensive preparation. In short, because our lawyers recognize how important a driver’s license is to a client, we work as hard as we can to get back his or her driving privileges.
If you live out-of-state, and cannot get licensed in that state because of a past Michigan revocation, we can help. We have successfully removed “holds” for countless out-of-state residents. There are various paths to get your Michigan revocation or hold removed, and we would be happy to discuss them with you in a free telephone consultation.
If you have been convicted of multiple drunk driving or substance abuse cases, your Michigan license has likely been revoked. This means you must apply for the return of your license, and must jump through several “hoops” to have a chance for its return.
For the majority of cases, this application process goes through the Michigan Secretary of State, not through the courts. This means you are subject to all of Ann Arbor and Lansing’s red tape and regulations. Finding an experienced driver’s license restoration attorney in Michigan to help can mean the difference between driving again and waiting another grueling year to begin the application process anew.
Our Ann Arbor license suspension attorneys consult with you to outline every step of this complicated process. We provide you with outlines, forms, and referrals to begin the application procedure. We thoroughly prepare you for testifying at the hearing. And most important, we appear with you at the hearing and fight alongside you to have your license restored.
If you allegedly refused a police officer’s request for a blood or breath test in a drunk driving arrest, your license may be suspended for one year. This is called an Implied Consent Refusal. We can help you fight this suspension at the Secretary of State, and have handled many, many Implied Consent Hearings throughout the State of Michigan.
As a worst-case scenario, if your license has been suspended for such an alleged refusal, we can seek restricted driving privileges (i.e., to/from work) from Circuit Court judges.
If you have simply accumulated too many points on your driving record from civil infractions, your license may be suspended or revoked. In this scenario, we can help you with a hardship appeal or re-examination proceeding to gain back your full or restricted driving privileges.
Frequently, people who lose their licenses drive anyway, and face Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) or Driving While License Revoked (DWLR) charges if stopped by police.
Some judges impose jail time for this misdemeanor, and repeat offenses can result in loss of your vehicle, increased jail time and fines, and lengthy probation. In addition, your license will likely be re-suspended or revoked for a longer period of time, and you will be in a perpetually worse situation.
Finally, if you injure or kill someone while DWLS, you will face the prospect of prison. If you are charged with DWLS or DWLR, we can defend you in court and work to reduce, dismiss, or negotiate the case to protect your freedom and preserve your driving privileges.
Michigan’s restoration process involves strict rules, detailed evidence, and formal hearings before the Secretary of State. Many people have questions about eligibility, timing, and what the state requires. Below, our Ann Arbor law firm addresses some common concerns about driver’s license restoration and what you can expect as you work toward getting back on the road legally. Contact Geherin Law Group, PLLC today if you’re in Monroe or Washtenaw County and would like to speak with a defense lawyer about your case.
A license suspension temporarily removes your driving privileges for a specific period or until you complete certain requirements. A revocation completely terminates your license. Unlike with a suspension, you don’t automatically get your license back after a revocation period. You must formally apply for restoration and prove that you qualify first. If you’re not sure which applies to you, a lawyer can help you review your case carefully before you take your next steps.
Michigan law sets mandatory waiting periods before you can request a restoration hearing after a license revocation. If you receive two alcohol-related convictions within seven years, the Secretary of State will generally revoke your license for at least one year. If you receive three convictions within 10 years, the revocation period is typically at least five years. You can’t shorten these timeframes. Filing too early will result in an automatic denial and could delay your ability to reapply.
The Secretary of State requires specific documentation to even consider your appeal. You must gather and organize:
An attorney can help you gather and present these materials correctly, so you don’t have to stress about preventable administrative errors derailing your case.
In cases involving appeals for license revocation, Michigan requires you to prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that your alcohol or substance use problem is under control and likely to remain under control. That means you must show a legally sufficient period of abstinence and a genuine commitment to long-term sobriety.
A trusted defense law firm can help you build your case around this legal standard by evaluating your treatment history, reviewing your evaluation for accuracy, and preparing you to testify clearly.
A substance use evaluation is a clinical assessment that a licensed professional completes based on a form provided by the Michigan Secretary of State. It documents your diagnosis, substance use history, treatment record, testing results, and prognosis regarding your sobriety.
To complete the evaluation, you must provide accurate, consistent information about your history and recovery to the assessor. You’ll need to schedule the evaluation with a qualified provider, bring relevant treatment records, and review the final report carefully for errors before submitting it with your appeal.
No. In most cases, outstanding fines, court costs, or unresolved compliance issues will block your ability to apply for a restricted license or clearance. The Secretary of State doesn’t grant these privileges if holds remain on your record, such as those for failure to appear or failure to comply.
Before you file an appeal, you’ll need to resolve every outstanding issue tied to your driving record. That may include paying fines, completing probation terms, or addressing any court-related holds.
If the Secretary of State denies your appeal, you generally must wait one full year before reapplying. You can appeal the denial in circuit court, but that process involves different legal rules and strict deadlines.
An attorney in Ann Arbor can review your denial carefully to identify why the hearing officer rejected the case. Then, they can determine whether a court appeal makes sense or whether correcting weaknesses and filing a stronger new petition provides the better path forward.
To learn how we can represent you in your driver’s license restoration case in Michigan, please call or e-mail to arrange a free consultation and case evaluation.
