Affordable and Effective DAAD/DLAD License Restoration
Losing a first DAAD (DLAD) hearing is NOT necessary, and winning, even at the first hearing, is possible. License reinstatement following multiple DUI or OWI convictions is complex.
If your appeal is done right, you have a great chance of winning the first time!
You may have heard that a “driver’s license is a privilege, not a right.” The “privilege argument” is far from the truth. The right to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways is a right, but not an unlimited or unrestricted one. Because the government cannot permanently deprive citizens of the right to drive, an “indefinite” suspension must have a corresponding right to reinstatement. If your license is suspended and you have questions about getting your driving rights reinstated, you are probably wondering about the cost to get your license reinstated.
Reinstatement of Driving Rights Following a Non-Indefinite Suspension
If you are not indefinitely suspended, your license will be automatically reinstated after the suspension period ends and the reinstatement fee is paid. Check with the Michigan Department of State at any local branch office, and they can tell you when you are eligible to drive again. MDOC has indefinitely suspended your license if the suspension was due to a second alcohol or drug-related driving conviction within seven years or a third within 10 years.
Reinstatement of Driving Rights Following an Indefinite Suspension
What about if MDOC indefinitely suspended you due to two (2) alcohol or drug-related driving convictions within seven (7) years or three (3) convictions within 10 years? The process is much more complicated if you have been classified as a “habitual drunk driver.” One of the primary questions people ask us is about the cost of getting your license reinstated in Michigan following an indefinite suspension.
After a person becomes eligible for reinstatement following an indefinite suspension, there is a clearly defined path toward reinstatement. Although the path is clearly set forth by Michigan law, navigating the path is tricky and, when not traversed by an expert, usually fails. The first (and hopefully last) step is a hearing before the DAAD (Drivers Assessment and Appeal Division), formerly known as the DLAD (Driver’s License Appeal Division). Essentially you have to prove to a hearing officer, by clear and convincing evidence, that any substance-related issue that exists is under control and likely to remain under control. The petitioner requesting reinstatement must overcome this burdensome standard and call witnesses, present evidence, and testify at the hearing.
The way letters are written, testimony is presented, and alcohol evaluations are drafted is critical and highly complex. This is where the cost to get your license reinstated becomes an issue, and a petitioner must ask themselves two questions:
- What is the cost of hiring a good lawyer?
- What is the cost of NOT hiring a good lawyer?
Cost of a Good Lawyer to Help With License Reinstatement
Costs vary greatly between lawyers, and the adage, “You get what you pay for,” is generally true in this regard. Lawyers will charge fees commensurate with their experience, track record of success, and reputations for winning these hearings. The cost of not hiring a good lawyer and losing must be considered when choosing between lawyers. If you hire a lawyer who is not an expert in handling these cases, you may be stuck waiting one or more years before you can appeal again. When you appeal again, you will be stuck dealing with the old letters, substance abuse evaluations, and prior testimony that caused you to lose in the first place.
The lesson to be learned is that if you are going to fight to get your license reinstated, fight to win! Cutting corners or taking for granted that evidence is sufficient is likely a fatal mistake that will make winning in the future much more difficult. An experienced, successful lawyer gives you the greatest possible chance of winning.
The Costs to Get Your License Reinstated Goes Up After a Loss
If you or your lawyer did a poor job at the DLAD hearing, you might have to wait at least another year to appeal to the Michigan Department of State again for reinstatement.
If there was a decent record or even a good record and you still lost, you can appeal to the Circuit Court for the county of your residence. The circuit court judge will have the power to reverse the DLAD hearing officer’s decision and order full reinstatement or order restricted driving privileges. Obviously, there is an increased cost to get your license reinstated if you have to hire a lawyer for a circuit court appeal, so the goal is to win the hearing at the DLAD the first time!
The Bottom Line Regarding the Cost to Get Your License Reinstated in Michigan
The cost to get your license reinstated in Michigan when you hire a great DLAD lawyer is lower than the cost of going forward alone or with a bargain attorney and then having to go through the appeal process, subsequent DLAD hearings, and the inability to get to work. This is not to mention the risk and cost of future convictions for Driving While License Suspended, resulting in years of additional costs, denials, and even incarceration.
Driver’s License Reinstatement Attorneys who are Experienced, Knowledgeable, and have a Track Record of Success
The attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have decades of experience winning DLAD hearings and appeals to circuit courts. Most of our victories are first appeals to the DLAD! Although we do charge fees based on our training, experience, and well-earned reputation for successfully handling these cases, you will be treated fairly, and we work very hard to make our representation affordable for you.
If you would like to talk with an experienced driver’s license reinstatement attorney, please call LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. today. We will take the time to speak with you, answer your questions, and address your concerns. Together, we will develop a winning strategy.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you.
We Are Not Afraid to Win!
