Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
According to an article at Cincinnati.com, more than a quarter of the 85,000 parents with child support cases cannot drive now because their driver’s licenses have been suspended. In Hamilton County, it is reported that 23,541 licenses have been suspended due to non-payment of back child support. This is a record high, according to the article.
Moira Weir, Director of the Department of Jobs and Family Services, said that this is a last resort in an attempt to get parents’ attention, and get them paying the child support they owe.
Suspensions over the past five years have increased by 50%, partially due to the department becoming more efficient when it comes to tracking down parents who owe child support, according to spokesmen for the department Brian Gregg. Another reason for the increase is that the department has lowered the threshold from not paying the full child support amount for a 90 day period, to not paying half of amount due for 90 days.
In the state of Michigan, an individual’s license may be suspended for failure to pay child support. However, the primary reason that Michigan residents have their driver’s licenses suspended or revoked is due to DUI convictions. Driving under the influence may involve alcohol or drugs, as either can impair a motorist’s ability to safely operate a vehicle, putting his or her own life at risk as well as others on the roadways.
A license may be suspended for 30 days or longer, depending on the seriousness of the offense. In most cases, the person’s license is fully restored once the suspension period has passed. However, many people cannot make it for 30 days, 90 days, or longer without the ability to drive because of work, school, and other reasons. In these circumstances, you may want to get a restricted license that will allow you to drive only to and from specific destinations such as work.
A revoked license is a much more serious issue; in fact, an individual’s license may be revoked for life. In any case, having a suspended or revoked license restored usually requires a hearing before the DLAD, or Driver’s License Appeal Division of the Secretary of State’s office. These hearings are far from easy to win, and truthfully, quite difficult and complex.
In any event, when your license has been suspended or revoked due to multiple DUI’s, civil infractions (too many tickets), points on your record, or child support, it is to your advantage to work with a highly skilled and dedicated Michigan driver’s license reinstatement attorney with a proven track record. Your privilege to drive is important; put your case in capable hands.