Apparent mix-up snagged man driving in viral video during suspended-license hearing
Criminal Justice
Apparent mix-up snagged man driving in viral video during suspended-license hearing
June 3, 2024, 12:02 pm CDT
A video of a court hearing last month went viral after a Michigan judge appeared stunned that a man accused of driving without a license appeared for a Zoom hearing while behind the wheel. (Image from Shutterstock)
A video of a court hearing last month went viral after a Michigan judge appeared stunned that a man accused of driving without a license appeared for a Zoom hearing while behind the wheel.
But it turns out that the defendant, 44-year-old Corey Harris, could have had his license reinstated as a result of a judge’s order in January 2022, WXYZ reports here and here.
Harris’ license had been suspended for failing to pay child support. A judge rescinded that suspension more than two years ago, but the Michigan secretary of state’s office never received the clearance from the Saginaw County, Michigan, Friend of the Court, according to WXYZ.
The clearance would have allowed Harris to get his license reinstated after paying some fees.
The Friend of the Court investigates, makes recommendations and helps enforce orders in Michigan custody and child-support cases, according to this informational pamphlet.
Harris told WXYZ that the video was very embarrassing, considering his ties to the church and the community. He was taking his wife to the doctor when the video was recorded.
He also said he couldn’t figure out why he was charged because his license was supposed to have been reinstated two years ago.
Harris spent two days in jail after Judge J. Cedric Simpson of Ann Arbor, Michigan, revoked bond and ordered Harris to turn himself in.
