Find a brief description of each Driver’s License Restoration hearing officer in Michigan, emphasizing the importance of either a single form of evidence (e.g., letters, evaluations) or the overall requirement for understanding what is necessary for this process.
A hearing officer of more than two decades, Hearing Officer Clover is all about the details. While, like his fellow hearing officers, he focuses on the entire array of documents submitted by an applicant for their hearing, he assigns considerable weight to the letters of support. These letters are, in essence, a form of witness testimony, and he wants to hear what others are saying about the applicant seeking to restore or expand their driving privileges. It is well-advised that any applicant has a substantial cross-section of their community reflected in the letters submitted for their case.
Hearing Officer Harmon-Higgins brings a sense of fairness to every case, but do not mistake his fairness for his willingness to accept excuses for the behavior that landed you before him. He wants to give each applicant the opportunity to prove themselves to the state, but only if they can demonstrate that they have taken the necessary steps to address past concerns with their present behavior and future plans. Do not come into this process without knowing exactly what you are expected to prove to the state and how to go about that doing that.
Hearing Officer Longman is a man of discipline and a hearing officer who expects any applicant who appears before him to have that same discipline. He focuses on the biological and physiological aspects of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction in determining whether an applicant is an acceptable risk for restoration or expansion of driving privileges. His reliance on the Substance Use Evaluation and all supporting documentation is paramount. The Substance Use Evaluation is the foundation for all remaining documents, so getting that right is crucial to the success of your case.
As one of the longest serving hearing officers, Hearing Officer Mayfield has seen and heard it all, but one thing he never gets tired of hearing about – an applicant’s Sobriety Plan. One thing he asks about in every hearing is what an applicant has, is, and will do to 1) support, 2) protect, and 3) continue their sobriety. Simply put, “white knuckling” your sobriety will not work with this hearing officer. Applicants must put in the necessary work to maintain their sobriety and be prepared to demonstrate that effort.
Hearing Officer Modelski takes an applicant at their word, so it is advised that an applicant knows what to say at their hearing. While he sometimes imparts humor into his questioning, he is always serious about the job he must do. He is fair in his decision-making, as long as an applicant is credible and sincere in their testimony. He has been a hearing officer for a long time, so he knows how to spot applicants who are trying to game the system. It is imperative to a successful case that what an applicant testifies to matches what the submitted documents say.
Hearing Officer Bowers is one of the newer hearing officers, but she has quickly established herself as a hearing officer who is very fair and equitable in her decision-making. She is open to letting an applicant share their story and talk about the changes they have made and continue to make in their sobriety journey. She sometimes offers helpful suggestions if she thinks they may be of assistance to a particular applicant. While this process can, at times, be adversarial, she can make an applicant feel that she is working with them to get them back on the road as soon as possible.
Hearing Officer Coscarelli brings a background in private practice, which has helped her navigate the evidentiary requirements associated with each case. Most cases not only require extensive documentation, but many of those cases also involve hearings that necessitate detailed testimony on specific issues. She must be able to distinguish what is and what is not relevant in making her decision for each applicant who appears before her. These decisions affect all drivers and passengers on Michigan’s roadways, so it is vitally important that she makes the right decisions in these cases.
Hearing Officer Phillips is no-nonsense, often letting attorneys and applicants know exactly what she is thinking on a particular case. She is always very clear about things that concern her and those that put her mind at ease. There is never any question as to how she arrived at her decision upon reading her order. Sometimes, reading an order denying an applicant’s appeal is the applicant’s best piece of information for their next attempt at the hearing process. Clarity is vital in this process, both from the applicant and the hearing officer.
A newer hearing officer, Hearing Officer Shamus, offers a listening ear and an easy rapport with all applicants and attorneys who appear before her. Even though she is the “opposition,” it never comes across that way. There is no judgment coming from her; only questions are posed to gather the information she needs to make her decision. She offers a comfortable environment and an understanding presence, even while addressing some very serious and often uncomfortable topics. Conducting every hearing like a conversation between colleagues, she earns the respect of both applicants and attorneys, which makes for a smoother process for all involved.
Hearing Officer Soma, a former prosecutor, understands the importance of proving each element of a case and meeting the required burden of proof. This serves her very well as a hearing officer, because each applicant has elements of a case to prove and a burden to meet. Failure to do so, and an applicant’s case never gets off the ground. By knowing the importance of this burden and what is needed to meet it, she knows that she is making the best decision for each case that comes before her. She is also willing to offer some friendly advice to applicants who she feels may need a little extra guidance in their sobriety journey.