Michigan Driver License Restoration Lawyer – Get Your License Back!

If you are in Michigan and have a revoked driver’s license due to two or more alcohol or drug releated-driving convictions, you need a Michigan driver’s license restoration lawyer. If you are sick of depending on other people for rides and not being able to legally drive, contact William Barnwell of Barnwell law today to for a driver’s license restoration case evaluation.

Am I Eligible?

As a Michigan Driver License Restoration lawyer based out of Macomb County, I get many calls from people who have a revoked license and want to get it back. I turn down most of these cases.

Why?

Because most have no chance to get it. Taking their money would be unethical. I only take these cases when there is a substantial likelihood of success. While no attorney can guarantee a result in any case, including that you can get your driver’s license restored, there are ways I can immediately weed out most prospects.

As a starter, only people who have maintained a period of complete sobriety for at least a year (and for all practical purposes, usually quite a bit longer). Complete sobriety and abstinence from alcohol and controlled substance means just that — complete and total. If you have even had a sip of alcohol in the past year, you are not ready to go before the Secretary of State. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not being honest with you. If, however, you have achieved a period of complete sobriety and recovery from alcohol, and you are ready to take states to get your driver’s license restored, now is the time to call William Barnwell of Barnwell Law.

What Is The Process?

To get your driver’s license back after being revoked for drunk driving offenses (from either drugs or alcohol), you have to have a Driver License Restoration Hearing. This is through the Administrative Hearing division of the Michigan Secretary of State. These cases are decided by one of eight “Hearing Officers”. Each Hearing Officer has their own style, quirks, likes and dislikes. A hearing has to be requested through the Secretary of State. This is easiest to do through a lawyer to ensure there is not a snag or imperfection with the paperwork that could be fatal to your case.

Each hearing is going to require specific documents such as:

  • A Substance Use Evaluation (Commonly called a Substance Abuse Evaluation) by a licensed and qualified evaluator.
  • A 12-panel drug screening
  • Letters of support from a cross-section of your community demonstrating that you are sober and abstinent.
  • Other supporting documentation that provides evidence of sobriety.

The mistake many people make who call this office is that they simply think they are eligible whenever their original revocation letter says that they are eligible for a hearing. But it’s not as simple as waiting for that time period, and setting a hearing, and politely asking for your license back. License restoration is tough. The law requires that a Petitioner demonstrate by “clear and convincing evidence” that:

  • The petitioner’s alcohol or substance abuse problems, if any, are under control and likely to remain under control
  • That the risk of the petitioner repeating his or her past abusive behavior is a low or minimal risk.
  • That the risk of the petitioner repeating the act of operating a motor vehicle while impaired … is a low or minimal risk.
  • And that the petitioner has the ability and motivation to drive safely and within the law.

As you can see, it’s not enough just to be eligible based on when you can apply for a hearing. Applying for a hearing makes no sense unless an applicant can put forth clear and convincing evidence that the above elements are met. If any of those elements are not met, the Hearing Officer will deny you the ability to get back on the road. Clear and Convincing Evidence is the standard of proof just below Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. And if a Petitioner falls short, generally they have to wait an entire year before they can even re-apply.

Don’t Try to Restore Your Driver’s License By Yourself!

A big mistake people make is trying to go it alone with their driver license restoration hearings. While it’s true you don’t technically need an attorney for a Michigan license restoration, trying to save a few bucks now will cost you a lot more time and money later on. Missing paperwork can keep you from even getting a hearing. Emphasizing the wrong things in your letters or paperwork, or failing to demonstrate true evidence of sobriety, will result in a certain denial.

William Barnwell of Barnwell Law will guide you through your Michigan license restoration process by:

  • Ensuring you are truly eligible and have a chance to succeed and truly eligible, and not wasting your money
  • Helping you gather the necessary paperwork and documentation and ensuring it is done correctly
  • Coaching you through the documentation and license restoration process.
  • Submitting documentation on your behalf that goes above and beyond the bare minimum required
  • Tailoring your presentation to the specific Hearing Officer who will be assigned to your case.
  • Arguing your case before the Hearing Officer to show that the legal requirements have been met to get you back on the road.

Driver License Restoration Results

William Barnwell of Barnwell Law is based in Warren and Macomb County, Michigan. However, he has helped people throughout the State of Michigan get back on the road, including throughout Metro-Detroit and beyond. Don’t go it alone when trying to get back your driver’s license, and don’t hire an attorney who is inexperienced with Michigan driver’s license restoration cases. It is not simply enough to have an attorney submit documents and show up for a hearing.

The planning for the case, the guidance of the case, the correct submissions for the case, tailoring the case to your specific Hearing Officer, and more are necessary for success. You need an attorney who knows how precise the process is and has experience getting results for clients

Call William Barnwell To Get Your License Restored Today!

William (Bill) Barnwell of Barnwell Law can be reached day or night. He will make sure you are eligible before you spend your hard-earned money. Once your eligibility has been determined he will make sure your case is presented correctly to help ensure that the high burden of proof is met before the Secretary of State for your Michigan driver’s license restoration. Call Bill today at (810) 394-2952 and start your path to getting back on the road.

Client Reviews

Call him. Day or night, he actually answers. And he personally will fight your case. Not pass it off to someone else who won't return your calls once you hire them, like so many other law firms. Great results!

Cheryl T.

Excellent attorney. Fights hard for all his clients and produces results. Not only knows his stuff but you can tell cares about all his clients and sees them as real people and worth fighting for.

Jake A.

Absolutely amazing. Bill goes above and beyond for his client. I have been blessed to have had him by my side and would definitely recommend him to anyone needing legal counsel.

Jamie N.

I contacted Bill Barnwell personally, spoke with him and hired. He represented me in a domestic violence case. I felt that the accusations on me we're incorrect. Bill was able to have the case dismissed with no key...

Matt

Mr. Bill Barnwell is by far the Best Attorney I have ever had the luxury of representing me. He was very persistent and persuasive to the point of me only serving 12 days in county on a 4th Habitual felony of violation...

Joseph

Bill was extremely helpful, from the beginning of my initial consultation through my appearance in front of the judge. I was charged with a misdemeanor in Highland Park while on vacation from a different state. I had no...

Kevin

Mr. Bill Barnwell assisted me through a pretty scary situation where I had a person harass/stalk me. Mr. Barnwell was very empathetic and helpful. After dealing with police, detectives, different attorneys and judges...

Jessica

Receiving an OWI ticket with a .15 bac from a State police officer on I-696 was something I wasn't ready for. It was also written on the ticket that I was speeding more than 15mph over the speed limit. The officer didn't...

Jeff

I hired Bill for a felony case on which I wrongly accused and my rights were violated. Mr. Barnwell fought this charge tooth and nail and I am happy to say all charges were dismissed. His dedication for his clients...

Erica

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