ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A Washtenaw County man had his bail revoked and was forced to turn himself in after he joined a video court hearing for reportedly driving with a suspended license while driving.
Update: Viral Michigan man didn’t have driver’s license suspended because he never had license to begin with
Corey Harris’ joined his May 15 court hearing from his driver’s seat, holding his cell phone and actively driving, violating Michigan’s hands-free driving law. He was charged in April after reportedly driving with a suspended license in Pittsfield Township.
When Harris joined the Zoom hearing, Judge Cedric Simpson immediately asked if he was driving. It was the first words out of his mouth.
“I’m pulling into my doctor’s office,” Harris replied. “Give me a second.”
It takes about a minute before Harris parks the vehicle.
After looking at the documents in front of him, Judge Simpson’s tone becomes more serious.
“Maybe I don’t understand something, this is for driving while license suspended?” he asks.
“That is correct, your honor,” replies Harris’ attorney, Natalie Pate.
“And he was just driving. And he didn’t have a license,” Simpson said.
“Those are the charges, your honor, yes,” Pate replies.
“No. I’m looking at his record. He doesn’t have a license. He’s suspended and he was just driving,” Simpson said.
“That is correct, your honor.”
“I don’t even know why he would do that,” Simpson said, shaking his head. “Defendant’s bond is revoked in this matter. The defendant must turn himself in to the Washtenaw County Jail by 6 p.m. Failure to turn himself in will result in a bench warrant with no bond.”
