Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Michigan driver’s license reinstatement attorneys realize that nearly anyone can have his/her driver’s license suspended once or twice – but 26 times, when an individual is only 23 years old? This is exactly what seems to be the case with a South Florida man, who authorities discovered had his license suspended 26 times while running multi-agency DUI checkpoints in Miami Beach on Friday evening, May 8.
According to news reports Local10.com and Random Pixels, 23-year-old Kiarri Tommy Lee Cook was discovered to have had his license suspended more times than he is old in years after officers ran a records check on him at a DUI checkpoint. Officers said Cook is what is referred to as a habitual traffic offender, or H.T.O. In Florida, it is considered a felony to continue to drive knowing that your license has been suspended, particularly when someone repeats this behavior multiple times. Police also found marijuana in Cook’s glove compartment.
Cook claimed when interviewed by Local 10 News reporter John Turchin that he did not know his driver’s license was suspended. State records also indicate his license had been revoked for four years.
When asked by Turchin how he could not know his license was suspended all of those 26 times, Cook replied “How would you know?” He eventually claimed he was being antagonized after becoming agitated with the questioning.
Cook has been arrested in the past on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, trespassing, and most recently aggravated battery resulting in bodily harm and aggravated assault with a firearm, according to Local 10. Records indicate he has had many run-ins with the law.
Having a driver’s license suspended 26 times is certainly unusual. However, it is not unusual for an individual’s license to be suspended when he/she is arrested for DUI, a drug charge, failing to pay child support, multiple traffic tickets/infractions, and other reasons. Not having the privilege to drive can have a much greater impact on most people’s lives than they can first imagine.
If your driver’s license has been suspended, the most important step you can take in order to get back on the road legally is to work with a skilled Michigan driver’s license restoration lawyer who is skilled and has a winning track record when it comes to DLAD (Driver’s License Appeal Division) hearings.