Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Two weeks ago, 31-year-old Aaron Joseph Zvonek was driving his pick-up truck on SH-11 just north of US 64 in Alfalfa County when he was pulled over by an Oklahoma Highway patrol trooper who could not see his license plate.
According to Alva Review- Courier, Trooper Lisa Jorgensen pulled the pick-up over just before 10 p.m. on May 27. Upon requesting Zvonek’s driver’s license, she was presented with an Oklahoma ID card. Zvonek explained that he did not have a driver’s license. Jorgensen had the driver sit inside the patrol car while she ran a check on him.
Upon checking, Jorgensen found out that Zvonek’s driver’s license had actually been revoked. In the meantime, she noticed an odor of alcohol and questioned him regarding the amount he had drank. He replied that he had drank a few beer earlier. At this point, Jorgensen went to the passenger side of Zvonek’s truck and requested the passenger step out of the vehicle. Once she had a clear view into the truck, Jorgensen saw an open can of beer in the center console’s cup holder, and five cold beers remaining in a six pack of Bud Light. Zvonek would not take a breath test, but performed several field sobriety tests when requested by Jorgensen.
Ultimately, Zvonek was charged with DUI and driving while license is revoked. He was arrested and taken to the Alfalfa County Jail.
Michigan driver’s license reinstatement attorneys understand that in certain situations, an individual whose license has been revoked has no choice other than to drive, such as in a medical emergency. However, it is fairly clear that this was not the case with Mr. Jorgensen. Why do motorists take such dangerous risks? Consuming alcohol before or during driving and doing so with a revoked license only adds fuel to the fire.
In Michigan, the penalties for operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license are severe and include fines, jail time in some cases, and extension of the original length of suspension or revocation time. What is a bit ironic in this situation is that the driver was determined to be driving under the influence, one of the primary reasons drivers have their licenses suspended or revoked in the first place.
Why take the risk? Before deciding that you can get by with driving and not get caught, speak with a highly experienced Michigan driver’s license restoration lawyer with a 95% success rate at license restoration hearings.