On May 15, 2024, Harris joined a Zoom call court hearing from his phone while he was behind the wheel. Since June 2023, Michigan’s “hands-free” state law makes it “illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic devices while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads.”
Presiding Judge J. Cedric Simpson straightforwardly asked the defendant, “Mr. Harris are you driving?” To which Harris replied, “Actually, I am pulling into my doctor’s office,” adding, “so just give me one second, I’m parking right now.”
Nearly a minute later, Harris informs the court that he is stationary.
After looking through the paperwork, which includes Harris’ record, Simpson says, “Okay, so maybe I don’t understand something, this is for driving while license suspended?”
“That is correct, your honor,” the defendant’s lawyer, Washtenaw County Assistant Public Defender Natalie Pate confirmed.
“And he was just driving. And he didn’t have a license,” Simpson said. He appears to smile and hold back a laugh.
Moments later, Simpson shook his head in disbelief, saying, “I don’t even know why he would do that. So, defendant’s bond is revoked in this matter.” He added that Harris must turn himself in to Michigan’s Washtenaw County Jail that evening.
C’mon, man, it would’ve been better to be late by a few minutes than to show yourself driving with a suspended license to the goddamn judge.
My favorite part is right after the judge says “and he was just driving, and he didn’t have a license,” when you can see the realization that he just incriminated himself (further) wash over Harris’ face. 🫤 😮 😬 “…oh.”
Actually, I’m thinking that face is the “what? It’s not a big deal” expression people have when they think they’re entitled and they just found out they’re not.
Apparently his license had been restored in 2022, but due to a clerical error it was still listed as suspended. That’s part of the reason for the hearing.
Incase anyone reading hasn’t heard yet: the dude never had a license. He had a “suspended license” but getting that doesn’t actually mean you ever had a real license. He’s also renewed his ID every year. He’s just never gotten his license for no good reason.
7 News Detroit asked Harris what was he thinking when he made his appearance in court via video where he was seen driving.
“What was I thinking? I was thinking about about getting my wife medical help. That’s what I was thinking,” Harris said. “I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I got a suspended license. I don’t care about all that.”
… Harris told us that he never should have been charged with driving on a suspended license last fall, and he blames the mix-up on Saginaw Friend of the Court.
“They were supposed to have been lifted it two years ago, but they didn’t,” Harris said.
Secretary of State records show Harris’ license was first suspended in 2010 for unpaid child support in Saginaw County.
Then in 2022, court records show that a judge rescinded that suspension, allowing Harris to drive again. But it appears that information never got to the Secretary of State where even as of Thursday afternoon, Harris’ license is still listed as suspended — the same records police and the judge were going by.
…“Always double-check behind these workers because they will say that they will do something and they don’t do it,” Harris said.
Wow… thanks for more context! So a state agency error results in the judge and prosecutor not having the correct information, but how does the defense attorney not look that up? Maybe overworked, but I would hope for more… And Harris should’ve spoken up himself that the suspension was lifted on this date by this agency! He could’ve also just said- I’m driving legally right now. That would have allowed the lawyers to look into it more.
It’s pretty damn hard, no doubt. But that doesn’t mean everyone should be able to drive by default and we should just do away with driver’s licenses (or whatever you may be suggesting)
Also, it’s pretty stupidly easy to get a license here, and easier yet to keep it.
if i’m suggesting anything it would be public transit.
if some guy is prohibited from driving but has no alternative to go to the doctor, he will just risk it and drive anyway. makong the punishment ineffective and possibly turning it into a snowball for the driver.
It very much is possible, and this coming from someone who walks with a cane.
That doesn’t excuse driving with a suspended license, unless you’re at the level of “Abolish driving licenses” Libertarian Party style; licenses are a basic safety precaution and suspending one is supposed to reinforce the seriousness of the offense of unsafe and illegal driving.
You can drive in the US without livestreaming it to your judge (shocking, I know).
or do you live somewhere with sidewalks and some level of public transit?
Fuck no.
Who asked for your judgement? Do you know why his license was suspended?
No, but the purpose of licensing and suspensions is to ensure safety on the road; “It was okay that he was driving on a suspended license because living in the US without driving is hard” completely ignores the point of licenses to begin with. If you’re a proponent of no licensing, then at least you’re consistent - if you aren’t, then this was still quite clearly a fucking stupid move on this guy’s part.
I had mine suspended once because I dared to buy car insurance in a different state than the car was registered. Does that make me an unsafe driver just because I didn’t know you had to register the cars before transferring insurance?
Yes, actually, since insurance is part of safety on the road, considering you’re driving a multi-thousand dollar (at minimum) piece of machinery with the speed and weight necessary to crush a human being like a bug if your attention is distracted at the wrong time, even if through no fault of your own. Most states mandate that your insurance, well, cover the car you’re driving in order to be allowed on the road.
While true it’s completely irrelevant to the question you’re answering.
Oh, in that case, I suppose the question I answered is also irrelevant to the original comment I fucking made, which was about not livestreaming breaking the law to your court appointment.
The question referred to the US as a whole. The specific state of Michigan was not a condition of the inquiry.
Do you know why his license was suspended? Surely, your situation was annoying and probably unnecessary. This does not mean that your situation applies to most license suspensions. On the contrary, most license suspensions are a result of reckless driving or other offenses.
People are allowed to insert additional irrelevant remarks as they please. This is a public online forum, not an institution or formal establishment. In the same way, I can tell you to get over yourself. Who asked for your judgement? Do you know exactly what the original commenter was looking for in a response?
You know what’s funny? You calling him dumb, when it was probably someone exactly like you, with your subpar reading and comprehension skills, that made the clerical error showing his license was still suspended when it had actually been restored.
I had to look up the first guy
C’mon, man, it would’ve been better to be late by a few minutes than to show yourself driving with a suspended license to the goddamn judge.
Watching his lawyer and the judge trying so hard not to laugh is the funniest goddamn thing.
Also these two:
My favorite part is right after the judge says “and he was just driving, and he didn’t have a license,” when you can see the realization that he just incriminated himself (further) wash over Harris’ face. 🫤 😮 😬 “…oh.”
Actually, I’m thinking that face is the “what? It’s not a big deal” expression people have when they think they’re entitled and they just found out they’re not.
Maybe. Either way, it’s comedy gold!
Is there a video? Preferably with Benny Hill theme song?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiB7u8-qRXE
Lmao the judge dropping pen 🤣
My favorite part is the “oh my god”
Apparently his license had been restored in 2022, but due to a clerical error it was still listed as suspended. That’s part of the reason for the hearing.
Incase anyone reading hasn’t heard yet: the dude never had a license. He had a “suspended license” but getting that doesn’t actually mean you ever had a real license. He’s also renewed his ID every year. He’s just never gotten his license for no good reason.
Maybe the guy just might be way too used to driving everywhere without thinking, almost like a muscle memory at this point.
Supposedly he was driving his wife to get some urgent care. I dunno what the facts are here, but yeah. Not the best look.
Think I heard about it here: https://www.wxyz.com/news/hear-from-the-man-caught-driving-during-virtual-court-hearing-for-suspended-license
Is there a source for that? I checked a few of the more recent articles and didn’t see anything.
https://www.wxyz.com/news/hear-from-the-man-caught-driving-during-virtual-court-hearing-for-suspended-license
Wow… thanks for more context! So a state agency error results in the judge and prosecutor not having the correct information, but how does the defense attorney not look that up? Maybe overworked, but I would hope for more… And Harris should’ve spoken up himself that the suspension was lifted on this date by this agency! He could’ve also just said- I’m driving legally right now. That would have allowed the lawyers to look into it more.
Where do you get that from?
See edit
Nothing in your link gives a sob story about a sick wife.
Never said that.
No he wasn’t.
on the other hand how is one supposed to live without being able to drive in the us?
It’s pretty damn hard, no doubt. But that doesn’t mean everyone should be able to drive by default and we should just do away with driver’s licenses (or whatever you may be suggesting)
Also, it’s pretty stupidly easy to get a license here, and easier yet to keep it.
if i’m suggesting anything it would be public transit.
if some guy is prohibited from driving but has no alternative to go to the doctor, he will just risk it and drive anyway. makong the punishment ineffective and possibly turning it into a snowball for the driver.
It very much is possible, and this coming from someone who walks with a cane.
That doesn’t excuse driving with a suspended license, unless you’re at the level of “Abolish driving licenses” Libertarian Party style; licenses are a basic safety precaution and suspending one is supposed to reinforce the seriousness of the offense of unsafe and illegal driving.
You can drive in the US without livestreaming it to your judge (shocking, I know).
deleted by creator
No.
Fuck no.
No, but the purpose of licensing and suspensions is to ensure safety on the road; “It was okay that he was driving on a suspended license because living in the US without driving is hard” completely ignores the point of licenses to begin with. If you’re a proponent of no licensing, then at least you’re consistent - if you aren’t, then this was still quite clearly a fucking stupid move on this guy’s part.
Yes, actually, since insurance is part of safety on the road, considering you’re driving a multi-thousand dollar (at minimum) piece of machinery with the speed and weight necessary to crush a human being like a bug if your attention is distracted at the wrong time, even if through no fault of your own. Most states mandate that your insurance, well, cover the car you’re driving in order to be allowed on the road.
Oh, in that case, I suppose the question I answered is also irrelevant to the original comment I fucking made, which was about not livestreaming breaking the law to your court appointment.
Weak-ass comment.
The question referred to the US as a whole. The specific state of Michigan was not a condition of the inquiry.
Do you know why his license was suspended? Surely, your situation was annoying and probably unnecessary. This does not mean that your situation applies to most license suspensions. On the contrary, most license suspensions are a result of reckless driving or other offenses.
People are allowed to insert additional irrelevant remarks as they please. This is a public online forum, not an institution or formal establishment. In the same way, I can tell you to get over yourself. Who asked for your judgement? Do you know exactly what the original commenter was looking for in a response?
Stfu :)
Even if he “had” to cheat and drive, he could’ve chosen to be like a minute later and call from anywhere except a driver’s seat of a moving vehicle.
yeah he could not have been dumb
You know what’s funny? You calling him dumb, when it was probably someone exactly like you, with your subpar reading and comprehension skills, that made the clerical error showing his license was still suspended when it had actually been restored.
Live in a 15-min city?
Push for more public transportation?
Millions do it all the time.
“Just move to another country”
Rare in the US
that was sort of my suggestion
The solution to your immediate personal problem is to work towards a cause I support.