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Questions Answered by Frank B. Ford
1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Can I dispute a ticket if an officer messed up and wrote the wrong ticket number
Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Oct 11, 2023

Not on that basis alone. That would be considered a "scrivener's error", like a typo, and irrelevant to the charge. However, that might be supporting evidence of the officer's inability to correctly observe and write up the violation, perhaps because the officer was tired or distracted.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: pulled over for speeding, cop gave me parking ticket instead.

i got pulled over for speeding but the cop gave me a break and instead of a speeding ticket i was given a ticket for double parking in the comment section the cop wrote 47 in a 35. my question is can i fight the ticket as a parking ticket or is there a loop hole that allows cops to give tickets for... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Jan 6, 2022

If you contest the double parking ticket, the officer can, and probably would, dismiss that ticket and write a new ticket for the full 47 in a 35. You say that the officer gave you a break, which apparently means you know you were speeding. Double parking doesn't go on your driving record,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Traffic Tickets and DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: If I ask for driving license hearing reconsideration, with new evidence, can I still appeal if they deny me again?

I’m in Michigan. I was previously granted my license then lost it to a technicality, had a breathalyzer in car and battery died which caused it to say I was tampering with it, I appealed that and won and was granted license back. Before my license paperwork came I drove stupidly for dr appt and... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on May 18, 2021

I doubt that they will allow you to have a reconsideration. But to answer your question, if they did give you a hearing for reconsideration and you again lost, you could still appeal to Circuit Court, if the situation falls within one of the limited circumstances in which an appeal to the court is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: The citation has my husband's info and he wasnt even with me when I got pulled over. Can I get this dismissed?

I was issued a citation for disobeying a traffic light. I was by myself. However when I got home and looked at the ticket it had all my husbands info on it. Like he issued him the ticket instead of me. Can we get this dismissed and does we both need to appear at court?

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Feb 16, 2021

The ticket can be dismissed in your husband's name and rewritten in your name. Your husband could go to court for a Hearing without you and ask the officer if he was who the officer stopped. Of course, the officer may not remember and say yes, anyway. If it is rewritten in your name, if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: I have a 3rd dui, will I do some jail time, during the Corona virus
Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Feb 9, 2021

IF you are convicted of an OWI 3rd, there is a mandatory 30 days jail, and it can be up to 5 years. Without knowing more, it is impossible to say if you will actually be convicted of that. If you are convicted of OWI 3rd, the Judge may not make you serve it right away, given the pandemic. Even... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Do I get points for a ticket marked as a civil infraction and a warning?

I got a ticket for failure to stop within assured clear distance which normally carries $125 fine and 2 points. The officer marked it as civil infraction and warning. Will I have to pay fine and get points still, or only pay the fine with no points, or neither??

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Sep 14, 2020

Since the ticket is marked as both a Civil Infraction and a Warning, you should assume it is a violation, and not just a Warning. It is rather confusing when an officer marks both boxes on a ticket. You can call the court to see if they have received the ticket, and if so, ask for a Hearing. If... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: speeding ticket for 100 mph in a 70 mph with wrong vehicle year and wrong Vin number

comments “left lane.”

Ticket was issued during rush hour it’s not physically possible to do 100 mph during rush hour

I watched the police officer look at my Vin number when I told him this is a new vehicle so he clearly knew that the Vin numbers did not match with what he put... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Jun 15, 2020

In general, errors of the type this officer made will not be enough to get a ticket dismissed, but if there are enough errors, and they are relevant enough, it does throw the officer's observations into doubt. I suggest you retain an attorney who handles a lot of traffic ticket cases in you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Can you get arrested for a bench warrant? If you go to pay a long over due fine (5+ years), will they arrest you?

The fine/ticket was for a cracked windshield and something to due with his car but he did not have money to pay in at the time so he did not pay the ticket. It has been over 5 years since he had a car now and he recently found out he had a bench warrant. He want to pay the money but wasn't... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on May 12, 2020

He may be taken into custody, probably briefly, to book him on the warrant, which will then clear the warrant and he can pay the fines. He needs to be sure he has enough money with him to pay the fine, the late fees, the reinstatement fee for his driver's license which is probably also going... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: One more question: What is the difference between Ordinance OWI and Statute OWI. Thank you for your information.
Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Apr 1, 2020

As Mr. Buehner states, the difference is in whether the case is being prosecuted by the local municipality's attorney, or by the county prosecutor's office. There are a few municipalities that have an agreement with their county to prosecute state law cases, but that is unusual. The... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: I was arrested for misdemeanor OWI in Michigan. What does it mean when ticket says this?

To the Court: Do not arraign on felony charge until an authorized complaint is filed.

1. 257.625 2.______________ 3. ________________

My ticket says Misdemeanor but why is there a code violation next to number 1 under felony statement?

Thank you Everyone

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Mar 30, 2020

That message is pre-printed on all Uniform Law Citations (tickets). If the box on your ticket is marked Misdemeanor, then the message about felonies doesn't apply to you. You would not be charged with a felony unless you have two prior driving under the influence convictions, or there was a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: If I just got a ticket in Detroit , 36th district, when will my court date be, the officer told me to show up in court

He told he would reduce my ticket for disregard a red light to impeding traffic, so no points

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Mar 17, 2020

The ticket has a date, or a certain number of days, in which to respond. It is inserted about three quarters of the way down the main part of the ticket. It is on a line that starts "Appearance date on or before _______" There should be a set of instructions that are titled "Civil... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes and Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: My son got pulled over and ticketed for no insurance. Is he going to get jail time ?

My son bought a truck in Wisconsin. He was under the impression from the man that it'd b fine 2 drive the truck home 2 Michigan from Wisconsin.& then insure & register it. Well he got pulled over on the way home. He got a ticket 4 no registrarion & no insurance. They marked the... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Mar 10, 2020

I doubt that he is going to get jail time. He needs to fully explain the circumstances of the incident when he sees the prosecutor and the judge. He should have a dated receipt for buying the truck, to show he had just bought the vehicle. He should have photos of it in its disassembled... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Ticket says speeding but officer told me impeding traffic

Hi, I got pulled over for speeding and the officer told me he wrote me up for impeding traffic so I don’t get points on my record, but in the ticket the charge still states speeding but he wrote impeding traffic in the comments section. He then said just let the court know it’s for impeding... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Jan 27, 2020

If it says Speeding, in the area on the ticket, right below where it says, In Violation of (probably Local Ordinance), then the charge is speeding, and the notation of Impeding Traffic in the remarks section is not controlling. If you just pay the ticket, you will be paying for a speeding ticket.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: I’m on probation for a dwi and was set to do 96 hrs of community service and cannot because of my job, can I pay a fine?
Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Jan 24, 2020

Normally you can't "buy" your way out of community service. A lot of courts look at community service as an alternative to giving a person time in jail, so they often see it like they have already given you a break by not putting you in jail. Talk with your probation officer and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Received a DWLS citation (MCL 257.9041B) BUT my licence was valid. Driving status was questionable. Now what?

Proved that I was valid driver within the ten days allotted. Arraignment was set anyway. At arraignment was told I had to set a pretrial confrence. Etc.....

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Nov 25, 2019

Arraignment is usually just a formality (assuming you plead not guilty) to inform you of the charges and see if you are going to plead guilty or not guilty. It is at a Pre-trial that discussions would be held with the prosecutor to decide if the case could be resolved without a trial, even to the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I got a warning charge that has the “citation” and “warning” boxes checked next to it. Do I need to pay for the fine?

So the ticket was originally for an illegal turn. He made it for impeding traffic and on the line directly below it, is the illegal turn violation with its own fine and 2 points. I asked if my insurance would increase and he said no because it’s just a warning and I need to pay the impeding... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Nov 20, 2019

I agree that you need to get an explanation about this ticket. Maybe you can call the court and get clarification, but be sure you comply with the time limit stated on the ticket to formally respond to the ticket. If you can't get a satisfactory explanation, request an Informal Hearing and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: Does michigan have a dui law that relates to using a pedal bike
Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Sep 15, 2019

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated is what is prohibited. A vehicle is defined as a device that moves or can move on a highway, but not if it is powered only by human power. A bicycle without a motor is not a vehicle. A bicycle that has a power assist, that is being used, would be a vehicle. If... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: If Im being charged w/ OWI & high BAC (.21), what should I do? Get a lawyer or can I do court apt? Plead guilty or not?

I am a 25 and it's my 1st offense. I already work 2 jobs to pay the bills, so if you think a court appointed public defender can get the job done, same as a OWI attorney, please say that. Money is tight. What do I need to know & do? My arrainment is this coming Friday Sept. 6th

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Sep 3, 2019

Many court appointed lawyers are very competent attorneys and serve their clients well. To some extent, it depends on what court the case is in, and who you get as an attorney. Some courts use a "house counsel" system that has one attorney handling all the court appointed cases that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: Can police hide then pull you over?

I left work a cop passed me from opposite direction I pulled in friends driveway and dropped off her work badge. Saw the cop fly by going in the direction I was previously going. I got back in car proceeded to go home down the road I saw the same cop parked on a side road. I was not speeding then.... View More

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on Aug 30, 2019

If the officer witnessed you speeding, the fact that he did not pull you over immediately is not a defense. You should contact an attorney who handles traffic cases on a regular basis for some guidance on how your particular case should be handled. Sincerely, Frank B. Ford

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I got a speeding ticket with incorrect info on it. The Name, date of birth, address is wrong. Can I get this dismissed?

The only thing that is correct on the ticket is the Vehicle plate number. Should I fight this in court or contact the officer's supervisor?

Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
answered on May 9, 2019

Probably the best way to approach this is to ask for an Informal Hearing. When you go for that, you can tell the Magistrate about the mistakes on the ticket, but even before you do that, talk with the officer, who should be there for the hearing, and see if you can reach an agreement that will not... View More

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