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.
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”
Maybe the guy just might be way too used to driving everywhere without thinking, almost like a muscle memory at this point.
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.
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.