Eight courts mark highest legal participation in years at Road to Restoration clinic in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Eight district courts participated in the Road to Restoration clinic in Royal Oak on April 14, the largest number at a clinic in recent years. Court personnel joined volunteer attorneys, the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, and experts from the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) to provide driver’s license restoration advice to more than 140 area residents. While at the clinic, 10 residents rang a bell to celebrate the restoration of their driving privileges. 

“Sometimes residents have fines and fees with multiple courts that could require them to travel, and take multiple days off of work to address what they need to address,” said Abigayl Venman, director of the Road to Restoration program. “Having many courts on site means that residents can handle what they need to in one stop. The courts can work together and help residents understand what they need, which open actions or fines and fees they have to prioritize before they can get back on the road.” 

"This stemmed from just a parking ticket,” said Patricia Napier, who passed her written driver’s knowledge test and reinstated her driver’s license at the Royal Oak clinic. “I didn't realize that there was a ticket until I was pulled over with a suspended license. I'm a single mom, so I didn't have a choice but to drive, and it just snowballed and got so big that I couldn't pay for it. I've called the courts, I've tried to make payment programs, talking to attorneys, getting advice, all of the dead-end roads. It's going to open up my whole world – just the ability to live where I want, work where I want, do the things I need to do. Paying for transportation has cost an insane amount of money in the past few years, so I'm excited.” 

“I did try to get my license back. It was revoked,” said Eric Cornell, attendee of the clinic. “I didn't have the proper information when I tried on my own the first time. I was very uneducated on license restoration. The attorney at the clinic today just literally equipped me with all the answers that I need to get my license back when I go in front of the judge again. Now, with the information that I acquired today, I feel way more confident going through the process. Road to Restoration is amazing. It's not too late to get your driver's license back. Having a driver's license is a privilege. It can change your life.” 

The 44th District Court, a partner of the Royal Oak clinic, developed and implemented Operation Drive, a program that provides attorney assistance and guidance to residents seeking to obtain valid driving privileges. Several of the participating courts at the clinic expanded this program in their serving areas. 

“This is the fourth Road to Restoration clinic that I've been a part of,” said Judge Andrew Kowalowski of the 44th District Court in Royal Oak. “Each time, it gets more and more special. I love to see the number of resources that are here under one roof. For people that are dealing with the maze of getting their driving licenses resolved, it's truly special. Every time you hear that bell ring. It's a wonderful moment. That means somebody's life has changed. And it's because of all the effort and energy that's under this roof.” 

“With the court system, you have to be arraigned. Then you have a pre-trial, it can take a couple court appearances,” said Judge Laura E. Polizzi of 52nd District Court - Division 3 in Rochester Hills, who launched an Operation Drive program at her court. “Then, sometimes you still have to clear with Secretary of State, or you still have to clear your license suspended in other courts. With this program, it's really great because you have the Secretary of State here, there's multiple courts here, so if you have suspensions out of multiple courts, you can do it all in one day. That's really important for people who have these license suspended because if you don't have a license and you have to make stops at all of these different places, it's a hardship on them.” 

“I recognized really soon after getting on the bench that a number of the cases that we see and that are placed on our dockets are related to traffic offenses,” said Judge Maureen McGinnis of 52nd District Court – Division 4 in Troy. “Just because someone doesn't have a license, they now have to face criminal charges. Otherwise, we're talking about law abiding people that are working, trying to support their family, get to where they need to go to take care of their kids, maintain their jobs. They would fall into a hole where they would get a ticket that could end up suspending their license. I feel like we are better using our time supporting people rather than penalizing them or even just issuing a fine without giving them the information that they need to eventually clear things to get the license. Even though a fine might seem like a nominal penalty, it's just one more thing that adds up and makes it impossible to get their license. I was motivated to try to be part of a solution.” 

The following district courts participated in the Royal Oak Road to Restoration clinic:  

• 36th District Court – Detroit 

• 44th District Court – Royal Oak 

• 46th District Court – Southfield 

• 47th District Court – Farmington Hills 

• 50th District Court – Pontiac 

• 51st District Court – Waterford 

• 52nd District Court – Division 3 – Rochester Hills 

• 52nd District Court – Division 4 – Troy 
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