Footage from a court hearing in Michigan went viral after defendant Corey Harris, who had a suspended license, joined the Zoom call while clearly behind the wheel.
District Judge Cedric Simpson of Ann Arbor is seen on the video reacting in disbelief as Harris dials in, with his seat belt visible over his torso and his car obviously moving.
‘Mister. Harris, are you driving? Simpson asked the defendant.
“Actually, I’m going into my doctor’s office,” Harris responded.
Simpson then asked if Harris was behind the wheel of the car.
A district judge in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was stunned when a man with a suspended driver’s license joined a court Zoom call while driving a car.
District Judge Cedric Simpson of Ann Arbor is seen on the video reacting in disbelief as Harris dials in, with his seat belt visible over his torso and his car obviously moving.
“I’m actually walking into my doctor’s office,” Harris said. “So give me a second…I’m parking right now.”
The legal teams in the courtroom stood in disbelief, as shown on the Zoom call, while those attending the hearing at the back of the courthouse did their best to contain their laughter.
For a first offense, a driving with a suspended license case in Michigan can carry a $500 fine and up to 93 days in jail, which is why Harris was initially in court.
The judge, baffled and bewildered, then asked if Harris was still, to which Harris responded yes: “just give me a second.”
In a last-ditch attempt to reduce Harris’ inevitable subpoena, her public defender requested a continuance “possibly up to four weeks if the court allows it.”
‘Okay, maybe I don’t understand something. “This is a driving with a suspended license (case), and he was just driving and he didn’t have a license,” Simpson asked, astonished.
“That is correct, your honor,” the public defender said defeated.
“I don’t even know why he would do that,” the judge said, perplexed.
“The defendant’s bail is revoked in this matter,” the judge declared. “The defendant is due to surrender to the Washtenaw County Jail at 6 p.m. today.”
“Oh my God,” Harris responded, surprised that they would issue a verdict so quickly without hearing his side of the argument.
A second offense for driving with a suspended license, which Harris had committed on the Zoom call, could mean a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
