Dr.Jass
Pastor of Muppets
Well, I have decided it is time to move forward with an attempt to regain my driving priveleges. It's been over 15 years, and I've kept my nose clean for 7 straight. In the meantime I've quit drinking as well, so I think it's high time I helped out those poor, struggling MI insurance companies with some truly high-rate coverage.
To that end I have secured counsel, and got what I think is a pretty sweet deal: $1,500 retainer covers any and all work done until I get a two-year restricted license. Paperwork, multiple attempts, you name it. The only addition fees regarding the attorney are a drug test (typical pre-employment type, around $60), substance-abuse assessment (that's a whopping $300, which makes me question if the assessor perhaps is on crack :doh: ), and if for any reason the attorney should have to leave town, $250 for his expenses. He is located downstate, which means I'll have to travel there once or twice... not a big deal. I also still owe the state for my "Driver Responsibility Fees", an unconstitutional double-jeopardy scam that MI employs.
If you're wondering why I would hire an attorney that's roughly 300 miles away from me, well, it's pretty simple: lawyers are always a scam, but never so much as when they're in their hometown. I've been around it all my life, and the judge, prosecutor, and defense will all hang out and have drinks pretty regularly. Being buddies, the attorneys will milk it for every buck you have in fees, court costs, etc. Bring in an out-of-towner, and the magnetic field collapses: we don't know this dude, and he is the enemy. That's what I want should it come to the point of standing in a courtroom.
All told, I'll be staring about five grand in the face. That's a lot of money, but when you live in a small town with miserable cab service and no public transportation, believe me, it's a freakin' steal. Thankfully, I don't have to drop all of it at once... and hopefully I'll be back behind the wheel legally before too long.
To that end I have secured counsel, and got what I think is a pretty sweet deal: $1,500 retainer covers any and all work done until I get a two-year restricted license. Paperwork, multiple attempts, you name it. The only addition fees regarding the attorney are a drug test (typical pre-employment type, around $60), substance-abuse assessment (that's a whopping $300, which makes me question if the assessor perhaps is on crack :doh: ), and if for any reason the attorney should have to leave town, $250 for his expenses. He is located downstate, which means I'll have to travel there once or twice... not a big deal. I also still owe the state for my "Driver Responsibility Fees", an unconstitutional double-jeopardy scam that MI employs.
If you're wondering why I would hire an attorney that's roughly 300 miles away from me, well, it's pretty simple: lawyers are always a scam, but never so much as when they're in their hometown. I've been around it all my life, and the judge, prosecutor, and defense will all hang out and have drinks pretty regularly. Being buddies, the attorneys will milk it for every buck you have in fees, court costs, etc. Bring in an out-of-towner, and the magnetic field collapses: we don't know this dude, and he is the enemy. That's what I want should it come to the point of standing in a courtroom.
All told, I'll be staring about five grand in the face. That's a lot of money, but when you live in a small town with miserable cab service and no public transportation, believe me, it's a freakin' steal. Thankfully, I don't have to drop all of it at once... and hopefully I'll be back behind the wheel legally before too long.
