Earlier this week we told you that the now-viral Michigan man who literally pulled up to a virtual hearing about driving on a suspended license behind the wheel of his car deserved an apology. According to reporting from the local ABC affiliate, the whole thing appeared to be a misunderstanding based on a clerical error in the Secretary of State’s office.
Well, now it looks we’re the ones who need to apologize, because there’s another unbelievable update to Corey Harris’ case. If your head is spinning, we completely understand.
During a June 5 follow-up hearing, Judge Cedric Simpson shared that after researching court documents and records he learned that Harris never had a valid driver’s license to begin with. The judge also found that Harris had an outstanding warrant for – you guessed it – driving with a suspended license.
“Let me make it very clear, based on what the court looked at — [Harris] has never had a Michigan license. Ever,” said the judge. “And he has never had a license in the other 49 states and commonwealths that form up this great union. He has never had a license.”
According to the New York Post, Harris originally told the court that he tried to clear up the matter of his suspended license, which was tied to unpaid child support, in December 2023, when he was injured in a traffic accident. But the truth is he went to the Secretary of State’s office to renew his state ID. Michigan law doesn’t allow residents to have a driver’s license and a state ID.
“He has religiously every year gotten a new ID. And so he knows that he doesn’t have a license,” Judge Simpson said. “And quite frankly, I wish he would have said this at the beginning and all of this hoopla could have been put aside.”
According to The Detroit News, the judge said that in order for Harris to receive a valid driver’s license, he has to get a learner’s permit, drive for a minimum of 30 days and pass a driving test.
Harris’ next court appearance is set for August 7. Hopefully this time he’ll take the bus.