Okay, I am sorry, this is long, but I feel I need to provide the background details. I need some advice from people who have went through the license restoration process.
First OWVI was March 2021 (no probation just restricted license for 3 months), second OWVI was October 2021. I had a smart start breathalyzer during the period I was going through court to ensure I was not drinking. Following this I served 9 months out of a 1 year probation period and was discharged early, I did not fail any etg/drug tests. I had an alcohol abuse assessment and continued counseling for about 10 months.
My license was revoked in February 2022. I filed an appeal and had my license restoration hearing June 2023 and it was denied. I had a good lawyer and she did not agree with the outcome of it all.
Background on this, when I received both OWVIs, I was going to college up in the UP (I’m from downstate Michigan). I received a bachelors in mechanical engineering and went back for my masters because my license was revoked and I thought it’d be easier than trying to find a job and moving without being able to drive.
The people I have known the longest and am closet with (talked to very regularly on the phone, daily, if not weekly) like my mom, step dad, best friends, etc., are whom I chose to write my support letters. I only chose one person who lived up in the UP with me, one of my friends who was also a coworker. I was denied because I did not see these people regularly at the time, only talked to them via FaceTime or phone call.
During the time of the appeal (last summer) I was living back down state with my best friend (same city as my family) and finishing up the last couple classes of my masters degree online. I’m done now, and have started a full time job in my degree field and live 1.5 hours away from home (where my family and friends live).
I need advice when it comes to my support letters. Im kind of at a loss. I understand now, the people I choose must see me regularly, at least once a week, and that they must have known me for a significant amount of time. But now I’m in a position where I live by myself and don’t have any friends I see on a weekly basis (aside from my mom bc she works in the area often).
I should also note, I have taken my sobriety seriously and am grateful in a way that I was caught driving under the influence because it allowed me to take a step back and really reevaluate my life. I have held myself accountable for my actions and realize the mistakes I’ve made, which I am human, it is okay. All I can do is be better. I truly feel I have served my punishment and deserve to at least get a restricted license with the interlock device. It’s been about a year and nine months that my license had been revoked. Over two years of sobriety.
Do you guys have any advice on support letters I should provide for my next hearing? I am wanting to get everything around and going because this whole not being able to drive to work and paying for Uber to get everywhere sucks. My hearing officer is allowing me to reappeal at anytime so I’m trying to get all my ducks in a row.
