“I don’t even know why he would do that,” Judge Cedric Simpson said during the Zoom call.
An Ann Arbor, Michigan judge was left flabbergasted when a defendant, charged with driving on a suspended license, attended a virtual court hearing while driving his car! The incident, which occurred on May 15, has since gone viral, showing Judge Cedric Simpson visibly perplexed as Corey Harris joined the Zoom call from behind the wheel.
As the hearing kicks off, Harris’ public defender introduces him. Judge Simpson immediately notices something strange. “Mr. Harris, are you driving?” he asks.
Unfazed, Harris replies, “Actually, I’m pulling into my doctor’s office. Just give me one second. I’m parking right now.”
Seemingly focused on the road ahead, Harris is oblivious to the judge’s growing confusion. Simpson’s facial expressions clearly show his disbelief.
After a few moments, Judge Simpson asks if Harris is now stationary. Harris responds in a sing-songy voice, “I’m pulling in right now at this second. Yes, I am.”
Judge Simpson, now smiling, turns to the public defender for clarification on Harris’ case. She requests an adjournment, perhaps sensing the judge’s rising disbelief.
Judge Simpson, still trying to wrap his head around the situation, addresses the public defender again, “Okay, so maybe I don’t understand something. This is a ‘driving while suspended?’”
The public defender confirms, and Simpson, clearly astonished, reiterates, “And he was just driving, and he didn’t have a license?”
A brief silence follows as both the judge and Harris seem lost for words. The public defender breaks the silence, confirming the charges.
Judge Simpson, gathering his thoughts, reviews Harris’ record again out loud. “No, I’m looking at his record. He doesn’t have a license. He’s suspended, and he’s just driving.” Once again, the public defender confirms.
A longer pause ensues, with all Zoom participants seemingly unsure how to proceed.
Harris, now sensing the gravity of the situation, asks, “Hello?” He’s advised to wait for a moment.
Judge Simpson, still incredulous, comments, “I don’t even know why he would do that.” He then makes a decisive move — revoking Harris’ bond.
“Defendant is to turn himself into the Washtenaw County jail by 6 p.m. today. Failure to turn himself in will result in a bench warrant with no bond,” Simpson declares.
An exasperated Harris leans back in his driver’s seat, “Oh my God,” is all he can muster as the hearing concludes.
In what feels like an episode from a TV show, this bizarre series of events is very real. Harris had been initially charged with driving with a suspended license back in October 2023. According to court records shared by Detroit’s WXYZ on May 29, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office confirms Harris was jailed on May 15 after the Zoom incident but was out on bond by May 17.
