Man with revoked driver’s license appears in court virtually while driving

A judge in Ann Arbor, Michigan, could not believe his eyes when a defendant attended a virtual court hearing in a driver’s license suspension case, dialing in via Zoom while driving his car.

The May 15 incident is now going viral and shows Judge Cedric Simpson visibly and verbally confused as Corey Harris called his Washtenaw County hearing from his moving vehicle.

At the beginning of the split-screen video, Harris’ public defender introduces him in one frame while Simpson waits for the defendant to enter the proceedings.

“Mr. Harris, are you driving?” asks the judge.

“Actually, I’m driving to my doctor’s office,” Harris replies. “So just give me a second. I’m parking.”

Harris is focused on the road and doesn’t notice Simpson’s expression. The judge seems at a loss for words in the face of what is happening.

A few moments pass and Simpson asks Harris if he is standing still.

“I’m driving in right now,” the defendant replies in a sing-song voice. “Yes, I am.”

Smiling, Simpson asks the public defender to clarify why Harris is in court. She asks for her client’s case to be adjourned.

There is another short break.

“Okay, maybe I don’t understand something,” the judge begins with a serious expression. “This is a ‘driving license revocation’?”

“That’s correct, Your Honor,” says the public defender.

“And he just drove and didn’t have a license?” Simpson asks sternly.

The judge and Harris appear to be completely speechless as they both sit in silence.

“Those are the charges, Your Honor, yes,” says the public defender.

Simpson waits a moment before going over the details again.

“No, I look at his record. He doesn’t have a license. He’s suspended and just driving,” Simpson says.

“That is correct, Your Honor,” Harris’ legal counsel replies.

Silence remains as none of the Zoom participants seem to know how to respond to the situation.

“Hello?” asks Harris. He is advised to wait a moment.

A few more seconds pass and Simpson adds, “I don’t even know why he would do that.” Then he revokes Harris’ bail.

“The defendant must report to the Washtenaw County Jail by 6 p.m. today or a no-bail warrant will be issued,” Simpson said.

“Oh my God,” Harris says in disbelief, laying his head back in his driver’s seat as Simpson ends the hearing.

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Harris was previously charged with driving without a license in October 2023, Detroit station WXYZ reported on Wednesday, May 29, citing court documents.

PEOPLE reached out to the Washtenaw County Jail for comment but did not immediately receive a response.