The Michigan man whose virtual court appearance went viral when the judge caught him driving with a suspended license had the punishment rescinded more than two years ago, according to a report.
But a snafu prevented the January 2022 order being enforced and Corey Harris' driving privileges were never officially reinstated, local TV station WXYZ said Friday, citing a court record it posted online.
Harris' license was suspended in 2010 for failure to pay child support, according to another image posted by the station.
WXYZ said it took less than five minutes of searching to locate the records.
On May 15, Harris appeared via Zoom before Judge Cedric Simpson in connection with an October traffic stop in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, where he was charged with driving with a suspended license.
A recording of the court session went viral after Simpson saw Harris behind the wheel of a car and asked, "Mr. Harris, are you driving?"
"Actually, I'm pulling into my doctor's office," Harris answered. "Just give me one second. I'm parking right now."
The flabbergasted judge revoked Harris' bond and ordered him to report to jail by 6 p.m.
Harris spent two days locked up, later telling WXYZ, "With the type of ties that I have with the church and the community, it's very embarrassing."
He also said he knew his suspension had been lifted and blamed the situation on the office of the Saginaw County Friend of the Court, which according to its website provides enforcement services for child support, parenting time and custody orders.
The office of the Friend of the Court didn't return calls and the Saginaw Defenders Office, which represents Harris, declined to comment, WXYZ said.
