Board of Appeals Hearing

[bostondude]

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: Massachusetts

I have a meeting with the Board of Appeals this Thursday. I am trying to get my license reinstated early by two months. I was wondering what type of procedure this is and if it is similar to court. Does my lawyer simply make a case for me and then the Board has a meeting in a back room? Do they decide right there in the open? Will they ask me any questions or just judge me by my criminal and driving record? Also, if it is a 3 person panel does it take a unanimous decision or just a majority? Any info or suggestions are appreciated. I plan on dressing nice and just being honest and forthright so I hope they understand why I need a hardship license

[Mr. Knowitall]

Read this summary. Your lawyer should also be able to explain the process to you.

[bostondude]

I lost my appeal in Novemeber and since have waited out the time until I am eligible for a work hardship which is 1 year into a 2 year suspension (my hardship eligiblity date was 1/28/2009). So I finally go into Hearings Office and they do not grant me a hardship b/c the 90-24D (1st offender) the court gave me does not equate with the alcohol program the registry requires (2nd offense, 2 week in-treatment), How can i even fight this if I had no choice over what program I did? The judge orders one program and the registry expects something totally different when I walk in there. The worst part is, I do not think I can re-appear before the Board of Appeals b/c it is basically the same case yet different circumstances this time around. The guy at the registry suggested that I might have to go to The Superior Court and file a complaint, which at this point, sounds nearly impossible to overcome and win in the end. However, I simply cannot see myself going another whole year without even a work-hardship license...any have any input or seen a similar situation?

[bostondude]

on a side....what is the difference between a WORK HARDSHIP license and a GENERAL HARDSHIP? If I do not get approved for a work hardship, I can go for a general hardship but what is the difference in reguirements

[bostondude]

so I am going to go to the Superior Court and still try to get a hardship license....does anyone know what this process consists of? Is it in front of a single judge and does he make a ruling on the same day? any information or advice is appreciated..thanks

[licensegrl]

on a side....what is the difference between a WORK HARDSHIP license and a GENERAL HARDSHIP? If I do not get approved for a work hardship, I can go for a general hardship but what is the difference in reguirements

There is only one "Hardship" license and it is a work hardship. At the hearing you need to have a letter from your emplyer that states the hours you work.

[licensegrl]

Don't even bother. What the court says and what the Registry says are completely seperate. The court has every rright to treat you as a first offender. But the RMV is bound under "Melanies Law" to treat it as a second. The ONLY thing that will change that is if one of the offenses has a disposition of "Dismissed". Understand, that a continued without a finding is NOT a "Dismissed disposition. You have two choices: wait out the time entirely or go do a 2 week in house program in order to be eligible for a hardship license. The Board of appeals has limited authority with changing any of this for you. It really is a complete waste of your time to go through them. This is all written into Mass General Laws and the RMV is bound by those laws.

[licensegrl]

see my below responses.......