In The News

In The News

Monday, September 23, 2019

Real ID Will Soon Get Real in Michigan - Got Yours?

By Michael Nichols
Categories: Michael J. Nichols

Just as your jaw may drop over the Lions going undefeated through the first 3 regular season games of the fall, you may be just as surprised to know that a law that was recommended by the 9-1-1 commission is not far from taking effect in Michigan. “The ‘real ID’ is about 12 months from going into effect in every state across the country,” says Michigan attorney Mike Nichols. “This is a federal recommendation that every state require people who apply for driver licenses to get the certification by way of a background check to confirm that the holder is not a terrorist threat, in response to the 9-1-1 attacks of 2001,” Nichols adds.

Your driver license will have a gold circle with a star in the middle if you achieve the Real ID certification. It will be required if you want to board any domestic flight as a condition of getting on the plane. However, Nichols says you have options: “if you do not obtain a Real ID, you will need a valid passport to board and the emphasis is on valid,” he says. It does NOT mean that you will be able to bypass security at an airport.

You can find out more about obtaining a Real ID from the Michigan Secretary of State link on Mich.gov. The deadline for obtaining a Real ID is October 1, 2020.

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Peer Recognition

Mike Nichols is a national leader in drunk driving defense. He is a member of the Forensic Committee and Michigan delegate to the National College for DUI Defense. He is also a Sustaining Member of the College. Nichols is also a founding member of the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys; a member of the American Chemical Society; an associate member of he American Academy of Forensic Science, Adjunct Professor of Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law and OWI Law and Practice at Cooley Law School. He is also author of the West OWI Practice book and several chapters in other books on science and the law.

Mike Nichols is recognized by his peers in Michigan as a “SuperLawyer” in DUI/Criminal Defense. Nichols has also been asked to speak at conferences by groups such as the NCDD; Various Bar Associations in other states.