Dawson v. Secretary of State

oconcurring in part). Plaintiffs appeal as of right an order of the Court of Claims granting summary disposition to defendants pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8) and (10). This case involves a challenge to the validity of Michigan’s driver responsibility law (DRL), MCL 257.732a, under the United States and Michigan constitutions. Because I conclude that the DRL imposes a constitutionally permissible criminal fine, I concur in affirming the decision of the Court of Claims.

The specific challenge to the DRL is to the “driver responsibility fee” it imposes. Under MCL 257.732a, the Secretary of State is…