Macomb County prosecutor announces new plan for gun crimes and mental health

On Wednesday, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced a new plan related to mental health and gun crimes.

Lucido is working on a plan to reduce gun crimes and not offer any reductions in certain felony gun cases unless the defendant first receives an assessment and recommendation by a qualified, licensed mental health professional to determine if they pose a potential risk to the community.  

Lucido’s new plan would require the defendant or their attorney to request a deviation if the accused is seeking a reduced plea on a felony cases, and fill out the online Community Corrections Referral Form to have an assessment and recommendation completed. After the assessment and recommendation by Community Corrections is completed, the prosecutor will review the assessment and recommendation, and determine whether the charge should be reduced.

“If this new plan can prevent one incident like the mass shooting at Michigan State University, we have done more than we are doing now,” said Lucido.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office continues to be tough on illegal guns. Since January 2021, more charges of felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon without a license have been authorized than in any prior years.  In 2020, the year before Lucido took office, felony firearm was charged 146 times.  In 2021, felony firearm was charged 185 times, and in 2022 it was charged 308 times.  In 2020, the year before Lucido took office, carrying a concealed weapon without a license was charged 434 times. In 2022, the five-year felony was charged 551 times.

In December 2022, Lucido announced a new policy that criminals committing a felony while in possession of a gun will be charged with a mandatory two-year felony (One with a Gun gets you Two), continuing his firm stance on illegal guns and reversing years of gun crime policies.

Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office’s new plan would work in conjunction with Macomb County’s existing resources including Community Corrections.  Community Corrections offers various support and treatment services for adults with mental illness. They currently conduct an assessment and recommendation for all defendants after drunk driving or drug driving pleas prior to sentencing.  

Lucido stated, “there is no constitutional right to possess a gun when committing a felony.”