The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office was honored recently with seven achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo).
“This national recognition shows remarkable progress is taking place in the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office where significant and positive changes continue,” said County Commission Chairman Don Brown.
County Commissioner Joseph Romano, who chairs the commission’s Records and Public Safety Committee, said the prosecutor’s office had made “incredible progress,” adding it was “truly remarkable to see how this office is making great strides.”
The NACo's Achievement Awards program is dedicated to recognizing county government innovations.
“These accolades stand as a testament to the remarkable efforts and dedication of our assistant prosecutors and staff,” said Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. “We are in an environment conducive to innovation and excellence, allowing us to implement groundbreaking programs and initiatives that positively impact our community."
The prosecutor’s office received 2023 National Association of Counties Achievement awards in the category of Criminal Justice and Public Safety for the following:
• Death case dashboard improves administration of cases involving death.
• Paperless victim rights requests improve service.
• Payment processing tech improves criminal case “discovery digital media fee” processing
• Prosecutor converts digital evidence platform to staff training platform
• Prosecutors streamline access to justice with electronic victim advocate assistance requests
• Technology pushes instant warrant and courtroom manual updates to assistant prosecutors
• Weekend warrant authorization improved with jail duty tracker
Along with the NACo recognition, Lucido noted other improvements his office has initiated, including:
• An increase in child support collections.
An increased focus has been placed on collecting child support from parents who owe $5,000 or more. The office has collected over $100,000 so far this year for the direct benefit of Macomb County children.
• Mental health assessments sought as a condition of bond in gun crime cases.
With a policy to seek mental health assessments as part of bond in all gun crime cases, Lucido recognizes that some defendants struggle with mental health issues, which might be addressed through early identification and provision of appropriate services before defendants get an opportunity to commit another crime with a gun.
• Warrant Appeals Unit launched.
Victims and law enforcement officials are now given the right to have a second set of eyes to review cases where charges are denied, the first known unit of its kind in the state.
• Digital Evidence Management platform implemented.
With more than 400,000 pieces of digital evidence in the system, the volume of digital evidence is higher than it’s ever been, and keeps increasing. Police agencies now upload digital evidence, the prosecutor’s office reviews it and defense lawyers can directly download the evidence.
