Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido has declared a new, stringent policy: There will be no reduced plea offers for individuals arrested for fleeing and eluding, a felony, in Macomb County.
The move follows a surge in accidents caused by drivers attempting to evade law enforcement, he said, resulting in grievous injuries and fatalities across the county.
At the same time, Lucido is calling upon state lawmakers to collaborate on drafting legislation designed to deal with the problem.
“Every time a driver flees, they gamble with innocent lives,”?Lucido said. “This new policy is our commitment to ending that gamble.
“If you put your foot on the gas to run from the police, you just committed a felony. With help from Macomb County legislators, we want to send a message: ‘Run from the Law, Walk to a Cell!’”
Currently, fleeing and eluding is a felony offense in Michigan, carrying potential penalties of two to 15 years imprisonment and steep fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
A critical flaw in the current system, Lucido said, is that there is no mandatory jail time.
Lucido advocates for a bi-partisan legislative effort to implement amendments to the existing fleeing and eluding statute, including the statutory enhancement of consequences such as mandatory prison time.
“For the people of Michigan, the consequences of fleeing and eluding must be statutorily enhanced,” he said.
Lucido said he planned to meet with selected Macomb County legislators to focus on potential legislative reforms. The goal, he added, was to foster bipartisan support for solutions that will enhance public safety for all Michigan residents.
“Just as the crime of Felony Firearm carries a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence, it's time to consider if fleeing and eluding should carry the same mandatory penalty,” he said. “The average weight of a vehicle is over 4,000 lbs. A fleeing vehicle can cause as much damage as a bullet.
“We’ve seen the carnage inflicted upon families here in Macomb County. It’s time to address such reckless behavior statewide.”
The move follows a surge in accidents caused by drivers attempting to evade law enforcement, he said, resulting in grievous injuries and fatalities across the county.
At the same time, Lucido is calling upon state lawmakers to collaborate on drafting legislation designed to deal with the problem.
“Every time a driver flees, they gamble with innocent lives,”?Lucido said. “This new policy is our commitment to ending that gamble.
“If you put your foot on the gas to run from the police, you just committed a felony. With help from Macomb County legislators, we want to send a message: ‘Run from the Law, Walk to a Cell!’”
Currently, fleeing and eluding is a felony offense in Michigan, carrying potential penalties of two to 15 years imprisonment and steep fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
A critical flaw in the current system, Lucido said, is that there is no mandatory jail time.
Lucido advocates for a bi-partisan legislative effort to implement amendments to the existing fleeing and eluding statute, including the statutory enhancement of consequences such as mandatory prison time.
“For the people of Michigan, the consequences of fleeing and eluding must be statutorily enhanced,” he said.
Lucido said he planned to meet with selected Macomb County legislators to focus on potential legislative reforms. The goal, he added, was to foster bipartisan support for solutions that will enhance public safety for all Michigan residents.
“Just as the crime of Felony Firearm carries a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence, it's time to consider if fleeing and eluding should carry the same mandatory penalty,” he said. “The average weight of a vehicle is over 4,000 lbs. A fleeing vehicle can cause as much damage as a bullet.
“We’ve seen the carnage inflicted upon families here in Macomb County. It’s time to address such reckless behavior statewide.”
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