Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Laws will be departing from his position at the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office after more than four years of distinguished service to accept a new role with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. His final day will be Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
Laws served as a first-chair trial attorney, frequently leading high-profile and complex criminal cases. He demonstrated exceptional courtroom advocacy, regularly securing favorable jury verdicts and managed cases from warrant review through sentencing with professionalism, precision, and dedication. In addition to his legal work, Laws is the owner and handler of Peanut, the beloved courtroom support dog who has provided comfort to children, victims, and families during legal proceedings. Peanut will accompany Laws to Oakland County and continue his service as a therapy dog.
A significant factor in Laws’ decision was the economic reality of pay disparities between counties. Oakland County offers approximately $10,000 more in annual compensation for assistant prosecuting attorneys. The
new role is also closer to his home, significantly reducing his commute and improving work-life balance.
Despite national shortages of assistant prosecutors, Macomb County continues to fill vacancies quickly—a point Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido attributes to the office’s reputation and culture. He emphasized the importance of compensation in retaining high-caliber legal talent.
“Talented people like working with other talented people. But to retain the best, we need to pay for the best,” Lucido said.
Laws emphasized that his departure is not due to any dissatisfaction with Macomb County, but rather personal and financial considerations. He offered praise for the office, its leadership, and his colleagues.
“I appreciate the opportunities provided to me personally and professionally in my time working for the people of Macomb County over the past four years,” said Law. “It has been a fantastic experience for me. I think this truly is an excellent place to practice law, to be a prosecutor, and to grow as an attorney. I will continue my professional practice in my home county, but I hope to remain a colleague and compatriot for my fellow prosecutors—even if from a different location.”
Laws continued by emphasizing his respect for the internal operations of the office.
“I’ve always been impressed with the efficiency of this office. For a large county with as many cases as we have, it runs remarkably well. I think this is driven by the continued investment in technology—but more importantly, the continued investment in people.”
Prosecutor Lucido praised Laws’ important contributions to the office and community.
“Mark Laws has been an outstanding prosecutor,” Lucido said. “His skill, dedication, and compassion strengthened our office and ensured justice for countless victims. And Peanut’s comforting presence has helped ease the trauma many families face when entering the courtroom. We are grateful for Mark’s service and wish him nothing but success in Oakland County.”
Laws will begin his new position with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office in the coming weeks.
Laws served as a first-chair trial attorney, frequently leading high-profile and complex criminal cases. He demonstrated exceptional courtroom advocacy, regularly securing favorable jury verdicts and managed cases from warrant review through sentencing with professionalism, precision, and dedication. In addition to his legal work, Laws is the owner and handler of Peanut, the beloved courtroom support dog who has provided comfort to children, victims, and families during legal proceedings. Peanut will accompany Laws to Oakland County and continue his service as a therapy dog.
A significant factor in Laws’ decision was the economic reality of pay disparities between counties. Oakland County offers approximately $10,000 more in annual compensation for assistant prosecuting attorneys. The
new role is also closer to his home, significantly reducing his commute and improving work-life balance.
Despite national shortages of assistant prosecutors, Macomb County continues to fill vacancies quickly—a point Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido attributes to the office’s reputation and culture. He emphasized the importance of compensation in retaining high-caliber legal talent.
“Talented people like working with other talented people. But to retain the best, we need to pay for the best,” Lucido said.
Laws emphasized that his departure is not due to any dissatisfaction with Macomb County, but rather personal and financial considerations. He offered praise for the office, its leadership, and his colleagues.
“I appreciate the opportunities provided to me personally and professionally in my time working for the people of Macomb County over the past four years,” said Law. “It has been a fantastic experience for me. I think this truly is an excellent place to practice law, to be a prosecutor, and to grow as an attorney. I will continue my professional practice in my home county, but I hope to remain a colleague and compatriot for my fellow prosecutors—even if from a different location.”
Laws continued by emphasizing his respect for the internal operations of the office.
“I’ve always been impressed with the efficiency of this office. For a large county with as many cases as we have, it runs remarkably well. I think this is driven by the continued investment in technology—but more importantly, the continued investment in people.”
Prosecutor Lucido praised Laws’ important contributions to the office and community.
“Mark Laws has been an outstanding prosecutor,” Lucido said. “His skill, dedication, and compassion strengthened our office and ensured justice for countless victims. And Peanut’s comforting presence has helped ease the trauma many families face when entering the courtroom. We are grateful for Mark’s service and wish him nothing but success in Oakland County.”
Laws will begin his new position with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office in the coming weeks.
