Macomb County crime victims benefit as prosecutor helps 67% more victims

Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Dawn Fraylick, Communications Director
Office: +1 (586) 469-5737 
Cell: +1 (586) 842-4421                                           
Email: Dawn.Fraylick@macombgov.org                        

August 22, 2024

Macomb County crime victims benefit as prosecutor helps 67% more victims

Mount Clemens, MI - More Macomb County crime victims get more help. The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office achieved a 67% increase in the percentage of crime victims receiving crucial support services. This significant growth reflects ongoing efforts to better protect victims' rights, improve communication, and provide comprehensive assistance to those affected by crime throughout the county.

“Our goal has always been to uplift crime victims by providing services and support they need during some of their toughest moments. By providing more victim services, we’re making good on that promise. We have talented victim advocates now using modern technology who have clearly achieved results,” said Lucido. “The real winners are Macomb County crime victims who have a prosecutor's office that stands firmly in their corner.”

The number and percentage of victims served has increased in the first half of 2024 versus the first half of 2020, the year before Lucido took office. In the first half of 2024, the office provided victim rights services to 2,403 crime victims out of 3,860 cases with victims. In the first half of 2020, the year before Lucido took office, the office provided victim rights services to 931 crime victims out of 2,308 cases with victims.

The percentage served is two-thirds higher than 2020. In 2020, 39% of Macomb County crime victims received victim rights services, including but not limited to assigned victim advocates, help getting restitution, hearing notices or other kinds of support. In 2020, there were 5,079 cases with crime victims, of which 1,987 requested victim rights.  Lucido’s team increased this to an impressive 65% in the recent quarter ending June 30, 2024. In the first half of 2024, there were 3,860 cases with crime victims, of which 2,403 requested victim rights. This increase represents a major turnaround for the office, which has been focused on providing comprehensive assistance to crime victims. Lucido credits his staff.

Lucido says the increase is due to efforts making it more convenient for victims to claim rights, and more cases with victims versus 2020. Key innovations introduced by Lucido's office make it easier for crime victims to take advantage of services, while improving the productivity of crime victim advocates. A new text messaging service through the new case management system allows victims to receive hearing notices for preliminary examination hearings, trials, and other crucial information, more promptly than ever. Victims can also request updates and services via text, streamlining communication and ensuring timely support.

Lucido’s office received two National Association of Counties Achievement Awards for improving victim services: one for providing text-based access to victim rights, and another for a Warrant Appeals unit giving victims a chance for denied charges to be reconsidered.

Lucido’s team also created a welcoming and supportive environment for crime victims. A new children’s room provides a safe space for young victims and their families, while a therapy dog named Peanut offers comfort and emotional support to those in need. These additions have been instrumental in making the office more accessible and supportive for all victims.

Lucido credits his team with the success. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Victim Rights Unit, which comprises nine dedicated crime victim advocates, has played a crucial role in these advancements. A state grant covers most of the unit’s costs, enabling the office to provide a high level of service without overburdening the county's budget.

Prosecutor Lucido has been at the forefront of these improvements, providing the Crime Victim Rights Unit with more administrative support than ever before. This includes assistance with grant paperwork, budgeting, and implementing new technology. The introduction of a new case tracking system has enabled advocates to efficiently track and document the services provided. Additionally, the office has prioritized technology training for victim rights staff.

Lucido concluded, “Our mission is to ensure that every crime victim in Macomb County receives the support and services they deserve. We are committed to continually improving victim services, so that every victim feels heard, supported, and empowered, for justice to ultimately prevail."

Increasing the percentage of crime victims served, and providing more crime victim services, are not the only improvements Prosecutor Lucido has made since January 2021.  Other progress includes:
 

• Child Support Collections Increased: intensified efforts to collect child support from parents who owe $5,000 or more, successfully collecting $1 million for Macomb County children since last year under this new initiative, with most collections done while avoiding criminal prosecution.
   
• Macomb County Prosecutor Shatters Glass Ceiling: Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido hired a record number of women as assistant prosecuting attorneys, with women filling 70% of new positions in the past three years. A majority of all assistant prosecuting attorneys handling cases in the county are now women. Lucido also promoted a record number of women to lead special units within the prosecutor’s office. After implementing an objective hiring process, and a  commitment to build a diverse and inclusive team to prosecute crimes and reflect the community we serve, Lucido successfully filled all assistant prosecutor positions despite a national shortage, a rarity for an office this size.
   
• Mental Health Assessments for Gun Crime Defendants: Started a first-in-Michigan policy requiring mental health assessments as part of bond conditions in all gun crime cases, using existing resources to provide an opportunity for mental health services before a suspect gets a chance to commit another crime with a gun.
   
• Hate Crimes Unit Launched: created a Hate Crimes Unit, securing a vital U.S. Department of Justice grant paying 100% of all its costs, a distinction granted to only 16 organizations nationwide. Appointed Michigan's first and only solely-dedicated hate crimes prosecutor at a county level, ensuring robust enforcement and community education.
   
• Conviction Integrity Unit Exoneration: started this unit to investigate claims of innocence as a result of clear and convincing new evidence that the convicted defendant was not the person who committed the offense, and to review claims of factual innocence based on new evidence such as DNA.  This unit secured an exoneration.
   
• Major Crimes Unit Launched: Prosecutor Lucido organized the top-ranked assistant prosecutors to focus on major crimes, and train more APAs to handle these types of cases.
   
• Warrant Appeals Unit Launched: Established the state’s first formal prosecutor’s office unit allowing victims and law enforcement officials to have a second review of warrant requests where charges were denied.
   
• Digital Evidence Management Platform Implemented: With over 800,000 pieces of digital evidence, police agencies can now upload digital evidence, which the Prosecutor’s Office reviews, and defense lawyers can download directly, resulting in “discovery” information faster than it’s ever been provided.
   
• Increased Internships: Hosted over 200 law school and college interns. Court rules permit law student interns to handle court hearings under supervision, which helps the office serve victims and expedite cases.
   
• Paperless Crime Victim Rights: Implemented the county’s first paperless system for crime victims to request rights and notifications via text message or online.
   
• Police Training Provided: Regular training sessions by assistant prosecutors are conducted for every police agency in Macomb County, including updates on recent court cases.
   
• Enhanced Auto Theft Unit: Addressed a surge in attacks on car dealerships and manufacturing plants, prosecuting more continuing criminal enterprise cases in the past two years than in the previous decade, resulting in over $800,000 in restitution.
   
• Record number of national good government awards received:  The National Association of Counties (NaCO) presented 26 awards to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office during Lucido’s tenure.  The 12 awards received in 2024 is the highest (record) number of awards the organization has ever presented in one year.