MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – For the fifth consecutive year, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has been recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for excellence in government innovation, receiving eight Achievement Awards for 2026. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. The latest honors bring the office’s five-year total to 42 national awards since 2022, a streak that began after a more than 13-year drought of such recognition for the department.
The 2026 awards highlight a range of programs designed to improve courtroom efficiency, victim support, and public transparency, with a primary focus on cost-effective solutions. Many of the recognized initiatives were implemented using existing staff resources, federal grants, or interagency collaborations at no direct cost to Macomb County taxpayers.
“The credit goes to our talented staff who embraced a culture of change to deliver results while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. “Some staff took on extra responsibilities to modernize justice while consistently putting the needs of victims and the community first. I am also grateful for the bipartisan support of our county commissioners making this continuing success story possible.”
“Reaching 42 national awards since 2022 is an incredible milestone. We are proud to support these initiatives that enhance transparency and victim services through smart, cost-effective solutions that maintain a high standard of excellence for our residents,” said Macomb County Board Chair Joe Sabatini.
“As chair of the committee overseeing public safety, I applaud these innovative programs that tackle court delays and support crime victims,” said Commissioner Joseph V. Romano, Chair of the Records and Public Safety Committee. “The fact that many of these initiatives were funded through grants or existing resources shows that our prosecutor continues to find smart ways to enhance justice for our community.”
The eight programs recognized by NACo for 2026 include:
• From Arrears to Employment - Michigan’s First Child Support Court: A pilot program that helps parents find employment and repay arrears to avoid felony convictions, ensuring children receive consistent support.
• Fighting Court Delays - Prosecutor “Two and Through” Limits Adjournments: A first-of-its-kind initiative that limits prosecutorial consent to court delays, accelerating case resolutions for victims.
• Safe Gun Storage Saves Lives: Protecting Kids, Preventing Tragedy: A grant-funded outreach effort to prevent youth violence and accidental tragedies.
• Rapid-Response Gift Card Program Supports Crime Victims in Crisis: Funded by a state grant, this program provides immediate, emergency financial aid (such as new door locks or food) to crime victims in crisis.
• Modernizing Prosecutor - Police Data Exchange for Warrant Referrals: partnered with technology firms to redesign a digital interface that streamlines how local police submit warrant requests and criminal charge codes.
• Accessible Justice via Prosecutor Telephone Town Halls: Interactive events that have reached tens of thousands of residents to discuss topics like senior scams and child support.
• A Smarter Court Data Interface for Prosecutor Case Management: A collaborative technical fix implemented at no additional cost to ensure prosecutors have accurate, real-time hearing data from district courts, improving information access for prosecutors and crime victims.
• AI-Powered Podcast Enhances Prosecutor Transparency: A low-cost program using Google AI to narrate case updates and legal processes for the public, costing only $228 annually.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Achievement Award winning streak includes 7 awards (2022), 7 awards (2023), 12 awards (2024), 8 awards (2025), and 8 awards (2026) for a total of 42 awards.
Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized innovative county government programs across the nation. Each entry was judged on its own merits and not against other applications. The National Association of Counties says it strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees.
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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Esther E. Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Cell: 586-842-4421
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
