Mt. Clemens, MI – The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office earned eight 2025 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), leading the state.
The national awards recognize innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
The Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido since 2021, has steadily built a reputation for modernizing criminal justice services and improving access to justice. Lucido’s office has earned 34 NACo awards over the last four years. This year’s eight awards add to a growing list of national recognitions for the office, which earned 12 awards last year and seven in both 2023 and 2022.
This year, NACo presented a total of 21 achievement awards to counties in the state of Michigan. Macomb County received 14 awards with eight (8) of them being won by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. Not one other prosecutor’s office, representing 83 counties in the State of Michigan, won an award.
Prosecutor Lucido credited his office’s success to the dedication of his team and strong partnerships across county government.
“These awards show what’s possible when people come together around a purpose greater than themselves, working in a bipartisan way with county commissioners to serve the greater good,” Lucido said. “I hope our work demonstrates that anyone, whether in public service or the community, can help create positive change. I hope it inspires others to step forward and make a difference wherever they are. It starts with listening, working together, and staying focused on what matters most: improving people’s lives.”
“I’m extremely pleased to see the Prosecutor’s Office being recognized nationally for its commitment to justice and public safety,” said Macomb County Board of Commissioner’s Chair Joe Sabatini. “These awards demonstrate innovation, and a clear focus on delivering results for the people of Macomb County.”
The awards recognized programs in the category of Criminal Justice and Public Safety. Several initiatives focused on strengthening the integrity of the criminal justice system, including faster sharing of discovery materials, improved digital evidence tracking, and outreach to incarcerated individuals about their right to wrongful conviction review. Other programs focused on preventing youth violence, improving victim services, correcting criminal history records, and increasing election safety through specialized training.
“I commend the Prosecutor’s Office for earning these national honors,” said Macomb County Commissioner Joseph V. Romano, chair of the Records and Public Safety Committee. “These recognitions show that Prosecutor Lucido and his team are doing public service right, with collaboration and a real commitment to keeping our communities safe.”
The NACo Achievement Awards, established in 1970, recognize county programs across 18 service areas, from health and human services to civic engagement and criminal justice. Each nomination is judged on its own merits, not in competition with others.
“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore in a written statement. “This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office was recognized for the following programs:
Closing the Gap – Tagging Orphaned Digital Evidence for Justice
Launched in 2023, this program tackles the growing challenge of managing an overwhelming volume of digital evidence, particularly the difficulty of properly tagging and assigning files from law enforcement. By ensuring every piece of evidence is accurately cataloged and connected to the correct case, the initiative safeguards constitutional rights, supports timely justice, and strengthens the integrity of the legal process.
Delivering Justice Faster – Macomb County’s Same-Day Discovery Innovation
This program speeds up the delivery of discovery materials to defense attorneys, with most requests now fulfilled within one business day. By reducing case delays and increasing public transparency through online tracking, it promotes faster case resolutions and better outcomes for victims and defendants.
Empowering Survivors: Crime Victim Resource Symposium Series
Held annually during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, this event connects survivors with prosecutors, law enforcement, and service agencies. The free symposium provides trauma-informed resources, expert guidance, and a supportive environment for healing, trust, and empowerment.
Enhancing Election Safety – Preparing Officials to Handle Security Threats
In response to heightened concerns about election safety, this training program equips law enforcement and election officials with the tools to respond to security threats, conduct tabletop exercises, and ensure safe, intimidation-free voting environments.
Enhancing Public Access to Justice Through Live Website Chat
A live chat feature on the prosecutor’s website allows real-time communication between residents and office staff. Victims, witnesses, and the public can now get answers, confirm hearing dates, and ask questions without phone calls or office visits.
JPAY Outreach – Innovating Justice Through Wrongful Conviction Review
Using Michigan’s prison messaging system, this outreach effort notified nearly 33,000 incarcerated individuals of their right to request a wrongful conviction review. Developed by the office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, the initiative improved access to justice without requiring additional funding.
Prosecutor’s Video Contest Empowers Students to Prevent School Violence
The annual “Knocking Violence Out of My School” video contest encourages students to promote anti-violence messages through creative, peer-driven media. Winners receive awards, and their schools are recognized for leadership in school safety.
Streamlining Law Enforcement Through TCN Identification Program
This initiative corrects missing or inaccurate Transaction Control Numbers (TCNs) in criminal records, improving the accuracy of criminal histories. By fixing errors in law enforcement data, the program benefits victims, defendants, prosecutors, and the courts alike.
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Macomb County Prosecutor's Office
Contact: Esther Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Cell: 586-842-4421
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
