Oxford father arraigned on Failure to Pay Child Support charge

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. - Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that 51-year-old Joachim Dorris, of Oxford, Michigan, was arraigned on one count of failing to pay child support after finding that he had the ability to pay and all efforts to work with him on payment options were exhausted.

On August 4, 2022, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Rachel Rancilio ordered Dorris to pay child support. It is alleged that Dorris failed to comply with the court’s order. It is further alleged that he accrued a child support arrearage of $13,772.38 with the last payment made in March 2024. There has been one show cause hearing and one bench warrant issued to obtain compliance. 

After determining that Dorris has the ability to pay, and with no enforcement options remaining or being effective, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charged Dorris with the following:

• Failure to Pay Child Support, a felony, which carries a potential penalty of up to four years in prison. 

This is the maximum criminal charge available based upon the evidence presented to date.

On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Dorris was arraigned before Magistrate Ryan Zemke in the 41-B District Court in Clinton Township, MI. Magistrate Zemke set Dorris’s bond at $3,443.00, cash only. 

Dorris is scheduled for a Probable Cause Conference before Judge Sebastian Lucido at the 41-B District Court on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

“Court-ordered child support exists to ensure that children receive the financial stability and care they are entitled to. When those obligations are not met, it is the children who bear the burden. My office remains committed to enforcing these orders, pursuing all available legal remedies, and holding non-compliant parties accountable so that children’s needs are protected and prioritized,” said Peter J. Lucido.

Prosecutor Lucido proposed the creation of a Child Support Specialty Court, a pilot program aimed at helping parents behind on child support payments find work, pay arrears and avoid felony convictions. “Our goal is simple: get children the support they’re owed while addressing the barriers that keep parents from paying,” Lucido said. The pilot court has launched and is working with individuals as they seek acceptance into the program.

Under Lucido’s direction, the office has focused on securing compliance rather than simply filing charges. The Family Division of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office oversees felony nonsupport cases where arrears exceed $5,000, payments have not been made for three consecutive months, and there is evidence that the noncustodial parent has the financial means to pay. 

Since 2022, the division successfully collected nearly $5.4 million for children from delinquent parents.

For assistance with starting a child support case, contact the Office of Child Support at (866) 540-0008.

For cases involving arrears of $5,000 or more, reach out to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Family Division at (586) 493-4488. Please note: the Prosecutor’s Office can only speak directly with the person who owes or is owed child support.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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