Surge in Arson Cases Prompts Specialized Training for Macomb County Assistant Prosecutors

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        

October 11, 2024              

Surge in Arson Cases Prompts Specialized Training for Macomb County Assistant Prosecutors

Macomb County, MI – Arson cases in Macomb County increased from 19 cases in 2021, 21 in 2022, and a sharp spike to 39 cases in 2023. So far, 26 arson cases have already been charged in 2024, signaling a need for more effective handling and prosecution of these serious crimes. In response to this rise, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is taking proactive steps by equipping its assistant prosecutors with specialized training in arson prosecution.

Assistant Prosecutors Christopher Petrides and Maria Panchenko, attended the Michigan State Police (MSP) Arson Investigation School. The program, which pairs prosecutors with fire investigators in training, is a comprehensive and immersive experience designed to build expertise in handling arson cases. Panchenko described the experience as “exhilarating, informational, and overwhelmingly educational.”

"Arson cases present unique challenges, from the intricate fire investigations to the necessity of expert testimony in court. This training sharpens our prosecutors’ skills and ensures we can navigate these complexities with confidence, bringing about strong and successful prosecutions,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

The Arson Prosecution School works in tandem with the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation School, ensuring that both prosecutors and investigators receive hands-on experience with the scientific and legal aspects of arson cases. The training culminates in a mock trial where prosecutors refine their direct and cross-examination of fire investigation experts, using cases developed throughout the week. This collaboration gives prosecutors the tools they need to successfully introduce fire investigation evidence and certify expert witnesses in court.

“The training I received was wholly immersive and interactive. I am better equipped than I ever have been to authorize arson charges, work with fire investigators and detectives, and conduct jury trials in arson cases. The program allowed us to witness firsthand how fire investigators apply the scientific method to determine the origin and cause of a suspicious fire. We practiced handling mock cases that involved controlled burns, and we worked side-by-side with investigators as they became certified in fire investigation,” said Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Panchenko.

The program also offers an in-depth review of Michigan’s arson statutes and the latest updates to Michigan law, equipping prosecutors with the most effective strategies to handle these cases from start to finish. Participants benefit from the mentorship of seasoned professionals, including senior prosecutors, fire marshals, veteran fire investigators, arson K9 handlers, and MSP lab forensic scientists.

 “The skills this training provided are invaluable and they have real-world applications to the everyday work of an assistant prosecutor. This training has real world applications in the work we do here in Macomb County. Expert testimony can come in and be a significant factor in many cases, not just arsons. The admission of DNA, the results of drug analyses, and even firearm examinations all require the direct examination and qualification of expert witnesses. A very different type of situation compared to examining fact witnesses,” said Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Petrides.

In October 2023, Petrides returned to the Arson Investigation School as an instructor, sharing his knowledge and experience with a new class of prosecutors. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office continues to prioritize the specialized training of its team, ensuring that Macomb County remains ready to combat the rising arson cases.

"Working alongside fire investigators and seeing their methods firsthand gives our prosecutors an invaluable perspective. It’s not just about understanding the law, but about understanding the science behind fire investigations—making us better prepared to serve the people of Macomb County,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

Arson training is not the only improvement Prosecutor Lucido has made since January 2021.  Other progress includes:

• Auto Theft Unit Achieves Milestone - The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Auto Theft Unit has achieved a milestone by reducing all pending auto-related warrant requests to zero, despite handling an increased number of complex Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) cases. The Unit's progress is especially significant given the rise in CCE cases, which require more resources and involve numerous underlying crimes.
• Warrant Unit Process Faster Than Ever Before  -The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Warrant Unit has significantly improved the efficiency of processing adult warrant requests, reducing the number of pending requests to record lows, despite an increase in police submissions. The Warrant Unit focuses on expediting cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies like armed robbery and assault with intent to murder.
• Record Efficiency in Drug Unit - The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Drug Unit has reduced pending drug warrant requests to a record low of just one. The swift processing of drug cases balances public safety with rehabilitation efforts like drug courts for low-level offenders and supports the fight against the opioid crisis enhancing community safety.
• Child Protection Unit Agressively Reduced Warrants -The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Child Protection Unit has reduced pending warrant requests to 15, the lowest all year, despite a rise in sexual assault cases. This  unit’s efficiency and dedication, ensures quicker case resolutions for victims while holding offenders accountable.
• Child Support Collections Increased: intensified efforts to collect child support from parents who owe $5,000 or more, successfully collecting $1.3 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.
• Record Set for Fast Domestic Violence Warrant Processing:  the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is processing domestic violence warrant requests more efficiently than ever, a significant improvement compared to the years before Lucido took office when warrant requests seeking domestic violence charges for out-of-custody defendants could accumulate.
• Victim services improved 67%: More Macomb County crime victims get more help. The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office increased by ⅔ the percentage of crime victims receiving crucial support services compared to 2020, the year before Lucido took office. More victims now receive victim rights services, including but not limited to assigned victim advocates, help getting restitution, hearing notices or other kinds of support.
• Criminal charge requests for juveniles reviewed faster than ever:  The Juvenile Unit is now authorizing or denying petitions at an unprecedented speed, with the number of pending requests reduced to the lowest levels in recent memory, supporting the broader goal of rehabilitating young offenders and protecting vulnerable children.
• 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 last year. 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 assistant prosecutors to handle these types of cases.
• Warrant Appeals Unit Launched: Established the state’s first formal prosecutor’s office unit allowing domestic violence victims (and all other crime 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.
  
   

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