Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners create new positions for Sheriffโs Office, Prosecutorโs Office
WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. โ Washtenaw County is looking to fill three new positions in the Washtenaw County Sheriffโs Office and Washtenaw County Prosecutorโs Office. โAs a Board, we are committed to supporting efforts to increase the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in Washtenaw County,โ said Sue Shink, Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Commissioner for District 2, in a release. โThe Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will build on the racial equity work already being done by the county,โ said Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton in a release. Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion / Deflection ProsecutorWithin the Washtenaw County Prosecutorโs Office, this role will oversee all cases that have been diverted through the LEADD program, track program participant progress and ensure participant needs are addressed. Program CoordinatorWorking in the Washtenaw County Sheriffโs Office, the program coordinator is responsible for daily operations of the LEADD program, including coordinating with community partners to design, implement, and sustain program activities.
โOur justice system needs to treat kids like kids:โ Washtenaw County Prosecutor wonโt charge juveniles accused of minor crimes
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ The juvenile justice system is no longer Washtenaw Countyโs go-to option when children and teens are accused of minor crimes. Since his term started, Savit has introduced sweeping policy changes to the countyโs justice system, including rescinding the countyโs no-tolerance policies, scrapping cash bail and combatting racial profiling. โAll of this gives rise to a simple conclusion: Our justice system needs to treat kids like kids. Fights involving injuries and/or weapons on or off school property will be dealt with at the discretion of the prosecutorโs office. Petitions can be authorized by APAs if a continued threat to the safety of others is indicated or if the case is โmore severe than typical school-related misbehavior.โFind the full policy directive here.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit talks vision, policy change in first weeks in office
ANN ARBOR โ Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit has made his mark in his first 21 days in office. โI am a believer in the justice system based on what you did and not who you are,โ said Savit. Three days later, Savit put Washtenaw County on the map by making it the first county in Michigan to scrap cash bail. Kids arenโt just mini adults and we shouldnโt be trapping them in the criminal legal system for adolescent or childhood mistakes. For instance, he said heโd rather see people deal with drug use through the health system rather than the legal system.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit launches transparency project with U-M, ACLU
ANN ARBOR โ Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Tuesday the launch of the โProsecutor Transparency Projectโ in partnership with University of Michiganโs Law School and the ACLU of Michigan. The project, which begins immediately, aims to uncover possible racial inequities by analyzing data surrounding decision-making by the prosecutorโs office. โWe know systemic racism exists in all facets of society, and the Prosecutorโs Office is no exception. Finally, in consultation with researchers, the Prosecutorโs Office will identify metrics to track to ensure equitable treatment. He has spent years compiling and analyzing data from Michiganโs criminal justice system, was the data consultant for the CREW report and has served as Data Administrator for Michiganโs Criminal Justice Policy Commission.
Bills to limit incarceration advance in Michigan Legislature
One bill focuses on keeping those with minor violations, such as failure to appear in court, out of jail by eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing in certain cases. The repercussions for failing to appear are a heavy burden for many, said Sen. Sylvia Santana, who sponsored the legislation. The Legislature has heard for two years from jail officials and others involved in criminal justice about inefficiencies and shortcomings. The legislation would require a court to promptly notify the state health department when a juvenile is taken into custody for violating certain court orders. Courts would be required to hold a hearing to determine whether a juvenile violated a court order and where to place the juvenile.