WASHTENAW COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

A prosecutor has filed a lawsuit to try to temporarily stop parties hosted by a fraternity at Eastern Michigan University, citing sexual assaults and excessive alcohol consumption.

On Monday, Penn and Belton each pled guilty to one count of animal abandonment/cruelty and were sentenced to one year of probation, said HSHV in a release.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office announced the establishment of a new Economic Justice Unit.

A man and a woman from Ypsilanti have been charged with beating a puppy.

“This is a survivor driven-program that survivors can choose to enter," Savit said.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office will now give crime survivors a choice in how they'd like their case to proceed.

From 8-11 .m. on Tuesday the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office will be at Bellflower in Ypsilanti doing free criminal record expungement checks.

An Ann Arbor man is facing several charges after allegedly violently assaulting a woman for being transgender -- a hate crime in the state of Michigan.

Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced on Thursday that a defendant accused of shooting a 6-year-old boy in Ypsilanti Township on Sunday is back in custody.

Unlike conventional diversion programs, eligible defendants will be able to enter the program before entering a guilty plea.

On Wednesday, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit issued a Prosecutor’s Office’s Directive on respecting the gender identity of transgender, intersex and gender-nonconforming community members.

ANN ARBOR – Ken Kenyatta Wilson was charged on Friday with a slew of felonies by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. Wilson fled police officers on Tuesday afternoon after robbing the Chase Bank at 4101 E. Ellsworth Road in Pittsfield Township, leading to a chase when the suspect crashed his vehicle in the area of US-23 and Washtenaw Ave. Wilson was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor hospital with serious injuries, but was reported to be in stable condition. (Pittsfield Charter Township Department of Public Safety)Officers recovered stolen money, several firearms and ammunition from inside his vehicle and the scene of the crash. Investigations at both the bank and the crash site were conducted by detectives, Pittsfield officers and evidence technicians.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office will no longer pursue charges against those who work consensually in the sex industry. They said that when sex work is legal, sex trafficking tended to increase and not decrease. Indeed the criminalization of sex work actually increases the risk of sex work adjacent harm. Accordingly, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office will henceforth decline to bring charges related to consensual sex work per se. READ: Human trafficking survivor takes fight for change to LansingChrissy Hemphill is an advocate for human trafficking survivors.

DETROIT – From vaccine distribution to reopening the economy and fixing worn-out infrastructure, many major projects are county responsibilities. Sunday’s episode of Flashpoint included a conversation with the county executives from Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The leaders are Oakland County Executive, David Coulter; Wayne County Executive, Warren Evans and Macomb County Executive, Mark Hackel. Jennifer Granholm who currently serves on President Joe Biden’s cabinet as secretary of energy made an appearance. Segment OneOakland County Executive, David Coulter; Wayne County Executive, Warren Evans and Macomb County Executive, Mark HackelSegment TwoSecretary of Energy and former Michigan governor, Jennifer Granholm

DETROIT – It has been a whole year since the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Michigan. On Sunday’s episode of Flashpoint we took a look at what the country and world has learned throughout the year in addition to how to move forward from this point. A new study this week found the likely reason the United States leads the world in COVID-19 deaths is because the country has the world’s most overweight population. There was also a discussion on how stakeholders in the education crisis feel about in-person learning resuming. Related: Nearly 1 year since first cases of coronavirus confirmed in MichiganSegment OneLori Higgins, Bureau Chief for Chalkboard Detroit and Chastity Pratt, Education Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal.

DETROIT – Everyone agrees that Americans need relief from the pandemic, but what kind of relief is right or might be too much? We talked about it Sunday on Flashpoint with Democratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’s 14th congressional district and Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan’s 10th congressional district. The House passed a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package early Saturday, 219-212, that includes $1,400 checks for most Americans and billions of dollars for schools, state and local governments and businesses. Both Lawrence and McClain talked about that and more. Segment OneDemocratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’s 14th congressional district and Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan’s 10th congressional district.

DETROIT – After giving his two cents at the White House, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan returned to the city to continue steering it through the pandemic. Then the “other” pandemic -- the mental health struggles of young people after a year of COVID-19. From pretty much the beginning, we’ve wondered about the toll the pandemic has been taking on all of us from a mental health standpoint. Segment OneDetroit Mayor Mike Duggan. AdSegment TwoDr. Lynn Smitherman from Wayne State University and Mary Beth Garvey, a family therapist from Grosse Pointe.

DETROIT – Sunday’s episode of Flashpoint was live and included a roundtable discussion on the historic second impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump. On Saturday, Trump was acquitted in the impeachment trial. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, author of Medicare for All: A citizen’s guide, also made an appearance and discussed the Medicare for All movement. Segment OneA roundtable discussion with Zoe Clark, co-host of It’s Just Politics on Michigan Radio; Guy Gordon, host of The Guy Gordon Show on WJR; Nolan Finley, editorial page editor of The Detroit News and Stephen Henderson, host of WDET’s Detroit Today show, on the impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump. AdSegment TwoDr. Abdul El-Sayed, author of Medicare for All: A citizen’s guideSegment ThreeHost Devin Scillian wraps up this week’s episode remembering prominent self-defense attorney, Cliff Woodards.

DETROIT – A million vaccines have been distributed in Michigan, which sounds like a lot, until you realize it isn’t nearly enough. On Sunday’s episode we turned to one of the leading authorities on vaccines. Dr. Arnold Monto, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health spoke about where we stand on vaccine distribution. And Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson puts forth her prescription for strengthening Michigan’s elections. The state leader spoke about the issue more on Sunday.

DETROIT – The United States Senate is preparing for the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Several Republican lawmakers say the proceedings are at odds with now-President Joe Biden’s articulated desire to bring the nation back together. On Sunday, we discussed the impeachment trial with U.S. We also heard from Washtenaw County’s new prosecutor Eli Savit, who has decided it will not be business as usual in the prosecutor’s office. AdSegment OneInterview with U.S. Sen. Debbie StabenowSegment TwoInterview with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli SavitSegment ThreeHost Devin Scillian wraps up this week’s episode with a round of “3 and Out”Watch Flashpoint live every Sunday at 10 a.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The juvenile justice system is no longer Washtenaw County’s go-to option when children and teens are accused of minor crimes. Since his term started, Savit has introduced sweeping policy changes to the county’s justice system, including rescinding the county’s no-tolerance policies, scrapping cash bail and combatting racial profiling. “All 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 prosecutor’s office. Petitions can be authorized by APAs if a continued threat to the safety of others is indicated or if the case is “more severe than typical school-related misbehavior.”Find the full policy directive here.

ANN ARBOR – Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit has made his mark in his first 21 days in office. “I am a believer in the justice system based on what you did and not who you are,” 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 aren’t just mini adults and we shouldn’t be trapping them in the criminal legal system for adolescent or childhood mistakes. For instance, he said he’d rather see people deal with drug use through the health system rather than the legal system.

ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office announced today a new policy aimed at combatting racial profiling. The policy directive is only applicable to “consent searches” after routine ordinance or traffic stops. “We are sending a message that we are not interested in pursuing contraband charges that stem from racial profiling. Our Policy Regarding Pretext Stops is another proactive step towards creating a criminal justice system that works for all of us. None of us are free, until we are all free.”To read the full policy directive, click here.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office will no longer pursue charges against those who work consensually in the sex industry. “We are focused on crime that really harms the community,” said Washtenaw County prosecutor Eli Savit. Charges will not be filed against consensual sex workers, officials said. The prosecutor will still work cases against human traffickers and those who may be holding people against their will. READ: Washtenaw County Prosecutor no longer pursuing charges for consensual sex work

ANN ARBOR – Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Thursday that his office will no longer press criminal charges in consensual sex work cases. Savit said that his office will continue to “vigorously pursue” sex work crimes, including sexual and physical assault, human trafficking and crimes involving children. “The criminalization of sex work actually increases the risk of sex work-adjacent harm,” reads the 8-page policy directive issued to Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys. Furthermore, research papers in the world’s leading independent medical journal, The Lancet, conclude that decriminalizing sex work can reduce new HIV infections. “Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the American Civil Liberties Union have all called for the decriminalization of sex work,” reads the directive.

Marijuana plants are pictured at the Baker's marijuana nursery at Baker Medical Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ANN ARBOR – Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Tuesday that his office will no longer bring charges in cases related to marijuana or entheogenic plant use, possession or small-scale distribution. Today, I’m pleased to announce that we'll no longer be charging cases related to marijuana or entheogenic plants (naturally occurring psychedelics). If Washtenaw County’s largest city’s resolution decriminalized the use, growth and possession of psychedelic plants, the Prosecutor’s Office sees no point in bringing charges forward elsewhere in the county. For that reason, we will no longer be contesting expungement for marijuana or entheogenic-related offenses.”See the full policy directives for cannabis and marijuana and entheogenic plants.

ANN ARBOR – Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Tuesday the launch of the “Prosecutor Transparency Project” in partnership with University of Michigan’s 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 prosecutor’s office. “We know systemic racism exists in all facets of society, and the Prosecutor’s Office is no exception. Finally, in consultation with researchers, the Prosecutor’s Office will identify metrics to track to ensure equitable treatment. He has spent years compiling and analyzing data from Michigan’s criminal justice system, was the data consultant for the CREW report and has served as Data Administrator for Michigan’s Criminal Justice Policy Commission.