Detroit takes over prosecuting misdemeanor crimes from Wayne County

(FOX 2) - Detroit plans to absorb prosecutions of misdemeanor crimes from Wayne County, taking over cases and lightening the load on the county prosecutor.

While the city already oversees arraignments and bail decisions, the new ordinance will allow Detroit to dictate more control over cases in hopes of holding offenders accountable while pursuing more appropriate sentences.

It's "better for the police, better for law enforcement, better for the citizenry, better for the city," councilmember Scott Benson said during this week's meeting. 

Big picture view:

The Detroit City Council approved a new ordinance that will see the city take on a larger responsibility of criminal prosecutions, shifting the task from the Wayne County Prosecutor's office. 

Approved by an 8-1 margin on Tuesday, the measure was supported by both city and county officials. One member of the law department called it a "historic moment."

"We're now bringing those prosecutors closer to the people of the city of Detroit, closer to oversight by Detroit officials," said criminal enforcement chief Douglas Baker.

Council President Mary Sheffield was the lone no vote on the ordinance.

Crimes Detroit will Prosecute

The law department will prosecute nearly 20 different crimes. They include:

OBSTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT

• False statement to a police officer during an investigation,
• Failure to identify oneself to a police officer;
• Interference with City-owned communication systems prohibited,
• Refusal to allow fingerprinting;
• Assault and battery
• Domestic Violence
• Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle

OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY

• Malicious destruction of property;
• Throwing, propelling or dropping stone or object at a train, car, or vehicle
• Embezzlement by agent, servant, employee, trust, bailee, or custodian
• Larceny
• Larceny by conversion
• Larceny by false personation
• Larceny; motor vehicles or trailers
• Make, draw, utter or deliver check with non-sufficient funds
• Receive and conceal stolen goods
• Retail fraud
• Theft by false token or false pretenses

WEAPONS

• Possession of a firearm under the influence of intoxicants

Dig deeper:

To take on the larger case load, the law department will receive an additional $700,000 to their budget to hire four attorneys and two paralegals. 

Another $50,000 is expected to finance a case-tracking software. 

The city will begin prosecuting cases in July 2026.