The task force conducted a yearlong study revealing low level crime arrests for driving infractions, probation violations, and misdemeanors accounts for a jail population that has tripled within 40 years. | Stock photo
The task force conducted a yearlong study revealing low level crime arrests for driving infractions, probation violations, and misdemeanors accounts for a jail population that has tripled within 40 years. | Stock photo
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a package of criminal justice reform bills created by a diverse group of bipartisan lawmakers, members of the public, and community stakeholders.
The Michigan Joint Task Force, led by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, both Democrats, sought to reshape Michigan's justice system by prioritizing alternatives to incarceration for low-level offenders who do not pose a risk to the public. The task force conducted a yearlong study revealing low level crime arrests for driving infractions, probation violations, and misdemeanors accounts for a jail population that has tripled within 40 years. This has exhausted resources, but did not have a measurable impact on making communities safer, a Michigan Courts news release reported.
“As a former prosecutor, I recognize how critical it is to take steps toward a smarter and more equitable justice system that not only saves taxpayer money, but keeps people in their communities,” Whitmer said in a press release.
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II
| By Cjh1452000/Wikimedia Commons
The 20 bills that became law in 2020 eliminate license suspensions for certain violations, reclassifies some traffic misdemeanors as civil infractions, reduces specific probation terms. In turn, it eliminates mandatory minimums for violations pertaining to the Motor Vehicle Code, Public Health Code, the School Code and others, the Michigan Courts said.
“We all want a stronger, safer, and more free country," Lee Chatfield (R-Levering), Michigan Speaker of the House, said, the Michigan Courts reported. "That requires smart reforms like these to hold people accountable without setting them up to fail.”
These new jail reform laws will help foster public trust in the Michigan judicial system, McCormack said.
"We developed a broader vision of a justice system focused on accountability and repair that works for everyone," she said.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) helped create the Task Force in 2019 to help position the state of Michigan as a national leader of jail reform.
“This is not reactionary policy,” Shirkey told the Michigan Courts. “It’s thoughtful and purposeful (and) these bills are rooted in data and informed by research..."
For more information on these bills and their chief sponsors, visit the Michigan state courts website.
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