Wayne County Prosecutor Discusses Recent Developments and Challenges
Detroit – Kym Worthy, Wayne County prosecutor, recently addressed numerous issues facing her office during an interview, highlighting the upcoming opening of a new Criminal Justice Complex, significant legal changes, and the challenges posed by new crime trends.
New Criminal Justice Complex
Worthy opened up about the excitement surrounding a new Criminal Justice Center, which she believes will streamline operations and improve interactions for the public. Located in a single building that includes the county sheriff’s office, a court tower, and a jail, she described it as a “one-stop shopping” center for all criminal justice services.
The complex is designed with modern technology, addressing some longstanding challenges. Worthy emphasized that past difficulties, like poor internet connections at their former location, would be resolved in this new facility. A significant perk is that parking will be free for staff and jurors, which has long been a source of frustration.
“We’re very excited about the ability to potentially have food trucks on site for our staff and jurors,” Worthy said, further illustrating her office’s effort to make the new center comfortable and functional.
Challenges in Staffing and Budgeting
As the office gears up for another budget season, Worthy shared that the office has successfully filled many positions. She noted an innovative hiring strategy that involves bringing in law students before they graduate, allowing them to start working shortly after passing the bar exam.
However, Worthy expressed concerns about the new bar exam system, called the Universal Bar Exam (UBE). She mentioned that the recent passage rate for this exam was alarming at just 37% statewide, indicating potential difficulties for the office in maintaining adequate staffing levels of assistant prosecutors.
Changes in Michigan Law
Worthy also touched on recent changes to Michigan’s laws regarding sentencing, probation, and bail. She indicated that while the legislation has aimed to create a fairer process, there remain ongoing challenges with how some judges set bonds. “There should be no cash bail for lower-level misdemeanors,” she stated, emphasizing that while violent offenders should likely remain incarcerated, issues persist with judges’ decisions in various cases.
Worthy has called into question the appropriateness of bail set for serious offenses, pointing out that more often than not, defendants charged with serious crimes such as first-degree murder should not be seeing bond at all.
Changing Crime Trends
The prosecutor also discussed troubling trends in crime rates post-pandemic, particularly concerning road safety and violence levels. She noted an increase in reckless driving behaviors, such as drag racing and extreme speeding, which have contributed to many tragic accidents.
“It seems that during the pandemic, when there were fewer cars on the road, some people took that as a license to drive recklessly,” Worthy observed, reinforcing a connection between the pandemic environment and shifts in driver behavior.
Assaults on Law Enforcement
When asked about the increasing reports of assaults on police officers, Worthy acknowledged the concerning spike but clarified that the recent series of incidents is not typical. She highlighted that while some of the offenders are repeat offenders, there are existing laws in place to handle such situations.
Focus on Rape Kits and Gun Safety
On a more positive note, Worthy shared updates regarding the handling of rape kits, expressing satisfaction that all 844 identified serial rapists from tested kits have been processed, with 257 resulting in convictions. There has been significant progress in addressing these serious cases, which she emphasized as a priority.
Worthy also discussed the implications of new gun safety laws, underscoring the importance of secure gun storage in homes where children are present, citing concerns over child access to firearms. Her office has begun charging adults who fail to secure firearms appropriately, a move she believes is crucial for the safety of children.
The Future and Technology
As technology advances, Worthy noted the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in prosecutorial work. She highlighted ongoing efforts to understand and harness AI’s capabilities, particularly in relation to handling sensitive cases, such as those involving social media exploitation.
Worthy recognized the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about the direction her office is heading. She concluded by stressing the need for continuous efforts in maintaining justice and adapting to the evolving landscape of crime and law enforcement.
