Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido on Thursday announced a two-step plan to address gun crimes: requesting a mental health evaluation as a condition of bond for felony gun suspects, and no plea bargains that eliminate felonies on assaultive gun charges.
“If you commit an assaultive gun felony, you end up with a felony. Now is the time to come together and get something done regarding guns. The stakes are too high to play partisan politics,” said Lucido. “Now is also the time to require felony gun suspects to get a mental health evaluation as a condition of bond before they get a chance to access another gun.”
It is the practice of the Prosecutor’s Office to seek a felony conviction when a gun is used in the commission of a violent felony or when a felon is found with a gun. In these cases, nothing other than a felony charge will be accepted.
As a condition of bond in assaultive felony gun cases, assistant prosecutors will ask judges to check the box to request an assessment and recommendations by the Macomb County Community Corrections Department to help determine if defendants pose a potential risk to the community. The assessment and recommendations will help judges determine whether bond conditions should be changed, whether further evaluations should be done, mental health treatment should be required, and whether the final charges and sentence are appropriate.
The Community Corrections Dept. offers various support and treatment services for adults with mental illness. Services include, “Community Assessment/Recommendations * Felony only.” Lucido said that if this cannot be done, then the bond condition could include a mental health evaluation from any qualified, licensed mental health professional.
“Macomb County has an opportunity to be an example of coming together to finally make progress on guns with a combination of mental health treatment and tougher penalties,” said Lucido.
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