For the first time in history the City of Detroit will prosecute certain misdemeanor crimes instead of relying on the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. City Council voted 8 to 1 this week to approve the change which shifts nearly 20 types of misdemeanor offenses under Detroit’s Law Department beginning in July 2026.
The new list of crimes that Detroit will take over includes assault and battery, domestic violence, larceny including theft of motor vehicles, retail fraud, embezzlement, carrying a firearm while under the influence, leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, false personation, check fraud, and obstruction crimes such as refusing to be fingerprinted or giving false statements to police.
City officials argue the move will bring accountability closer to home while freeing up county prosecutors to focus more heavily on violent felonies. “This change allows us to take ownership of cases that directly affect the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett said. “It will also give us the ability to move these cases more quickly through the courts.”
The city has already approved $700,000 to fund the new unit which will include four attorneys and two paralegals. Another $50,000 will be used to purchase case-tracking software. Under the new arrangement fines from misdemeanor cases will stay in Detroit instead of being sent to the state.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has voiced support for the plan noting that her office is overwhelmed with felony cases. “This will allow our office to devote more resources to the serious crimes that impact public safety the most,” Worthy said.
Council President Mary Sheffield cast the lone “no” vote against the ordinance citing concerns about budget priorities. Still the overwhelming approval means the plan is moving forward and Detroit is on track to become one of the few cities in the nation that directly prosecutes its own misdemeanor cases.
The program officially begins in July of 2026.
