Michigan prosecutor Pete Lucido on reforming child support enforcement

Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido is proposing Michigan’s first child support specialty court, a pilot program aimed at helping parents behind on payments find employment, repay debt, and avoid felony convictions. The program would allow parents to plead guilty, with sentencing delayed while they complete a one-year program involving payments and employment under court oversight, potentially avoiding a felony record. The initiative would utilize existing resources like Michigan Works, requiring no new funding, and is planned to launch in Macomb County before seeking statewide expansion.