Prosecuting Attorneys Association urges more resources, highlights staffing and forensic delays

Chris Becker, Kent County Prosecutor, presented on behalf of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAM) and described several challenges prosecutors face across Michigan, including staffing shortages, disparities in indigent defense funding, case management modernization and delays at the state's forensic center.

Becker said the association is voluntary and aims to provide training, legislative review and some consistency across counties that range from small offices to large urban prosecutors' offices. He told the committee that some small counties — he cited Ontonagon — are struggling to recruit a prosecutor. "That's a big issue," he said, noting difficulties filling both elected prosecutor roles and assistant prosecutor positions in smaller or more remote counties.

On training and digital tools, Becker said PAM's statewide Carpel electronic case-management system has been a major benefit: "I can call up a case right now on my computer and look things up and be able to handle things." He thanked the Legislature for appropriating funds for Carpel. Committee members asked about compatibility with the statewide SCALE court system; Becker said PAM is in communication with SCALE and that Carpel staff "will be working with them on building that bridge."

Becker raised funding disparities in indigent defense: he said the state provided roughly $330 million for indigent defense last year while prosecutors were to receive $15 million that has not yet been distributed to prosecutors' offices. He outlined practical effects: in Kent County his office has 37 assistant prosecutors and example specialty assignments (child support, juvenile, appellate) that defender offices do not mirror, creating resource and workload differences.

Becker also described delays at the state's forensic center: "For, criminal responsibility, we're looking at about a year," he said, referring to the time to obtain a forensic examination for criminal responsibility. He said competency exams average about 90 days. Those delays, Becker said, leave defendants in jail awaiting evaluation and complicate case scheduling.

Other priorities Becker listed included support for truth-in-sentencing clarity, treatment-court funding that includes prosecutor resources, and improved redaction of victim personal information in court files to protect privacy. The association asked the Legislature to consider funding that more directly supports prosecutor participation in treatment courts and other multidisciplinary programs.

Committee members asked Becker detailed operational questions; Becker said PAM will review pending bills and consult on legislative language. The presentation concluded with the committee approving minutes and adjourning.