Macomb County has expanded its existing video arraignment system to work outside of the county borders.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said it’s the result of a partnership with the state of Michigan that enables the courts to conduct judicial arraignments of in-custody defendants who are being held at local lockups, county jails, or statewide prison facilities.
The technology will use the county’s two-way interactive video system to connect with judicial proceedings conducted with parties at remote locations, he said, thereby eliminating the need to transport prisoners to court. Macomb County has been using this type of system for in-county cases for several years; now the technology can be used statewide.
“The expansion of this technology will greatly improve the way our Macomb County courts will be able to interact with other court systems throughout the state,” Hackel said.
The new service was funded by the state and has been implemented in a joint effort involving the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), the 16th Judicial Circuit, Macomb County Probate courts, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s Information Technology Department.
Benefits include enhanced security as a result of reducing or eliminating the need for prisoner transports and expediting the arraignment process, thereby saving time and money and reducing the county’s risk and liability., according to Hackel.
For example, a defendant held in a northern Michigan jail needed in a Macomb County courtroom would typically require two deputies and a county vehicle to travel several hundred miles to transport the prisoner back to appear before a Macomb County judge.
After the hearing is completed, the defendant would be housed overnight in the Macomb County Jail, and then returned the following day.
The new system allows for the arraignment (and possibly a plea and sentencing as well) to occur within a matter of minutes without the defendant leaving a secure facility.
“In the current economic climate, our citizens expect and demand more efficient and effective government — and rightfully so,” said former Macomb County Circuit Court Chief Judge David Viviano, who now serves on the Michigan Supreme Court. “We are grateful for the support and cooperation we received from SCAO, the Sheriff’s Office and the IT Department, which was essential for this project to be successful.”
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony said use of interactive video conference technology “help us save money, operate more efficiently and improve security at the
court.
The initial phase of the project launched late last year included installation of three video systems within the Macomb County Circuit and Probate courts.
The second phase of the project, launched last month, expanded the service to other district courts and law enforcement agencies in the county.
The participating district courts include 42-1 (Romeo), 42-2 (New Baltimore), 41-A (Shelby Township) and 41-B (Clinton Township).
Participating law enforcement agencies include the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Chesterfield Township and Utica.
The final phase of the project will bring this technology to the remaining courts and law enforcement agencies in Macomb County.
In addition to providing cost savings and efficiencies to Macomb County, Hackel said expanded use of video arraignment technology also provides cost-savings to the Michigan Department of Corrections by reducing the need to transport prisoners from state facilities and it provides reciprocal opportunities for cost-savings in other jurisdictions utilizing the system as well.
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