Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido is taking aim at Michigan’s staggering $5.6 billion in unpaid child support debt with a new program that focuses on getting parents back to work instead of simply locking them up.
Lucido announced plans to launch Michigan’s first-ever Child Support Specialty Court, a pilot program designed to connect parents with jobs, help them pay down arrears, and avoid felony convictions that can derail their futures.
Wayne County has about $3.5 billion in unpaid child support, while Macomb County’s total is roughly $312 million.
Under current law, parents who owe $5,000 or more can be charged with a felony, carrying a penalty of up to four years. Lucido says this system often makes it even harder for struggling parents to secure employment and pay what they owe.
Instead, the specialty court will allow defendants to plead guilty, delay sentencing for a year, and earn a dismissal by working, making payments, and staying in compliance with court orders.
“I don’t want no felony on your record,” Lucido said. “I’m going to make you sign an agreement, and it’s called the Child Support Specialty Court… no different than our Mental Health Court, our Substance Abuse Court, our Sobriety Court, our Drug Court — and now the Child Support Specialty Court.”
Lucido says bond payments will also go directly toward children owed support.
So if a parent owes $10,000 in child support, they will need to pay 25% of that amount — $2,500 — to bond out of jail. That bond money will immediately be applied to their outstanding child support balance.
Lucido emphasized that this program does not require additional taxpayer funding.
“We already have a court system. We already have a prosecutor’s office. We already have a Friend of the Court system that calculates the payments. We already have a probation department,” Lucido said.
A cornerstone of the initiative is the partnership with Michigan Works, which has thousands of open jobs across the state. The program will help parents get jobs, including skilled trades training for those who want to become welders, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers.
“Michigan Works is right there to plug in with those individuals that can’t find jobs — even soft felons,” Lucido said. “You try to call a plumber today, you might have to wait three weeks. There is an urgency when your toilet doesn’t flush.”
The court will hold Zoom hearings, even scheduling them during participants’ lunch breaks so they don’t have to miss work or spend money on gas.
Employers will send reports when participants no-show or fail to call in. Judges can respond immediately to get them back on track — or take stronger action if needed.
“If we have somebody who doesn’t call and doesn’t report and doesn’t care, what is it that we should do?” Lucido asked, noting that Michigan spends nearly $10 billion each year supporting children through state programs. “If they can work, they must work. It’s a moral obligation.”
Lucido has made compliance the priority. He pointed to a past enforcement effort that collected over $3.3 million in three years with just two lawyers and a small staff.
“All we want is compliance. Compliance. Compliance. If they come in voluntarily and start to pay… we’ll leave them alone,” he said.
Those who refuse to cooperate could still face arrest (thousands already made), but Lucido noted that public pressure works: posting arraignment photos on social media has driven many delinquent parents to come forward voluntarily.
Lucido says the ultimate goal is stronger families and better outcomes for children.
“We don’t want you in jail. We don’t want you not working. We don’t want another felony on your record,” he said. “Get your butts in here and let’s get this thing worked out because that’s what we’re here to do. And under the law, you must comply.”
