New Jobs Court would hand nonviolent offenders a paycheck instead of jail sentence – By Paul Egan (Detroit Free Press) / Nov 3 2021
LANSING — State officials on Wednesday announced plans for a new Jobs Court designed to land nonviolent offenders in gainful employment, instead of jail.
For certain low-level crimes, offenders would get a job with decent pay instead of a jail sentence. If they stay employed for a year, or whatever length of time a judge prescribes, the charges can then be dismissed.
Attorney General Dana Nessel and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist announced the proposal in Detroit Wednesday. It is part of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s broader MI Safe Communities plan.
The proposal, which would require the Legislature’s approval, calls for a $5.5-million pilot project for up to 450 eligible defendants in Wayne, Genesee and Marquette counties, Nessel’s office said in a news release.
