Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
The Wayne County Jail has seen a dramatic decline in inmates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napolean stated that the only people left that are currently in custody at Wayne County Jail are those who are charged with felonies and those who pose some sort of public safety threat. The jail population has been reduced by over 400 inmates since early March. As of March 10, the Wayne County Jail population was almost 1,400 inmates. Now the current jail population at Wayne County is approximately 950 inmates. Currently, if someone is in custody on a misdemeanor charge, it is likely that they are charged with domestic violence or some other sort of assaultive or dangerous crime. The County Jail and Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office are doing regular checkups on every individual case to determine who needs to be in custody and who doesn’t. The final determination of this, as always, resides with a judge or magistrate who can set bond and bond conditions.
Reduced Arrests And Police Activity
Fewer arrests are being made due to the state shelter in place order, along with a reduction in overall police activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is all part of an initiative from Wayne County to reduce the jail population and steer people away from this virus which spreads from close, person to person contact. These releases have been ordered administratively, without the need for a typical bond hearing in front of a judge or magistrate. For the remaining inmates, the County expects that massive push in emergency bond motions will be filed to address each remaining case in terms of bond and release. If you have a loved one who is currently in custody at Wayne County or any other jail, they might be eligible to be released due to the health and safety concerns of the current pandemic. It is imperative to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately to file any relevant motions and get in front of a judge or magistrate to see if a release is possible. The danger inside a jail currently can far outweigh the risk of an inmate being out of custody because of COVID-19. Those who need a bondsman can also find out more information here.
Defense Attorneys Calling Jail A ‘Death Sentence’
The ability to social distance and remain clean and hygienic is simply not a real option in most cases when it comes to jails and prisons. Wayne County Jail is no exception. Social distancing is functionally impossible and the apparent ease in which the virus spreads can be a death sentence for many inmates. The Wayne County Sheriff’s office recently confirmed its first positive COVID-19 test for an inmate and there are over 100 employees who have been confirmed to have contracted the virus. Two staffers have died due to COVID-19 as of this writing. Oakland County was the first to have an inmate die from COVID-19, Macomb County Jail followed with their own death of an inmate due to the virus. The Michigan Department of Corrections has also suffered the loss of a prisoner after contracting COVID-19. Health care issues are common in jails and on a normal day, a typical jail has problems meeting the medical needs of its inmates. The current pandemic has made a difficult situation even more so. Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wrigglesworth told the media that, “jails aren’t built for mass quarantine.”
Any Further Questions?
If you have any additional questions relating to an emergency bond motion or anything else related to criminal law, then we are happy to offer a FREE consultation. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal charge or is currently being investigated for a possible criminal charge, then it is important to seek the advice and counsel of an attorney immediately. At Grabel & Associates, we have over 100 years of combined experience in successfully representing clients in both federal and state court respectively. We are a criminal defense firm, it’s all we do. We are available by phone on our 24/7 defense line at 1-800-342-7896. You can contact us online or come visit us at one of our three statewide offices. We can also come to you.