2017 ANNUAL REPORT. Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Submitted by: Ronald J. Frantz Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney

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1 217 ANNUAL REPORT Office of the Prosecuting Attorney Submitted by: Ronald J. Frantz Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 217 felony caseload increased by 8.6% over the 216 level (1,422 cases in 217, compared to 1,39 cases in 216). Major felony crime categories showing significant increases during 217 were Breaking and Entering (up 44.4%, 14 cases), Weapons Offenses (up 1.3%, 64 cases), and Drug Cases (up 24.8%, 1,367 cases). The most significant decreases were in Criminal Sexual Conduct (down 9%, 61 cases) and Arson (down 6%, 2 cases). Our Felony Child Support Enforcement Program activity, while up 87% in 217 (99 cases), peaked in 214 (27 cases) and has fluctuated at significantly lower levels as referrals from the Friend of the Court have diminished. The total misdemeanor caseload increased by 7.9% in 217 (6,771 cases). Juvenile crime, as represented by petitions filed by our office, increased by 4.6% (768 delinquency petitions). Total criminal caseload (combined felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile statistics) increased by 7.7% (8,961 cases in 217). This total represents a deviation from the generally downward trend seen over most of the last decade, yet is still significantly lower than when crime totals exceeded 12, cases in 26. In 217 three homicides occurred. The first was a stabbing incident occurring during an argument in a mobile home park in Allendale Township. The female suspect was convicted of second degree murder. In the second, a Holland man was charged with murder in the domestic violence stabbing of his girlfriend. Finally, in late December a Crockery Township resident was arrested and charged with fatally shooting his neighbor while she was operating her snow blower. The latter two suspects await trial for murder in Circuit Court. Gang violence and organized gang activity remain markedly decreased since the successful federal prosecutions of several dozen members of the Latin King gang leadership in 213 and 214. Our Domestic Violence caseload increased by 2.2% in 217 (458 cases). Despite this increase, Domestic Violence levels have generally been declining since 211, due in part to the efforts of the Lakeshore Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and other groups which actively promote prevention and offer improvements in serving Domestic Violence victims and offenders. Our court-based Domestic Violence offender treatment initiative also seeks to reduce recidivism and better serve victims through the court process. Our District and Circuit Drug/Sobriety Courts continue to accept drug and/or alcohol dependent offenders using a treatment court model. Holland has added a Mental Health Court, using the treatment court concept to address the needs of offenders suffering from mental disorders. An additional Drug Court docket was added in 217. The Sobriety Courts is planning a similar expansion in 218. The prosecutor is a part of each team, selecting offenders for the programs and monitoring their success. The Children s Advocacy Center has been providing age-appropriate services for sexually abused children for the last twenty years. This nationally accredited center conducted 461 forensic interviews of children suspected of being sexual assault victims in 217 (as compare to 356 interviews in 216). Our relatively low crime rate continues as an outgrowth of our collective community conscience and well-functioning criminal justice system. Respectfully submitted, Ronald J. Frantz, Prosecuting Attorney 2

3 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Ottawa County Prosecutor s Office is to preserve and improve the quality of life for Ottawa County residents by promoting lawful conduct and enhancing safety and security through diligent efforts to detect, investigate, and prosecute criminal offenses in Ottawa County. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROSECUTOR aattorney The prosecuting attorney is the chief law enforcement officer for Ottawa County. The Office was created by the Michigan Constitution. The responsibilities and authority of the Prosecutor are established by common law, statute, court rule, and appellate case law. In recent years changing attitudes in the courts and state legislature have significantly altered the traditional role of the Prosecutor. While adult and juvenile criminal matters still represent the major portion of the prosecution effort, a growing list of additional responsibilities has placed larger demands on prosecution resources. Nevertheless, we provide all mandated services, maximizing our efficiency by offering specialty services to crime victims and law enforcement. These specialties include the Family Court Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, Victim s Rights Unit, an Appellate Specialist, and a Law Enforcement Training Assistant. Additional duties of the Prosecutor include serving as the chairman of the Community Corrections Advisory Board. The Prosecutor also serves on the boards or oversight committees of the Children s Advocacy Center, West Michigan Enforcement Team, Lakeshore Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Ottawa Area Law Enforcement Leadership Committee, Human Services Council of Ottawa County, U. S. Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, Child Death Review Team, and the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan. 3

4 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Ronald J. Frantz.. Prosecuting Attorney Lee Fisher... Chief Assistant Prosecutor Gregory J. Babbitt.....Senior Attorney, Appeals Division Sarah Matwiejczyk.... Senior Attorney/Training Division Amy Chidester and Elizabeth Kuechenmeister...Office Managers 4

5 ATTORNEY STAFF GREGORY J. BABBITT, Grand Valley State University, B.S.; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.; 37 years of prosecution experience. JUANITA F. BOCANEGRA, Grand Valley State University, B.A.; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.; 7 years of prosecution experience, and 3 years civil experience. LEE F. FISHER, Western Michigan University, B.S.; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.; 29 years of prosecution experience. RONALD J. FRANTZ, Kalamazoo College, B.A.; Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D.; 41 years of prosecution experience. JOELLEN HAAS, Indiana University, B.A.; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.; 15 years of prosecution experience. MEGHAN HURLEY, University of Buffalo, B.S.; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.; 1 years of prosecution experience. JACOB JENISON, Central Michigan University, B.S.; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.; 5 years of prosecution experience. PAUL KRAUS, Drake University, B.A. & B.S.E.; The University of Iowa, J.D.; 13 years of prosecution experience. SARAH F. MATWIEJCZYK, Michigan State University, James Madison College, B.A.; Michigan State University Detroit College of Law, J.D.; 17 years of prosecution experience. JOHN R. SCHEUERLE, Michigan State University, B.A.; Detroit College of Law, J.D.; 19 years of prosecution experience. JAY TUBERGEN, Grand Valley State University, B.S.; Michigan State University College of Law, J.D.; 7 years of prosecution experience. EDUARDO VELAZQUEZ-HERNANDEZ, Carleton College, B.A.; Notre Dame College of Law, J.D.; 19 years of prosecution experience. 5

6 SUPPORT STAFF CRIMINAL DIVISION Ashlie Boerma... Legal Assistant II Teresa Brolick. Legal Clerk Soonja Hixon.. Legal Assistant II Mallory Jewell.. Legal Assistant III Brittany Lund..... Legal Assistant III Amy McSpadden... Legal Assistant I Lauren Throne... Legal Assistant II Sarah VanderPloeg... Legal Assistant II FAMILY COURT DIVISION Juvenile & Probate Court Jennifer Rasch..... Legal Assistant II VICTIM ASSISTANCE UNIT Joan Grillo Senior Victim Advocate Kristin Caron....Victim Advocate Jacquelyn Hilgeman...Victim Advocate DOMESTIC ASSAULT UNIT Jennifer Gustafson Violence Intervention Officer 6

7 CRIMINAL CASELOAD 2, 1,5 1,542 Felonies 1,419 1,42 1,378 1,411 1,281 1,39 1,385 1,39 1,422 1, 5 Adult Felony Cases: 216: 1,39 217: 1, % increase 1, Misdemeanors 8, 6, 7,495 7,159 6,646 5,944 6,324 6,11 6,4 5,648 6,274 6,771 4, 2, Adult Misdemeanors: 216: 6, : 6, % increase 2, Juvenile Delinquency Petitions 1,5 1, 1,34 1,363 1,274 1,191 1,182 1, Juvenile Delinquency: 216: : % increase 7

8 TOTAL CRIME STATISTICS 12, 1, 8, 6, 4, 2, Felonies Misdemeanors Juvenile Petitions Total Crime Total Crime (combined): 216: 8, : 8, % Increase 8

9 CRIME CATEGORIES All categories reported for adult crime data only Felony Drunk Driving Felony Drunk Driving: 216: : % increase 1, Misdemeanor Drunk Driving Misdemeanor Drunk Driving: 216: : % increase 1,6 1,4 1,2 1, Drugs 1,367 1, Drug Cases: 216: 1,95 217: 1, % increase 9

10 CRIME CATEGORIES CONTINUED Criminal Sexual Conduct Criminal Sexual Conduct: 216: : 61 9% decrease Domestic Violence Domestic Violence: 216: : % increase 1 9 Arson Arson: 216: 5 217: 2 6% decrease 1

11 CRIME CATEGORIES CONTINUED Breaking & Entering Breaking & Entering: 216: : % increase Property Property: 216: : % increase Robbery Robbery: 216: : 16 no change 11

12 CRIME CATEGORIES CONTINUED Weapons Offenses Weapons Offenses: 216: : % increase 3 25 Failure to Pay Child Support Failure to Pay Child Support: 216: : 99 87% increase 12

13 ADDITIONAL STATISTICS Category % Change: Criminal Division: Felony Trials Jury: % Non-Jury: 5 1 (8%) Misdemeanor Trials Jury: % Non-Jury: (11.1%) Civil Infraction Non-Jury Trials (15%) Family Division: Abuse/Neglect Jury: 1 1% Non-Jury: (2.7%) Appeals Filed: % Applications for Leave to Appeal: % Appeals Pending Decision: 13 1 (23.1%) Parole Reviews: (28.1%) Child Abuse & Neglect Cases: (1.8%) Crime Victim s Rights Felony % Misdemeanor % Juvenile (11.2%) Extraditions (Governor s Warrants): 1 3 2% Contested Mental Hearings & Guardianship Hearings: (35.9%) Civil Infractions: ,879 (8%) Violation of Personal Protection Order Hearings: % Requests for Warrant Authorization (Returned for more investigation or denied): 2,235 2, % 13

14 BUDGET Annual Expenses 217 Data Processing $234,28 (6%) Other Services (Witness Fees, Trial Expense, VIO vehicle) $161,276 (4%) County Administration Charge $371,565 (1%) Supplies $68,878 (2%) Personnel $2,943,24 (78%) Total Budget: 216* 217 % change Annual total: $2,636,223 $3,788, % *Please note that the 216 Annual Expenses reflect a shortened budget year due to the transition from calendar year to fiscal year budgeting. 14

15 REVENUE The Prosecutor s office revenue consists of state funding via grants, contracts, and cost reimbursement. Services include Crime Victim s Rights, legal services provided to the Department of Human Service in child abuse and neglect matters, food stamp fraud prosecution, driver s license hearings for the Secretary of State, and legal services for Allegan County cases pending in the 58 th District Court in Holland (venue: Holland City, Allegan County). The County also bills offenders convicted of Operating While Intoxicated and other specified offenses, for reimbursement of prosecution costs pursuant to local ordinance. $35, $3, $25, $2, $15, $1, $5, REVENUE $ Revenue Revenue: % change Annual total: $174, $257, % Prosecutor Revenue: Crime Victim s Rights $12,164.3 $167,6. DHS Contract 33, , OWI Reimbursement 3, ,359.1 Allegan Reimbursement 4, , Driver License Hearings 2,6. 1,144. Food Stamp Fraud 1, Miscellaneous 9. Total Revenue $174, $257,

16 The activities and programs of this department are brought to you by the members of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 1 District 11 Francisco C. Garcia Joe Baumann Donald G. Disselkoen Allen Dannenberg Mike P. Haverdink Kelly Kuiper James Holtvluwer Greg J. DeJong Philip D. Kuyers Roger A. Bergman Matthew Fenske 16