Divisions & Units

Administration is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, including matters relating to personnel and resource management. The executive team includes the Prosecutor, Chief Assistant Prosecutor, the Chief of Litigation, the Chief of Administration, and the Chief of Policy and Training.

Betsey A. Hage
Chief of Administration
hageb@oakgov.com
(248) 858-0656

The Circuit Court Division prosecutes all felony cases not otherwise assigned to a special unit. There are 19 assistant prosecuting attorneys (APAs) and three investigators, assisted by two support staff members and a paralegal.

The APAs in the Circuit Court Division conduct felony trials, manage the Oakland County Circuit Court judges’ criminal and motion dockets, conduct evidentiary hearings on felony cases, and vertically prosecute specific cases. The APAs in the Circuit Court Division prosecute varied crimes such as home invasion, robbery, assault crimes, felony drunk driving offenses, and homicide.

Marc Keast
Chief of Circuit Court Division
keastm@oakgov.com
(248) 858-0662

Resources

Oakland County Circuit Court

The District Court Division handles cases before the fifteen district courts and thirty district court judges located in jurisdictions throughout Oakland County. The Division handles approximately 50 dockets each week.

Assistant prosecuting attorneys (APAs) in the District Court Division conduct preliminary examinations on felony cases, handle all misdemeanor criminal cases, as well as ticket and civil infraction cases written under state law.

Jeffrey Hall
Chief of District Court Division
hallj@oakgov.com
(248) 975-4275

Resources

Determining if defendant has been released on bond:
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office retains information as to which individuals are incarcerated at the Oakland County Jail. To see if a defendant is still incarcerated, contact the Oakland County Jail at (248) 858-1800 or visit the Sheriff's Office website.

Oakland County List of District Courts

The Warrants Division is responsible for the intake and charging function of the Prosecutor’s Office. The division is staffed by highly experienced assistant prosecuting attorneys (APAs) who review and evaluate criminal investigations submitted by law enforcement agencies.

Before a prosecution begins, a police report must be made to the law enforcement agency where the crime occurred. After the law enforcement agency completes its investigation, they present the case to the Warrants Division. Warrants Division APAs then review the investigation and determine whether criminal charges are appropriate. Where charges are appropriate, the Warrants Division APAs initiate a criminal prosecution by authorizing a complaint and warrant to be filed with the relevant District Court.

Assistant prosecutors in the Warrants Division also initiate extraditions to return criminal defendants from outside the State of Michigan and detainer actions to obtain jurisdiction over criminal defendants serving sentences in other states or the federal prison system.

Rob VanWert
Chief of Warrants Division
vanwertr@oakgov.com
(248) 858-5556

Resources

Oakland County Law Enforcement Agencies

The Appellate Division responds to appeals in criminal and child protection matters in the Oakland County Circuit Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court. It also initiates appeals on behalf of the People.

Appellate attorneys constantly monitor changes in the law and provide those updates to assistant prosecutors and area law enforcement agencies. They also provide research assistance to trial attorneys.

Marilyn Day
Chief of Appeals
daym@oakgov.com
(248) 858-0691

Resources

Victims can learn if a defendant is being released from prison or has violated probation. Register as a victim with the Michigan Department of Corrections on their website or by calling 1-877-866-5401.

The Family Support Division obtains court orders establishing paternity and financial support for children, helping stabilize families and lifting more children out of poverty. The Division also prosecutes individuals for repeated failure to furnish court-ordered child support payments.

Markeisha Washington
Chief of Family Support Division
washingtonm@oakgov.com

The Juvenile Justice Division handles child-protection and delinquency matters before the Oakland County Circuit Court. When a minor comes into contact with the criminal justice system through law enforcement, assistant prosecutors in the Juvenile Division determine what action, if any, is appropriate, including diversion programs and other alternatives to a delinquency petition. When appropriate, the Juvenile Division has the discretion to pursue and litigate delinquency proceedings.

The Juvenile Justice Division provides legal counsel to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) at all stages of child protective proceedings, protecting both children and families from abuse and neglect.

The Juvenile Justice Division also assists Oakland Schools with truancy and educational neglect matters.

Kelly Collins
Chief of Juvenile Justice Division
collinsk@oakgov.com
(248) 858-8797

Resources

The Special Victims Unit (SVU) vertically prosecutes cases involving victims with unique vulnerability. These cases include: domestic violence, child and adult criminal sexual conduct (CSC), child abuse, elder and vulnerable adult abuse, and hate crimes.

The SVU is a multidisciplinary team of assistant prosecuting attorneys (APAs), investigators, victim advocates, and support staff who work together to enhance prosecution as well as to minimize the emotional trauma to victims during the legal process. Vertical prosecution ensures continuity as a case progresses through the system.

All members of the SVU receive specialized training and develop expertise in the unique dynamics present in these sensitive cases. The members also work with community partners to enhance the services available to crime victims.

SVU works not only to pursue justice and public safety, but to provide support and guidance to victims.

Sarah Greene
Chief of Special Victims Unit
greenes@oakgov.com
(248) 858-0708

Resources

The Victim Services Section offers information and support to all Oakland County crime victims. As mandated by the Michigan Crime Victim’s Rights Act (CVRA), the Section provides notification to crime victims, and assists victims and their families in understanding and exercising their rights.

The Victim Services Section also provides court support, community referrals, assistance regarding compensation and/or restitution claims and answers general questions from crime victims. The Victim Services Section also has two canine advocates, Lance and Frieda. Canines are available to provide support to child victims as they navigate the criminal justice process.

Mary Larkin
Leader of Victim Services Section
larkinm@oakgov.com
(248) 858-0707

Resources

The Trafficking Unit, newly established by Prosecutor McDonald when she took office, is tasked with prosecuting crimes related to the trafficking of human beings - including sex and labor trafficking - and illicit substances, including narcotics.

The assistant prosecuting attorneys assigned to the Trafficking Unit collectively have over 65 years of experience and are rigorously trained in the nuances of prosecuting cases involving human trafficking. Due to the fact that trafficking victims are often fearful of their traffickers and hesitant to participate in investigation and prosecution, APAs are well-trained in trauma-informed interview techniques and knowledgeable of alternative methods of prosecution, which do not rely on a victim’s testimony to secure conviction.

Cindy Brown
Leader, Trafficking Unit
vidac@oakgov.com
(248) 452-9218