New software may mean more criminal charges in Oakland County, Michigan

Police departments in Michigan are cutting down on crime by using a new form of crime analytics. The software, CrimeView Dashboard, allows officers to analyze seven different points of data in an effort to reduce the rate of felonies and misdemeanors throughout Michigan. These data points include the home addresses for arrestee, parolee and registered sex offenders as well as the location of crashes and incidents that required emergency assistance.

According to CrimeView Dashboard’s manufacturer, The Omega Group, the software can provide police departments with the following:

• Help establish an interactive map of various crimes and their specific locations.
• Based on this information, allow police departments to allocate resources where they are most needed.
• Analyze emerging crime trends.
• Provide enforcement officers with the information needed to make a decision backed by data.

Officers can use the program to analyze each specific crime. For example, an officer could search how many robberies occurred in a specific area. Using this software, the officer could also learn the exact time and location of each robbery and attempt to predict where the next crime will occur. Based on this information, the department could allocate additional police presence in the area at highest risk for crime.

Although enforcement officers say the program is promising, it is also costly. A group of five police departments and other agencies throughout Michigan put up $140,000 for the project and initial pilot operation.

Impact of new software on those charged with crimes in Michigan

The software may help reduce the risk of crime, but it does not help reduce the risk of wrongful convictions. As a result, the software could still lead to false accusations.

Those charged with a crime in Michigan should take the charges seriously. Even a first time driving under the influence conviction (DUI) can lead to criminal penalties that include:

• Up to $500 in monetary fines.
• Imprisonment up to 93 days.
• Mandatory community service for a maximum of 360 hours.
• Driver’s license suspension of 180 days.
• Deduction of six points from driver’s license.

Because of the severity of these penalties, it is important to take criminal charges seriously.

A strong defense can help

Those charged with a crime in Michigan can use a variety of criminal defense strategies that may result in the reduction, or even dismissal, of charges. Defending against a DUI can include reviewing the process used to take the blood alcohol reading. Often, this BAC reading is the primary evidence used to pursue a DUI conviction. If the arresting officer did not follow the law when gathering this evidence, the charge may be dismissed.

This is just one of many defenses available. Contact an experienced Michigan criminal defense lawyer to discuss your case, help develop a criminal defense strategy that works for your situation and better ensure your legal rights are protected.