On the Issues
From her time on the bench, Karen grew to understand that the status quo isn’t working anymore for families in our community and those in the criminal justice system. She put those beliefs to action as Oakland County Prosecutor, and focused on addressing integrity and fairness in the criminal justice system, and centering community well-being and safety.
Karen has spent the last four years tackling crime that truly matters to the community. She’s taken a holistic approach to addressing gun violence, advocating for community engagement, mental health support, and responsible gun ownership. She’s also focused on developing just and fair prosecution policies that use nuance to prosecute crime, and considers reform after jail time.
Karen has an unwavering commitment to do what’s right, regardless of political or public popularity. She’s seeking re-election to continue to fight for families in her community with this approach.
As Oakland County Prosecutor, Karen will continue to:
- Formed a dedicated Trafficking Section focused on holding those who traffic humans and drugs accountable, including securing a conviction against a man who abused and trafficked over 20 women and is now serving a 100-year prison sentence.
- Currently working to form a Countywide Human Trafficking Task Force.
- Takes an approach that focuses on holding criminals accountable by applying harsher responses to more serious and repeat offenders.
- Special Victims Unit, dedicated to prosecuting cases involving victims with unique vulnerabilities (child and adult criminal sexual conduct, elder and vulnerable adult abuse, hate crimes, domestic violence).
- Established the Hate Crimes Unit within the Special Victims Unit, with Assistant Prosecutors who are trained in detecting and vertically prosecuting hate crimes, which are on the rise.
- Keeping kids and families safe by treating kids like kids and connecting kids and families with the resources and supports necessary to thrive.
- Launched the Canine Advocate program at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, which includes three Canine Advocates who provide support to child victims and witnesses of crime both outside and inside of the courtroom as they testify.
- Partnership with CARE House of Oakland County, our County’s only Child Advocacy Center. Dedicated Assistant Prosecutor from the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit who works closely with CARE House and provides assistance with investigation of child sexual assault, abuse, and neglect.
- Provide opportunity for Assistant Prosecutors to hear from crime victims about their experience with the criminal justice and the impact that crime has on their lives outside of the courtroom.
- Dedicated resources towards fighting drivers of violent crime, including gun violence, carjackings, and human trafficking.
- Dedicated a Senior Assistant Prosecutor to the Gun Violence Task Force, which has successfully resulted in a significant decrease in fatal and non-fatal shootings.
- Providing common sense approaches to address why individuals come into the criminal justice system, including a diversion specialist, an OCHN liaison embedded within the Prosecutor’s Office, participation in problem-solving courts, as well as restorative justice programs.
- Successfully charged and convicted both the Oxford High School shooter and his parents for their role in killing four students, injuring several others including a teacher, and terrorizing an entire community.
- Established the Law Enforcement Advisory Council, convening Chiefs of Police from across the County to ensure open communication and collaboration.