The Michigan Attorney General has determined that a full and complete investigation of what happened within the Catholic Church is required. This investigation is and will continue to be independent, thorough, transparent, and prompt. My department and this investigation will find out who knew what, and when.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General utilizes the services of Special Assistant Attorneys General from time to time when the unique circumstances of a particular case create the need for specialized services not currently available within the department.
The Conviction Integrity Unit (the “CIU”) investigates claims of innocence to determine whether there is clear and convincing new evidence that the convicted defendant was not the person who committed the offense.
In Michigan, a victim is an individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime.
The Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors - all working together to combat elder abuse.
The laws regarding expungement of criminal offenses in Michigan changed in major ways in April of 2021. This page is designed to help applicants navigate their way through the new laws, help them determine if they are eligible to have convictions expunged, to answer frequently asked questions about the new laws, and to provide links for resources and assistance.
To investigate and prosecute hate crimes by following up on every credible tip and offer departmental resources to assist local and federal law enforcement partners in this effort.
The Michigan Attorney General is leading the fight against this horrific crime by prosecuting the state's first-ever criminal cases under state law banning human trafficking in Michigan. Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation.
Knowing how to guard your personal information is your first line of defense against identity theft.
Michigan Attorney General's robocall initiative is leading several efforts to protect Michigan residents from the billion plus robocalls made to them every year.
The Open Meetings Act (OMA) took effect January 1, 1977. In enacting the OMA, the Legislature promoted a new era in governmental accountability and fostered openness in government to enhance responsible decision making.1 Nothing in the OMA prohibits a public body from adopting an ordinance, resolution, rule, or charter provision that requires a greater degree of openness relative to public body meetings than the standards provided for in the OMA. 2
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March 18, 2020
LANSING – A Coldwater man scheduled for trial in a 2013 criminal sexual assault case is facing additional sex crime charges after being arraigned Thursday in Calhoun County District Court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today.
Brad Allen Risner, 28, was arraigned on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct – penetration during commission of another felony (kidnapping). The charges stem from incidents that reportedly occurred in Calhoun County during the summer/fall of 2007 and follow a thorough investigation initiated by the Kalamazoo County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Since 2015 the Michigan Legislature has appropriated funds to the Attorney General’s office for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting cases that arise from previously untested sexual assault kits. The Attorney General’s office provides funding to projects in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Ingham, Jackson, Washtenaw and Wayne counties through this initiative.
At the time of the reported incident, Risner was a juvenile on probation after pleading guilty to a 2006 third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge in Calhoun County.
Risner is being charged under the automatic waiver provision of the court rules which allow charges to be sworn in the adult court for the specified juvenile violation of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, due to being 15 at the time of offense.
Risner was arrested Thursday by the Michigan State Police and lodged in the Calhoun County Jail. He was arraigned by Magistrate Earl Brutsche in Calhoun County District Court and given a $200,000 cash/ surety bond.
“My office will prosecute those who violate the law, and violent criminal acts will not go unpunished,” Nessel said. “My investigators will continue to seek the truth and ensure that unlawful actions are penalized, laws are upheld and justice is served.”
In addition, Risner is scheduled for trial on three third-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in Kalamazoo County before Judge Pamela Lightvoet. Those charges stem from a sexual assault evidence kit that was collected in 2013, but never tested until 2016.
Officials with the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative in Calhoun, Jackson and Kalamazoo counties are continuing this investigation. If anyone has additional information, please contact Kalamazoo SAKI Investigator Mike Slancik at 269-303-8524.
Please note: Calhoun County and Kalamazoo County courts have suspended operations due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) For trial and arraignment dates, contact the courts.
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Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Attorney General’s office does not provide photos of defendants. However, a photo may be available through the booking agency.
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