On February 20, 2026, Michigan Governor Sarah Thompson signed a bill that aims to further reform the state's criminal justice system. The bill, known as SB 1265, includes a number of provisions that will have a significant impact on the way certain crimes are prosecuted and sentenced in the state.One of the key provisions of SB 1265 is the expansion of diversion programs for non-violent offenders. Under the new law, individuals charged with certain low-level offenses will have the option to participate in diversion programs that aim to address the root causes of their criminal behavior rather than sending them to jail. These programs may include substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, or job training.Additionally, SB 1265 includes reforms to Michigan's mandatory minimum sentencing laws. The bill aims to give judges more discretion in sentencing, particularly for drug offenses. Under the new law, judges will have the ability to depart from mandatory minimums in certain cases where they determine that the mandatory minimum sentence is not appropriate or would result in an unjust outcome.Another significant provision of SB 1265 is the establishment of a conviction review unit within the state's Department of Attorney General. This unit will be tasked with reviewing cases where there is evidence of a wrongful conviction and working to exonerate individuals who have been wrongly convicted.Governor Thompson praised the passage of SB 1265, stating that the bill represents a significant step forward in the state's ongoing efforts to reform its criminal justice system. "These reforms are long overdue and will help ensure that our criminal justice system is fair and just for all residents of Michigan," she said in a statement.The passage of SB 1265 comes on the heels of several other criminal justice reform measures that have been implemented in Michigan in recent years, including the expansion of expungement laws and the decriminalization of certain low-level offenses. Supporters of these reforms hope that they will help to reduce mass incarceration rates in the state and address issues of racial disparities within the criminal justice system.Overall, the signing of SB 1265 represents a significant victory for advocates of criminal justice reform in Michigan and is seen as a positive step towards creating a more equitable and effective criminal justice system in the state.