Some of Michigan’s most heinous criminals — from rapists to murderers — were stopped through the service, Major Joel Maatman of the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office said. But pettier crimes such as underage drinking and possession of marijuana also could boost the nonprofit’s budget. And proponents said the convicted could end up doing some societal good through their misdeeds.

“Let the offenders pay for what has proven to be a good program,” said bill sponsor Matt Lori, R-Constantine.

While charging criminals to fund programs isn’t a new idea, according to Eric Lambert, Criminal Justice Department chair at Wayne State University, funding Crime Stoppers this way would be new for Michigan.

“I think it’s helpful if done right,” Lambert said. “And what I mean by ‘done right’ is you pick the cases that are important; that will result in people coming forth with valuable information.”

Supporters say they’d like to offer more money than the current $1000 limit for some cases, but Maatman said that’s impossible with its current funds.

But there are critics of the bill.

Animal science sophomore Jasmine McCoy said she thinks the current reward is already plenty to offer, and isn’t keen on the idea of further punishment.

And while Lambert said he thinks the bill could help investigators, Crime Stoppers could be used for more malevolent purposes.

“Some of your best informants for drug crimes are those who want to get rid of their competition,” Lambert said.

He also said advertising only certain crimes could mean some perpetrators aren’t as actively pursued as others.

“(If) a homeless person gets murdered, that’s not going to go to Crime Stoppers,” he said, adding when a young suburban girl is killed, it will be publicized. “I guarantee you, when one drug dealer kills another, that will never be on Crime Stoppers.”