What are the duties of the Prosecuting Attorney?
The Prosecuting Attorney is an elected official with a four year term of office, as provided in the Michigan Constitution. Elections occur at the time of the presidential election, on the partisan ballot. The elected county Prosecuting Attorney is independent of the Michigan Attorney General.
The Prosecuting Attorney's office is responsible for a wide array of legal functions for the county.
The state legislature has created over 250 duties for the prosecutor, including the following:
- chief law enforcement official in the county
- reviews, authorizes, and prosecutes violations of felony and misdemeanor criminal laws of the State of Michigan and county ordinances committed in the county
- reviews, authorizes and prosecutes felony and misdemeanor juvenile delinquency offenses
- reviews, authorizes and prosecutes child protective proceedings in the Family Court where there are allegations of child neglect and/or abuse, including termination of parental rights
- represents the "People of the State of Michigan" in criminal matters in the District, Circuit and Family Courts as well as appeals of cases to the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
- may prosecute contempt proceedings when there has been a violation of a Personal Protection Order (PPO)
- participates on behalf of the petitioner in mental health commitment hearings
- provides assistance and input to the victims of serious criminal offenses
- may represent and gives advice to the county board of commissioners and other county departments on legal matters
- presides at monthly Concealed Weapons Licensing Board ("Gun Board") meetings
- reviews, authorizes and prosecutes civil actions to obtain financial support for children