Prosecutors can bypass circuit judges to get more help

Prosecutors can appoint assistant prosecuting attorneys without circuit court approval under legislation signed by Governor Rick Snyder.

2012 PA 73 eliminates an almost century-old requirement that a prosecutor must first obtain the circuit court judge’s consent before appointing assistants.

Snyder also signed related legislation, 2012 PA 72, which eliminates the judicial consent requirement when a prosecutor obtains assistance for a felony trial, or appoints an assistant to perform the prosecutor’s duties “during a period of disability.”

State Sen. Darwin Booher (R-Evart) sponsored the two-bill package, which sailed through both houses of the Legislature on unanimous votes.