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.