What is a Prosecutor?
In Michigan, the Prosecuting Attorney is a constitutional officer who represents a ‘separate, but equal’ branch of government. The Prosecutor’s duty is always to seek justice, not merely to convict, with society as the client—not the victim, police, or any specific individual.
He or she is elected every four years and every county has an elected prosecutor.
The main purpose of a prosecutor is to enforce the laws of the State of Michigan, which means deciding whether or not to charge a person and then to follow through with the case, appearing in court and presenting the case in a criminal or juvenile trial on behalf of the people of the State of Michigan. One of the most important functions of a prosecutor is the use of broad discretion in determining which charges should be filed.
There are over 200 Statutes and Court Rules that Define a Prosecutor’s Duties, including:
- Prosecution of criminals
- Protection of abused and neglected children
- Establishment of child support for needy children
- Assist crime victims
- Represent and advise County government
- Oversee the issuance of concealed weapons licenses
- Reapportion County Government every 10 years
