Right to counsel

Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.714(4) specifies that “[i]f the county department of human services of the county in which the mother or alleged father in a paternity action resides first determines that she or he has physical possession of the child and is eligible for public assistance or without means to employ an attorney . . . then the prosecuting attorney shall initiate and conduct proceedings under this act.”  Further, “[t]he prosecuting attorney and the department of human services may enter into an agreement to transfer the prosecutor's responsibilities under this act to . . . an attorney employed by the county under section 1 of 1941 PA 15, MCL 49.71.”  § 722.714(5)(b).