Right to counsel

Michigan , Legislation , Parentage - Petitioner or Child

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).

Appointment of Counsel: Yes
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.