Frequently Asked Questions

  • In Michigan, the county prosecuting attorney is an elected official (normally) serving a four-year term who acts as the chief law enforcement official for their county.  It is a position created within the Michigan constitution.  County prosecuting attorneys are independent of the Michigan Attorney General and are responsible for a wide array of legal functions, primarily focused on seeking justice rather than merely securing convictions. 

    Their core duties include reviewing, authorizing, and prosecuting violations of felony and misdemeanor criminal laws, as well as county ordinances, committed within the county.  They represent the People of the State of Michigan in criminal matters before District, Circuit, Family, and Probate Courts, handling cases ranging from felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, juvenile delinquency and child abuse/neglect proceedings, to mental health commitment hearings and appeals in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

    The prosecuting attorney directs the activities of assistant prosecuting attorneys, crime victim advocates and support staff, and is responsible for all administrative functions of the office.  Finally, the prosecuting attorney performs various other functions as prescribed by statute.

  • Crimes are primarily investigated by the law enforcement officers, not the Prosecuting Attorney. Crimes should be reported to the Sheriff’s Department, State Police, local police department, or other law enforcement agency which has jurisdiction where the crime occurred. Once the initial investigation has been completed, the police report is filed with the Prosecuting Attorney. The Prosecutor reviewing the warrant request may send the case back to the police for further investigation. Ultimately, the reviewing Prosecutor decides what charge(s), if any, will be issued and when the charges(s) should be issued.

  • I have extensive experience handling criminal matters, as well as all of the other types of cases a prosecuting attorney deals with.  I’ve been the Antrim County Prosecuting Attorney for over a year and a half, and I find the work interesting, challenging, and unique.  Every case is different and presents a new challenge.  I enjoy the give and take and quicker pace of criminal matters (as compared to civil cases), and working with the attorneys, judges, court staff, law enforcement officers, etc. to help bring about justice for the residents of our county.  I am dedicated to Antrim County and making it a safer and better place to live, and that I have the experience, knowledge and commitment to best serve our community.

  • There are not enough prosecutors, judges, courtrooms, or trial days on the calendar to put every criminal case issued to a trial before a judge or jury.  There are simply not enough resources available.  Statistically speaking, most cases are resolved by the way of plea bargaining, where a defendant pleads something less than they were originally charged with as a means to resolve the case.  These practical demands, plus the defendant’s speedy trial rights, the seriousness of the cases, the strengths or weaknesses of cases, the victim’s wishes, public safety, punishment, rehabilitation, and deterrence are all interests that are considered by the prosecuting attorney when deciding how to proceed with a particular case.  Every plea agreement is always designed to balance these competing interests.  In the end, the prosecuting attorney has wide discretion in what to offer by way of a plea bargain, if any.

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