Opinion guides prosecutors on
how to handle internal cases
The State Bar of Michigan’s Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics has issued a new ethics opinion offering guidance on how a prosecutor’s office should handle a case when one of its own employees or interns is charged with a crime.
“A prosecutor’s office should not represent the People when charges are brought against an employee or an intern who is employed within the prosecutor’s own office because there is an inherent conflict of interest,” the opinion, RI-389, reads. “To ensure the integrity of the prosecutor’s office and the criminal justice system, the prosecutor’s office should appoint a special prosecutor or request a transfer of the case to another county when charges are brought against an employee or an intern.”
The opinion cites MRPC 1.7 (b), which deals with conflicts of interest. The opinion also offers an example of such a case, Phillips v Ingham County, when a prosecutor’s office appointed a special prosecutor due to a conflict of interest.
To read the full opinion, visit www.michbar.org/opinions/ethics/numbered_opinions/RI-389.
“A prosecutor’s office should not represent the People when charges are brought against an employee or an intern who is employed within the prosecutor’s own office because there is an inherent conflict of interest,” the opinion, RI-389, reads. “To ensure the integrity of the prosecutor’s office and the criminal justice system, the prosecutor’s office should appoint a special prosecutor or request a transfer of the case to another county when charges are brought against an employee or an intern.”
The opinion cites MRPC 1.7 (b), which deals with conflicts of interest. The opinion also offers an example of such a case, Phillips v Ingham County, when a prosecutor’s office appointed a special prosecutor due to a conflict of interest.
To read the full opinion, visit www.michbar.org/opinions/ethics/numbered_opinions/RI-389.
Child abuse training seminar
focuses on forensic interviews
The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, Child Abuse Training Services (CATS) Program, in cooperation with the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council, and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), has scheduled a regional, cross-professional Specialized Child Abuse Training seminar on the topic of “Forensic Interviewing: The Next Step.”
The Detroit training will take place Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 6-8, beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. on the first day and conclude by 5 p.m. on the last day.
This seminar is aimed at prosecutors, CPS workers, police officers and others who will be conducting interviews. The training is designed to increase understanding of the primary features of forensic interviewing and provide information to enhance interviewing skills.
To register, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”
The Detroit training will take place Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 6-8, beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. on the first day and conclude by 5 p.m. on the last day.
This seminar is aimed at prosecutors, CPS workers, police officers and others who will be conducting interviews. The training is designed to increase understanding of the primary features of forensic interviewing and provide information to enhance interviewing skills.
To register, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on “Training Calendar.”
Law school hosts Happy Hour event
Wayne State University Law School will host a Happy Hour event on Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Alumni, faculty, staff and students will gather at Urbanrest Brewery in Ferndale.
To register, visit law.wayne.edu and scroll down to “events.”
For questions, contact Wendy Wippich, school alumni relations officer, at wendywippich@wayne.edu.
Alumni, faculty, staff and students will gather at Urbanrest Brewery in Ferndale.
To register, visit law.wayne.edu and scroll down to “events.”
For questions, contact Wendy Wippich, school alumni relations officer, at wendywippich@wayne.edu.
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