Section 600.586 - Sheriff, deputy sheriff, or county medical examiner licensed to practice law; prohibited conduct; exceptions; violation as civil infraction; penalty(1) A sheriff, deputy sheriff, or county medical examiner licensed to practice law in this state shall not do either of the following: (a) Serve process in an action in which he or she acts as attorney or counsel for a party.(b) Appear in court as attorney or counsel for a criminal defendant, except in a criminal or civil contempt proceeding.(2) This section does not prohibit either of the following: (a) A county from limiting or prohibiting the practice of law by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or county medical examiner.(b) A sheriff from limiting or prohibiting the practice of law by a deputy sheriff.(3) A person who violates subsection (1) is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $500.00.1961, Act 236, Eff. 1/1/1963 ;--Am. 1992, Act 255, Eff. 3/31/1993 ;--Am. 1996, Act 177, Imd. Eff. 4/18/1996 .