Mich. Comp. Laws § 712A.10: Designation of probation officer or county agent as referee; duties of referee.

Sec. 10.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) and sections 14, 14a, and 14b of this chapter, the judge may designate a probation officer or county agent to act as referee in taking the testimony of witnesses and hearing the statements of parties upon the hearing of petitions alleging that a child is within the provisions of this chapter, if there is no objection by parties in interest. The probation officer or county agent designated to act as referee shall do all of the following:

(a) Take and subscribe the oath of office provided by the constitution.

(b) Administer oaths and examine witnesses.

(c) If a case requires a hearing and the taking of testimony, make a written signed report to the judge containing a summary of the testimony taken and a recommendation for the court's findings and disposition.

(2) If a child is before the court under section 2(a)(1) of this chapter, a probation officer or county agent who is not licensed to practice law in this state shall not be designated to act as a referee in any hearing for the child, except the preliminary inquiry or preliminary hearing. This subsection does not apply to a probation officer or county agent who has been designated to act as a referee by the judge before January 1, 1988 and who is acting as a referee as of January 1, 1988.