Rule 42 Special Counsel

When a county or circuit needs legal help, the presiding judge can ask the Governor to appoint a special attorney, called special counsel. This happens when the regular district attorney or attorney general cannot handle a case, usually due to a conflict of interest or other reason that prevents them from doing their job.

Special counsel steps in to do the legal work that the regular government attorney would normally do. They have the same powers and responsibilities as the attorney they are replacing for that specific case or matter.