With the early resignation of Berrien County Prosecutor Steve Pierangeli, the process for appointing an interim successor has been clarified. The County’s panel of Circuit Court Judges are responsible for choosing the lawyer who will fill the spot from June 3, when Pierangeli resigns, until December 31 when his term ends, making way for a new Prosecutor who’ll be elected in November.
The Court Administrator has put out a statement detailing the process and timeline:
After conferring, the Circuit Judges announce that applications for the Office of Prosecuting Attorney for Berrien County will be accepted until the close of business on May 17, 2024. Any person wishing consideration should submit a letter of interest, with accompanying resume, and a completed personal questionnaire (located on the Berrien County Website) for the Judges’ collective consideration:
Public interviews with the candidates selected by the Judges as finalists for the vacancy will be conducted on a date and time to be determined. Applicants will remain confidential unless selected for the public interview.
Letters of interest, resume, writing sample of no more than 10 pages, and completed questionnaire should be forwarded to:
Circuit Court Administrator Carrie Smietanka-Haney
811 Port Street
Saint Joseph, MI 49085
269.983.7111 Ext. 8395
The next full term County Prosecutor will be elected in November. Assistant Prosecutor Amy Byrd is the only candidate who filed nomination papers by the deadline this week. Presumably, Byrd will be applying for the Interim Prosecutor appointment—and logically will have the inside track for the choice by the panel of Judges.
It’s an unusual situation that’s been set in motion by Pierangeli’s seven month early exit from the Prosecutor post.
