Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday appointed Arthur Cotter, of St. Joseph, to the 5th District Court in Berrien County and Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffery Sauter as a 56th Circuit Court judge.
The Cotter appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Angela M. Pasula who was elected to the circuit court.
“Arthur Cotter has dedicated his life to law enforcement and serving the people of Berrien County and I am confident he will be an outstanding judge,” Snyder said.
Cotter currently serves as the Berrien County prosecuting attorney, a position he has held since 2006. He has spent 27 years in the county’s prosecutor’s office, having previously served as chief assistant prosecutor, chief trial attorney, assistant prosecutor of the family division, and assistant prosecutor to the criminal trial staff.
Cotter earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the University of Michigan and a degree from the University of Detroit School of Law.
Cotter will serve the remainder of Pasula’s term through Jan. 1, 2015. He will need to seek election for a full six-year term in November 2014.
The Sauter appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Calvin Osterhaven.
“Jeff Sauter has been a model prosecutor in Eaton County for more than 20 years and I am confident he will continue his exemplary service as judge,” Snyder said.
Sauter, of Charlotte, has served in his current role since 1991. He previously served as the chief assistant prosecuting attorney and assistant prosecuting attorney. Sauter also spent time as an attorney in private practice. He is active in a number of professional organizations, including the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Board, to which he was appointed in 2012. He also served on the board of directors and is past president of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan.
Sauter received a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Sauter will serve the remainder of Osterhaven’s term through Jan. 1, 2015. He will need to seek election for a full six-year term in November 2014.
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