A public defender has been named for Van Buren and Allegan counties. Chad Catalino of Grand Haven will lead the newly-created Allegan and Van Buren Counties Public Defender’s Office. It’s being set up as a joint venture of the two counties in response to a mandate from the state. Catlino brings 16 years of public defense experience to the new post having previously served as division director for the Muskegon County Public Defender’s Office. Funding for the Public Defender’s Office is shared by the state and the two counties. For this year, the state is paying $2.2 million, and the counties are paying $529,000.
