An assistant public defender for Berrien County has announced her candidacy for district judge.
37-year-old Jennifer Fields has worked for the Berrien County Public Defender’s Office since 2016. She says she wants to replace the retiring Judge Arthur Cotter when his term expires at the end of the year because she intends to “continue the pursuit of fairness and justice that has been the hallmark” of his career.
Fields says she has the experience to serve as a district judge after having herself appeared in court nearly every day since joining the defender’s office, adding she considers the campaign for judge to be an opportunity for the public to review her credentials and experience.
Fields is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where she received both her undergraduate and law degree. She’s also a past president of the Berrien County Bar Association.
The primary election for the non-partisan judgeship will be August 4 of this year with the general election in November.
