COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Administrator Frank Walsh presented his timeline to the Board of Commissioners during their work session on Thursday for the selection of the next Branch County Public Defender.
Current Public Defender Terri Norris won the G.O.P. Primary last month to be the next Branch County Prosecutor. She is running unopposed in the November General Election.
Barring any major surprises, her election as County Prosecutor is expected to be formally approved by the Board of Canvassers in the middle of November which will result in a vacancy in the Public Defender’s Office.
Walsh plans to meet this week with the county’s judicial committie to get their thoughts on filling the position.
His goal is to complete the process by Friday, October 16 which he feels will allow for a smooth transition between Norris and the new Public Defender.
Norris has been the Public Defender since August of 2025 after a six person committee recommended her for the position.
She was the Branch County Prosecuting Attorney between 2009 and 2013 and a County Commissioner from 2017 to 2020.
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