COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners honored an outgoing judge and brought forward the hiring of a juvenile defender during their work session Thursday.
The commissioners passed a resolution honoring Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady, who has served Branch County as a Prosecutor and Circuit Court Judge for the last 25 years.
O’Grady has announced his resignation, effective January 1, 2026, to pursue a new government position and be closer to family in the Detroit suburbs.
O’Grady was first elected as Branch County Circuit Court Judge in 2008 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2020.
The resolution stated, “the years of distinguished judicial service by Judge O’Grady were characterized by unflinching integrity and unquestioned legal ability.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioners brought forward to next Tuesday’s meeting the selection by Probate Judge Kirk Kashian of Benjamin Jewell to continue serving as his Juvenile Defender for the next two years.
Jewell submitted the lowest bid for the contract of $80,400 annually. The Juvenile Defender provides legal representation to juveniles determined to be entitled to court appointed counsel.
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