LANSING — Osceola County Prosecutor Tyler Thompson will have a new position, filling the vacancy left by the recent retirement of Probate Court Judge Marco Menezes.
On Monday, Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Thompson to the 18th Probate Court of Mecosta and Osceola counties.
“Through his work as the Osceola Prosecuting Attorney and in private practice, Thompson has gained extensive knowledge and experience in every kind of matter that comes before the Probate Court,” Snyder said in a news release. “I am confident that he will continue to provide exemplary public service in his new position.”
While there is not an exact date set for when Thompson will take over as probate court judge, he is ready to start and expects to begin soon.
"I'm looking forward to serving the people of Mecosta and Osceaol counties as the probate court judge," Thompson said.
Thompson has served as the elected prosecuting attorney in Osceola County since 2013. He joined the law firm McCurdy, Wotila and Porteous, PC, of Cadillac and Reed City, in 2007, where he worked on probate matters, including wills, estates and trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, juvenile and criminal defense, municipal law, real estate and general civil practice. During law school, he interned for the Attorney General’s Office of Opinions and Municipal Affairs and the Osceola County Prosecutor’s Office. Thompson is a member of the Reed City Rotary Club, Osceola County Community Foundation, Reed City Area Chamber of Commerce, serves on the board of directors and executive board of the Spectrum Health Foundation, is a member of the Mecosta-Osceola Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan.
Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree from Hope College in 2004 and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2007.
In 2012, Thompson was elected as Osceola County Prosecutor. His name appears on the current 2016 ballot, as he is up for re-election. Moving forward, it's not clear who will fill his role as prosecutor or what it means for the upcoming election. It is anticipated the circuit court judges for Mecosta and Osceola counties will ultimately select Thompson's replacement.
For his position as a judge, Thompson must seek election in November 2018 for a full six-year term.
