DeRouin announces candidacy for prosecutor.

Chad DeRouin

DeRouin announces candidacy for prosecutor.

#Election2020

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — A second Republican candidate has announced his candidacy for the nomination to run for Mason County Prosecuting Attorney. Chad A. DeRouin, a resident of Pere Marquette Township, is currently the chief assistant prosecuting attorney for Oceana County.

To date, the only other person to announce a candidacy for prosecuting attorney has been Lauren Kreinbrink of Ludington, who is currently the chief assistant prosecuting attorney for Mason County. The party nominees will be decided during the August 4 primary election.

DeRouin has served in his current position for over three years. Prior to that he owned and operated the Law Office of Chad A. DeRouin, PLC in downtown Ludington for over two years.

A Muskegon native, DeRouin earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in 2010 and a law degree from Thomas A. Cooley Law School in 2013.

During his time in private practice, he gained invaluable experience that he believes will allow him to thrive in his new position.

He’s a veteran of the US Army. He said he’s very proud of his service and he credits his time in the Army and his family for giving him the mental strength, integrity and motivation to get him where he is today.

“After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 2006 I enrolled at Western Michigan University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in aviation in 2010,” he said. “While completing my bachelor’s degree I took an aviation law course, which sparked my interest in the law.  Thus, when I graduated from WMU I decided to go on to Cooley Law School.

“I believe that my sense of justice and my breadth of experience make me well qualified to serve as the prosecuting attorney in Mason County,” DeRouin said. “I care deeply about the community and protecting the citizens of Mason County. I will fight for justice for victims of crimes, I will be the voice for the vulnerable and the voiceless, and I will faithfully abide by the principles of justice and integrity.  These are the principles that have driven me and will continue to drive me. 

DeRouin said he believes there is room for reform in the justice system, not only in Mason County but throughout the United States.

“I want to be the one who helps implement change in Mason County. I plan to hold people accountable for their actions but do it with the goal of protecting the general public and getting the offenders the help they need to become productive members of society.  I believe that an increase in the availability of mental health treatment is an important part of the reform that is needed.”

He said he plans to work closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, West Michigan Community Mental Health and other mental health advocates and professionals to help develop a plan that will benefit the citizens of Mason County. 

DeRouin said he plans to also work closely with local law enforcement.

“Let me start by saying that, law enforcement officers have a difficult, dangerous and challenging job. As a prosecutor I must work with, trust in, and communicate with law enforcement agencies on a regular basis. If elected, I will have an open door policy in which anyone, including members of the general public and law enforcement officers, will be encouraged to speak with me to discuss any questions, comments and/or concerns that they may have.”

Drug cases and criminal sexual conduct cases make up a lot of the caseload for a prosecutor’s office.

“I will fight for justice to protect our children and to put predators behind bars. I will lock up those who prey upon children, and vulnerable adults. I will also work hand-and-hand with local law enforcement agencies to prosecute drug dealers and put them behind bars where they are unable to further endanger our children and communities.”

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