“I am running for Emmet County Prosecuting Attorney because our community deserves the highest quality justice system possible. I have the background, experience, and track record of success to set those standards for the office. I have spent a lifetime fighting for justice as a prosecutor, including 30 successful murder cases, and thousands of successful prosecutions of sexual predators and drug dealers. I bring vast experience and success to the position and am the most qualified candidate to become Emmet County Prosecuting Attorney.” Stu Fenton
Professional Experience
- Chief Assistant Prosecutor Emmet County 2013-2019
- Emmet County Bar Association President (2017-2019)
- 33 years experience as Prosecutor
- Headed the Cold Case Homicide Team in Kalamazoo County and specialized drug prosecutor in Emmet & Kalamazoo counties
- Successfully prosecuted thousands of sexual predators, child molesters, drug dealers, and handled countless capital cases
- Statewide Trainer for Law Enforcement on Criminal Investigations, Sexual Assault, Trial Advocacy, Report Writing, Cold Case Homicide and Courtroom Testimony for Police Officers
- Wrote Emmet County Forensic Protocol for interviewing child victims of sex crimes; instrumental in the development of the Emmet County Child Advocacy Center
- Expert Review Panel member for Prosecutor’s Association of Michigan Cold Case Homicide Review Panel
- Attorney Discipline Board member panelist for State Bar of Michigan
- Board of Directors – Northern Community Mediation
- Special Domestic Violence Coordinator and Trainer with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Tribal Court (LTBB). (Current Position)
Platform
I will:
- Be tough on all sexual predators and crimes against children, violent and career criminals, hardcore drug dealers (heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, etc), and serious financial crimes
- Personally handle cases, go to court, try cases, and share the workload
- Cultivate strong relationships and partnerships with Law Enforcement, Victim Advocacy groups, and other community organizations to be proactive and work towards the prevention of crime, including the schools
- Protect the rights of victims as well as the accused
- Reform the office by improving morale, implementing consistent and efficient policies, and keeping statistics of cases and assignments, including year-end reports so we, the County Board, and the taxpayers can see how we’re doing each year
- Support a Drug Court in Emmet County and other creative & cost-effective resolutions for non-violent offenders
- Not be afraid to charge & try the tough cases, but also decline to prosecute where there are serious questions of guilt or the case is unprovable
- Provide training to local law enforcement agencies at their request
