Now that Berrien County Chief Public Defender Paul Jancha has been elected as a judge, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners is seeking his replacement. At a Thursday meeting, Commissioner Jim Curran told colleagues an interim chief public defender has been found. He said Chief Assistant Public Defender Kaitlin Locke will be moved into the post with a resolution to be considered this month. In the meantime, a permanent replacement for Jancha is being sought.
“We have it posted in a number of different locations in an effort to fill that position,” Curran said. “So, she’s in there for 90 days, according to this resolution. If she needs to stay there for longer than 90 days, it has to come back to us.”
Paul Jancha was elected judge last month. Berrien County started its public defender’s office in 2017 using state funds. It has since grown by several staff members under Jancha’s leadership.
