Berrien County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Amy Byrd has announced she is running for the office of Berrien County Prosecutor. This comes after speculation that the current office holder, Steven Pierangeli might forgo a bid to run for reelection.
A fifteen-year career prosecutor, Byrd has worked at the Berrien County Prosecutor’s office as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and most recently serving as the representative for the Prosecutor’s Office on the Drug Treatment Court and as a member of the Opioid Taskforce.
A statement announcing her candidacy notes her local background, experience, and local roots. The announcement highlights she has worked in the prosecutor’s office in the appellate division, the adult criminal division, the juvenile division, and the neglect and abuse division.
From the campaign announcement:
“Raised on her family’s vegetable farm in Benton Township, (Byrd) experienced firsthand the value of dedication and teamwork. After completing her studies at the University of Notre Dame and Thomas M. Cooley Law School, she was drawn back to Southwest Michigan, where she began her career at the Prosecutor’s Office, a testament to her commitment to her roots and her community.”
“She has successfully prosecuted complex cases, including homicides, criminal sexual conduct, embezzlement, drug trafficking, and delivery of controlled substances causing death. Her unwavering commitment to justice, whether for an individual or the community, is at the heart of her work.”
“Outside the office, when there is a break from shuttling children from one activity to another, Byrd and her family enjoy life on the family farm. After returning to her roots fifteen years ago to serve the citizens of Berrien County, she is ready to take the next step in service as the Berrien County Prosecutor.”
Current Berrien County Prosecutor Steven Pierangli started work in the Prosecutor’s Office in 2004, running for and winning the top prosecutor role in 2020. He began serving as County Prosecutor in January 2021. Neither he nor his campaign have made an announcement on whether he will run for reelection. WSJM has reached out to Prosecutor Pierangli for comment. For the 2024 elections, candidates must file by Tuesday, April 23 at 4:00 pm.
