Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday appointed Arthur Cotter, of St. Joseph, to the 5th District Court in Berrien County. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Angela M. Pasula, who was elected to the circuit court.

“Arthur Cotter has dedicated his life to law enforcement and serving the people of Berrien County and I am confident he will be an outstanding judge,” Snyder said.

Cotter currently serves as the Berrien County prosecuting attorney, a position he has held since 2006. He has spent 27 years in the county’s prosecutor’s office, having previously served as chief assistant prosecutor, chief trial attorney, assistant prosecutor of the family division and assistant prosecutor to the criminal trial staff. Cotter has served as an instructor at Southwestern Michigan College, is involved in numerous professional and community associations, and has participated in many speaking engagements related to law enforcement.

Cotter earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the University of Michigan and a degree from the University of Detroit School of Law.

Cotter will serve the remainder of Pasula’s term through Jan. 1, 2015. He will need to seek election for a full six-year term in November 2014.