For Release: April 17, 2020
Contact: Tim Rutkowski, Huron County Prosecutor, (989) 269-9255
Tim Rutkowski has the experience to find justice with creative solutions when possible, and standing firm when necessary.
Timothy J. Rutkowski is pleased to announce that he is again seeking the office of Huron County Prosecuting Attorney.
Tim was first elected in 2008, but has been an attorney serving the Thumb area for over 25 years. While all attorneys are trained in law school to practice in any area, Tim has chosen to be a prosecuting attorney for his career. Working in our rural area has allowed him to gain knowledge and experience in many other areas of the law as well. This is important when dealing with the legal issues that come to the office. Tim’s experience and taking an objective practical approach to problem solving is important to making fair decisions regarding prosecution. Not all difficult situations are resolved with a criminal charge-sometimes a civil action or a creative approach might be better use of public resources-your taxpayer dollars.
The balance is to keep our community safe, and Tim is known to be tough on criminal charging and plea offers, despite occasional criticism. Tim believes “as the elected prosecutor, I strive to be accurate in our interpretation of the law and its application to the facts of every case.” Prosecutors are ethically bound to seek the truth and not only results. In his lengthy career as a prosecutor, Tim has known the benefits of diversion programs and fully supports the Thumb Regional Sobriety Court and the new Drug Treatment Court. When an injustice occurs, Tim feels that “in our office, we carefully exercise discretion to achieve personal accountability and just results.” This means fair trials or just pleas, diversion into treatment courts, or recommending appropriate sentences that accomplish justice and restore public safety.
Over the years Tim has been the elected official, the Huron County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has become to be a full team effort to assist victims. Victims of crime are most often in a crisis situation when they come to the office. They are distressed, confused, and vulnerable. Tim and the staff answer procedural questions, listen to concerns, explain decisions, recommend resources, and seek a just resolution to the matter. This may eventually include providing support as the case goes through the justice system, as victims may be witnesses, and dealing with the aftermath of a jury verdict, sentencing and restitution, and appeals.
As the elected official for three terms-over 11 years, Tim has created an established office that is able to provide consistency in handling cases and offering services beyond the basics. The Huron County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has the combined years of varied experience of four seasoned trial attorneys, with a combined total of 108 years experience. All employees receive training outside of the office, which helps to bring additional information and resources to better serve the community. Tim currently is on the Board of the Directors of the Prosecuting Attorney Association of Michigan, and also Chair of the Corrections Committee and serves on Drug Initiative Committee in the Association. Tim keeps current on:
- state and federal criminal laws;
- pending legislation;
- case law from the Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court;
- Attorney General’s Office and other state orders;
- law enforcement policies;
- municipal and county ordinances;
- local court procedures; and,
- local community needs.
He regularly holds legal and office policy updates to local law enforcement and keeps up to date through legal associations and networking. Tim is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and is proud to be endorsed by the group. Tim has a good working relationship with local law enforcement, continuing an open door policy with officers he started when he was first elected.
A further benefit of Tim’s lengthy time in office means that he has developed a full network of community contacts, groups, businesses, and partners in the pursuit of not only good results for victims, but to address the causes of crime in the first place. He is on the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Bay Region Child Abuse/Neglect Council that opened their Child Advocacy Center earlier last year. Tim and others from the office have made presentations to local schools about the dangers of drug use and making good choices. They have also been asked to meet with community groups to discuss the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and concerns about the opioid crisis, among other topics.
Tim is proud that the Huron County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is accessible to the public and each of the attorneys is an active member of our community, making them accessible outside the office as well. Everyone in the office has roots in the Thumb area. Tim’s family roots in Ubly not only go back to his great-grandparents, but also now his own children, nieces and nephews. Tim is a member of the Ubly Lions Club and Knights of Columbus and enjoys time with his children, working on the family farm, playing softball, hockey and running.
Tim thanks Huron County for all of the support over the years and would appreciate your vote to continue as your Prosecuting Attorney.
