Spaniola announces judge candidacy

Paul Spaniola

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief .

LUDINGTON — Paul Spaniola, Mason County’s prosecuting attorney, has announced his candidacy for 51st Circuit Court judge, to succeed Circuit Judge Richard I. Cooper who is subject to mandatory retirement at the end of 2014.

“I am very excited about the prospect of running for circuit judge and serving in that role,”  Spaniola said.  “Judge Cooper has served the residents of our circuit with distinction since 1979 and I look forward to the next several months as I set forth my judicial philosophy of fairness and equal justice for all participants in the justice system, be they parties, victims, defendants, or witnesses.

“I enjoy immensely serving as your prosecuting attorney,” he said. “It is an extremely fulfilling job, protecting the rights of our crime victims, and ensuring that justice is done.  Becoming the circuit judge would be an extension of this calling. All participants in the justice system deserve to be treated with fairness and respect.  I have sought to do this as prosecuting attorney and will continue to do so should I be elected circuit judge.”

Spaniola, 55, was elected prosecutor in 2009 after serving in that office as an assistant prosecutor since 2001. For 17 years prior to that he had a private practice in Mason County. His private law practice included criminal defense, family law, real estate, general civil practice, probate and estate planning, and personal injury.

In addition to his duties as prosecuting attorney, where he supervises a staff of five and carries a busy caseload, he chairs the Mason County Concealed Pistol License Board and the Mason County Child Death Review Team. Since 2012 he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM) where he sits on the Technical Services Committee, Training and Education Committee, and Outreach Committee.  In 1988-1989 he was president of the Mason – Lake County Bar Association.

He has also served as an adjunct professor at West Shore Community College Law Enforcement Program.  He has been a registered referee with the United States Soccer Federation and the Michigan High School Athletic Association since 1997.   Service organizations that he has been involved with in his 30 year professional career include the Ludington Area Foundation, Area 24 Special Olympics, Ludington Recreation Soccer Board, and the Ludington Area Jaycees.

He resides in Ludington with his wife, Pat, who is a retired teacher from the Ludington Area Schools.  They have two grown sons, Charlie and Jeff.  Paul Spaniola is a graduate of Central Michigan University and the University of Toledo College of Law.  He was admitted to the bar in 1984.

Spaniola is the second area attorney to announce his candidacy for circuit court judge. Two weeks ago, Susan Sniegowski, a former prosecuting attorney, announced she is running for the position.