Northern Michigan University 2006 alumna Jenna Nelson will begin her role as Marquette County's first female prosecuting attorney on Monday, Nov. 27. She currently serves as Marquette County's chief assistant prosecuting attorney. She will assume office upon the resignation of current Prosecuting Attorney and NMU alumnus Matt Wiese, who was recently appointed 25th Circuit Court Judge.
Nelson graduated from Negaunee High School in 2002 and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from NMU. According to a circuit court news release, Nelson was awarded her Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2012, where she was the associate editor of the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review and the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law.
Nelson worked as an attorney in private practice downstate from 2012-16 when she joined the Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as an assistant prosecuting attorney.
“She quickly established herself as an aggressive yet fair prosecutor, earning the respect of the judges and opposing counsel,” the press release said. “She was entrusted with some of the most serious cases, trying several cases to juries involving sexual assaults against adults and children.”
Nelson was promoted to chief assistant prosecuting attorney in 2022.
“I am very honored to be entrusted with this appointment,” Nelson said in the press release. “The prosecutor's office works very hard to ensure that the citizens of Marquette County have faith in our process, and I look forward to continuing that relationship with the community.”