About Cooper
Craig R. Cooper was born and raised in the area. After graduating from Ludington High School, Cooper attended the University of Michigan where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Business Law and Accounting. Cooper obtained his Law Degree from Michigan State University College of Law where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. While at MSU College of Law, Cooper served on the Law Review as Managing Editor and worked for the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Cooper interned in Washington D.C. for a law firm and attended legislative hearings where he would report the actions taken at the hearings to the partner of the law firm. Cooper has been practicing Law since 2009 and has a broad range of legal experience. Prior to becoming the Lake County Prosecutor in 2012, he worked as a private attorney with Gockerman, Wilson, Saylor & Hesslin P.C. in Manistee, Western Land Services, Inc. of Ludington and Plante & Moran PLLC of Auburn Hills. As Lake County Prosecutor he has handled a wide variety of cases and pursued those cases on behalf of victims and the protection of Lake County.
As your elected prosecutor for the past 12 years, Cooper has continuously served to uphold justice for the people of Lake County and prosecuted cases in a firm but fair manner. Cooper has conducted numerous felony and misdemeanor jury trials and numerous bench trials. In these trials he’s handled complex evidentiary issues in the examination of expert witnesses involving DNA evidence, drug lab scientists, medical doctors and psychologists. Among the many other cases Cooper has handled on behalf of victims and the County, Cooper has vigorously prosecuted cases in the interest of justice involving Aggravated Assault, Felonious Assault, Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm, Attempted Murder, and Home Invasion. Cooper successfully obtained convictions of Attempted Murder on a police officer and Felonious Assault to do Great Bodily Harm on a police officer that resulted in substantial prison terms. Cooper has further protected the victims of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) crimes by holding the perpetrators accountable. When the case facts and law allow for a firm sentence Cooper has obtained that sentence. Cooper has obtained Criminal Sexual Conduct convictions and sentences resulting in substantial prison sentences, including minimums of 18 and 25 years. Cooper also extradited and convicted a CSC offender that fled to another state. In addition, Cooper has protected the public in the prosecution of many drug cases. Among those cases he highlights the prosecution of a known cocaine dealer, where the state case was combined with a federal case, and the dealer was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years. Cooper has also worked with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the regional SSCENT drug team to obtain prison sentences on Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substances and Delivery of Heroin drug cases. Cooper is dedicated to the protection and safety of Lake County.
Cooper takes pride in his working relationship with the various agencies and law enforcement agencies in and around the county. Cooper has advised the police on the administration and collection of BAC blood samples in the prosecution of operating while intoxicated cases. He has further advised and written opinions on reasonable use of force standards used by law enforcement. Cooper has authored investigative subpoenas for police investigations, advised the police on the proper use of polygraph examinations, and counseled the police on legal updates for the Sex Offenders Registration Act.
Cooper has strong roots in the Lake County community. Cooper takes pride not only in the fact that he attended the same law school as his father Richard I Cooper, and grandfather Dic Cooper, but that he has also had the opportunity to serve the people of Lake County as they have. Cooper’s father is retired Judge Richard I Cooper for the 51st Circuit Court for Lake and Mason Counties and his grandfather is Dic Cooper who served as Lake County’s Prosecuting Attorney during the 1950s.
Craig R. Cooper is an Eagle Scout from Troop 1190. He served as a Council Advisory Member for the President Ford Field Service Council (Boy Scouts of America). Cooper also serves on the Baldwin Rotary Club board and is a past President for the club. Cooper has participated as a STRIVE mentor for Baldwin High School juniors and seniors and currently serves on the Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) Scholarship committee. Cooper is a member of the Child Advocacy Center Multi-Disciplinary Team that seeks to prevent and protect children from abuse, and contributes to the Lake County Communities that Care group that provides education and resources to promote a healthy and drug free community for children and their families. Cooper also conducts educational presentations regarding safety and the law to students at Baldwin Community Schools. The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office also actively participates in Kid’s Safety Day during the summer break where children are provided backpacks and there are activities highlighting the community safety resources available to students and their families. During his service as Prosecutor, Cooper further promotes community outreach and education by hosting Crime Victims’ Rights’ Week activities here in Lake County. The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office spends the week highlighting the importance of supporting victims of crime and prevention by educating the community on preventive and supportive resources available to them, and paying tribute to the victims here in Lake County during a candlelight vigil. Additionally, in a collaboration between the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, the Lake County Trial Court, and the Michigan State Police, Cooper hand delivers gifts of comfort to residents at Grand Oaks Nursing Center during the holiday season, dressed in a red Santa suit. Cooper is dedicated to promoting a safe and supportive community for his family as well as all the families here in Lake County.
Craig R. Cooper is happily married to his wife, Jessie, and the couple is raising their two children, Emma and Carson, in the home they own here in Lake County. Cooper and his family appreciate all the natural beauty Lake County has to offer. Cooper has enjoyed the benefit of a childhood cottage on Whalen Lake that has been in his family since the 1940’s. The Coopers spend their free time kayaking the Little Manistee River, fishing the Baldwin Creek and walking the trails. Cooper is an avid outdoorsman, who enjoys camping at Big Mud and Sand Lake, who also enjoys hunting, fishing, bicycling, skiing and all outdoor activities. Cooper shares his love of the outdoors with his children and enjoys teaching them to fish like he did as a child with his father on Whalen Lake. Cooper and his family attend the Faith Fellowship Church in Irons, Michigan.