I have over 25 years of experience both in front of the bench as an attorney and more recently on the bench as the Ottawa County District Court Attorney Magistrate. These unique credentials make me the best candidate for Ottawa County District Court Judge.

I respectfully request your vote.
- Vern Helder
“For the past 9 years Vern Helder has served as Ottawa County District Court’s Attorney Magistrate. In that judicial capacity he has handled thousands of civil cases and performed many judicial functions in place of the judges. In doing so, Mr. Helder has exhibited remarkably good judgement, fairness, and judicial temperment. He will serve the citizens well as my replacement for District Court Judge.” 

-Retiring Judge Richard J. Kloote 
    On Tuesday my successor will be elected to serve the citizens of Ottawa County in our 58th District Court and I am supporting candidate Vern Helder to be my replacement as judge.
    Vern has served as the only attorney magistrate for Ottawa County for the last nine years. He has 18 years of trial practice in Michigan courts prior to being selected by the judges to be our magistrate.
    As our magistrate he has presided over, decided and entered judgments in several thousand cases. In those cases he has exhibited fairness to all parties, good legal knowledge and extremely good judicial temperament. He is very well qualified to serve as our next district court judge.

-Richard J. Kloote
Judge, 58th District Court

Background

  • Born and Raised in West Michigan (resident of Holland for 23 years)
  • Graduate of Calvin Christian High School
  • Graduate of Calvin College, BA in Business Administration
  • Graduate of Michigan State University College of Law (formerly Detroit College of Law), J.D. Cum Laude
  • Research Attorney for the Michigan State Court of Appeals
  • Practiced Law for 18 years for Grand Rapids Litigation Firm
  • Michigan Bar Member for 26 years
  • Presently Ottawa County District Court Attorney Magistrate (last 9 years)

Community Service

  • Neighbors Plus Board Member for 10 years; currently serving as Vice-President
  • Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church Deacon and Choir Member
  • Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church Member for 20 years
  • Kids Hope Mentor for 3 years
  • Coach for Holland Charter Township: Baseball, T-ball, and Soccer
  • Cadets Counselor at Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church

Personal Life

  • Married to wife Kim for 21 years
  • Two sons: Eric (18), Sophomore at the University of Michigan, and Colin (15), Sophomore at Holland Christian High School
  • Born and Raised in Wyoming (Grand Rapids), MI.
  • Holland resident for 23 years.
  • Hobbies include classic muscle cars and boating.

Qualifications

Vern is currently the Attorney Magistrate for the Ottawa County District Court. This position is similar to a judge in many ways. Responsibilities include:
  • Presiding over civil disputes/small claims cases (over 5,500 so far)
  • Traffic and ordinance violations (over 6,500)
  • Signing arrest warrants (over 2,600)
  • Signing search warrants (over 650)
  • Accepting pleas on misdemeanor criminal charges (over 6,800)
  • Setting bail bond amounts
  • Ability to marry couples (average of 200 couples per year)
  • Fills in for judges when they are unavailable

Additionally, Vern has had over 25 years of experience in practicing law and working in and with the court system on both District and Circuit levels. His professional experience and ability to make discerning decisions allow him to effectively fulfill his responsibilities to his community. Please consider Vern for the position of 58th District Court Judge, and thank you for your consideration.
Paid for by The Committee to Elect Vern Helder
1989 Tiffany Ct., Holland, MI 49424
© 2012