Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon has announced he will retire from the court effective Aug. 1. He began his career in 2007 when he was appointed to Allegan County’s 48th Circuit Court. and then in 2009 later, he was appointed to the 57th District Court.
Baillargeon was one of the founders of programs for an adult drug treatment court, a sobriety treatment court and a veterans treatment court for Ottawa, Van Buren and Allegan counties.
A 57th District Court press release said the programs helped cut incarceration costs, bring families together and offer people a path to recovery. The court said they are “a testament to Judge Baillargeon’s vision of a more humane, service-oriented judiciary.”
Baillargeon also made presentations to local high schools, teaching students how the court system works and showing them the consequences of crime.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to name his replacement in late summer. That person will run for a full term in November 2026.
