Why Ottawa County Trusts Judge Juanita F. Bocanegra

Trust is not given — it is earned. And in Ottawa County, Judge Juanita F. Bocanegra has spent decades earning it.

From her early years as a legal assistant in Holland to her time as an assistant prosecutor, to her election to the 58th District Court in 2020, Judge Bocanegra has built a career defined by service, integrity, and deep roots in this community. As November 3, 2026 approaches, Ottawa County voters are being asked to make a choice. Here is why so many of them are choosing to re-elect her.

A Career Built Right Here in Ottawa County

Judge Bocanegra's story is an Ottawa County story.

She graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1993. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Grand Valley State University in 1997. She began her legal career as a legal assistant at Hann Persinger, P.C. in Holland — working while she pursued her Juris Doctor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, which she earned in 2008.

After law school, she joined Rhoades McKee in Grand Rapids as a law clerk and later as an associate attorney, gaining experience in civil law. But it was public service that called her back.

In March 2011, she joined the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. For nearly a decade, she handled criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to serious felony cases — representing the people of Ottawa County in courtrooms across the county.

This is not a judge who arrived from somewhere else. She is one of us.

From Prosecutor to Judge: A Natural Progression

When Ottawa County voters elected Judge Bocanegra to the 58th District Court in 2020, they were not taking a chance on an unknown quantity. They were elevating someone who had spent years in those same courtrooms — someone who understood the weight of every case that comes before the bench.

She was sworn in December 2020 and began serving on January 1, 2021. Since then, she has presided over the full range of matters that come before the 58th District Court: civil disputes, traffic cases, misdemeanor criminal matters, small claims, landlord-tenant issues, and more.

The 58th District Court touches the everyday lives of Ottawa County residents in ways that higher courts rarely do. It is where people go when they have a dispute with a neighbor, when they are facing a traffic charge, or when they need the justice system to work for them — not against them. Judge Bocanegra understands that responsibility deeply.

Endorsed by the People Who Know Courts Best

One of the most telling signs of a judge's reputation is who endorses her. Judge Bocanegra has earned support from a remarkably broad coalition.

Fellow judges have endorsed her — the people who work alongside her and understand what it takes to serve on the bench with fairness and competence.

Law enforcement has endorsed her — including Ottawa County Sheriff's deputies who work with the court system every day and know the difference between a judge who is prepared and one who is not.

Elected officials have endorsed her — including members of the Michigan House of Representatives who represent Ottawa County residents.

Attorneys have endorsed her — the lawyers who appear before her regularly and can speak to her temperament, her preparation, and her commitment to the rule of law.

Community leaders have endorsed her — people from across Ottawa County who know her not just as a judge, but as a neighbor and a community member.

When this many people from this many different walks of life agree, it means something.

Trusted by the Governor — Twice

Judge Bocanegra's reputation extends beyond Ottawa County.

In 2017, Governor Rick Snyder appointed her to the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan. Later, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed her to the Commission on Fairness and Public Trust — a body focused on ensuring that Michigan's justice system operates with integrity and accountability.

These appointments reflect what Ottawa County already knows: Judge Bocanegra is someone who can be trusted with serious responsibilities.

A Life of Community Service

Judge Bocanegra's commitment to Ottawa County does not end when she leaves the courthouse.

Over the years, she has contributed her time and leadership to organizations including the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, Holland Hospital, Ready for School, the Lakeshore Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, the Holland Symphony Orchestra, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, and many others.

Today, she continues to serve with Women Who Care, Women Of Color Give, the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, and as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Movement West Michigan.

This is a judge who is invested in Ottawa County — not just professionally, but personally.

What Re-Election Means for Ottawa County

Re-electing Judge Bocanegra is not just about rewarding a good record. It is about continuity, stability, and keeping an experienced, trusted judge on the bench during a time when Ottawa County is growing and its courts are busier than ever.

Judicial elections often fly under the radar. Voters focus on races for governor, Congress, or the state legislature — and the judicial races at the bottom of the ballot get less attention than they deserve. But the 58th District Court handles thousands of cases every year. The judge who sits on that bench matters enormously to the people who appear before it.

Judge Bocanegra has earned the right to continue that work. She has the experience, the endorsements, the community roots, and the record to back it up.

How You Can Help

If you believe Ottawa County deserves an experienced, trusted judge on the 58th District Court bench, here is what you can do before November 3rd:

• Learn more about Judge Bocanegra's record and background at juanitaforjudge.com/lp/re-elect-juanita

• Request a yard sign to show your support in your neighborhood

• Volunteer with the campaign

• Share this post with Ottawa County friends, family, and neighbors who may not know her name yet

Every vote in a judicial race counts. Help make sure Ottawa County voters know who Judge Juanita F. Bocanegra is — and why she deserves their vote on November 3, 2026.