|
J. Michael Westfall
Director, Multi-County Program/Athens County Branch Office
J. Michael Westfall has been with the Ohio Public Defender since 1991, as the Director of the Athens County Branch Office. Before working with the Ohio Public Defender, he served as the Athens County Public Defender from 1985-1991, and as an Assistant Athens County Public Defender from 1982-1985. In addition, from 1979-1982 he served as an Athens County Prosecuting Attorney and the Athens City Prosecutor.
Westfall earned his Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law in 1978, and also holds a Bachelor of General Studies from Ohio University. He belongs to the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Westfall has handled over sixty homicide cases, and defended six death penalty cases, none of which received a sentence of death. He was also involved in the case of State v. Thomas, in the Ohio Supreme Court, which created new law stating that victims of domestic violence have no duty to retreat in one’s own home and that they have the right to self-defense.
|
