PDs – Staff – Trial Chief Deputy Public Defender
Attorney Michael DeJohn currently serves as the Trial Chief Deputy Public Defender to Erie County, Pennsylvania. He has worked as an Assistant Public Defender in both Erie and Crawford Counties since 2002.
He is a lifelong resident of Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School, obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Gannon University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton – School of Law in 2000. While in school, he was the Magister (President) of Phi Delta Phi, an International Honors Legal fraternity, and Vice President of the Criminal Law Association.
He is a former Prosecutor’s Aide, law clerk, and legal arbitrator. Attorney DeJohn specializes in criminal cases and has handled over 8,000 cases at all stages within the past several decades. He is a skilled trial lawyer and is in a courtroom nearly every day. He is the former Chair of the Criminal Defense Section of the Erie County Bar Association (2022). He is also a licensed and commissioned Notary Public (since 2008).
Outside of work, Attorney DeJohn is involved as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Erie Free Store, Inc., Attorneys & Kids Together Mentoring Program (since 2007), Former Lay Leader of Koinonia of Erie County, and Scouts BSA Troop 61 Treasurer and Pack 61 Den Leader. He is an avid guitar player and has been part of several worship bands since 2005.
Attorney DeJohn is proud to have dedicated his career to indigent defense.