John Deckers

Education:

John Deckers is a graduate of Salesianum High School and the University of Notre Dame. In 1992, he was awarded a Juris Doctorate by the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where his primary focus was in the field of criminal law and criminal justice.

Bar Admissions:

John has been admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware (1992), the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (1998), the United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit (2000), and the United States Supreme Court (2000).

Professional Work Experience/Accreditations:

John Deckers is an experienced trial attorney. John’s entire legal career has been comprised of trial-practice in both state and federal courts. Upon graduating from law school in 1992, John secured a position as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Delaware. During his career as a state prosecutor, John aggressively and successfully litigated the spectrum of criminal cases ranging from juvenile acts of delinquency to first degree capital murder. John also served as the Director of Delaware’s Drug Asset Seizure Unit, and he was a frequent lecturer at police academies and continuing education seminars for prosecutors and police officers.

Since 1998, John has been self-employed as a sole practitioner, primarily focusing his time and attention on criminal defense matters in both state and federal courts. During his career as a criminal defense attorney, John has aggressively and successfully defended persons charged with offenses ranging from juvenile acts of delinquency to first degree capital murder.

Other current aspects of John’s practice include: employment law (defense of law enforcement officers in administrative and/or criminal investigations), civil litigation (defense of individuals sued in tort cases, most notably priests, other clerics and teachers accused of sexual abuse) and forfeiture actions (claims relating to the seizure and forfeiture of personal assets). Previously, John represented buyers/borrowers in real estate transactions and, also, assisted individuals with their estate planning needs.

Current or Former Professional Affiliations:

   * Delaware Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (DACDL)
   * National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
   * Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA)
   * American Bar Association (ABA)
   * Delaware Trial Lawyers Association (DTLA)
   * American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware

Current or Former Personal Affiliations:

   * National Association of Sports Officials (NASO)
   * Delaware Secondary School Athletic Association (DSSAA)
   * Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA)
   * Northern Delaware Football Officials’ Association (NDFOA)*
   * Notre Dame Club of Delaware


*  For more than 20 years, John has officiated high school and youth football games in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. He has officiated multiple state championship and all-star games in Delaware and Maryland, as well as more than a dozen playoff games.
   * Sex crimes
   * White collar crime