Wyoming County Fires Public DefenderFree Access



In a surprise move, the Wyoming County Commissioners on Thursday, Jan. 7 voted unanimously to terminate the services of Public Defender Timothy Michaels.

Michaels has served in the position of county public defender since June 2018.

Michaels’ last day with the county will be Jan. 29.

This time frame will give Michaels a chance to finish any items that he may have with the county, said Commissioner Chairman Rick Wilbur.

“We weren’t happy with his performance,” Wilbur said of the reason behind Michaels’ termination.

Commissioners did not comment any further on this matter due to it being a personnel matter.

Also, during that Thursday work session, the commissioners voted to hire Assistant Public Defender Jesse Hallinan as the county’s new public defender.

Hallinan will take over that position on Jan. 30.

The actions taken by the commissioners will not impact any criminal cases currently being handled by the county public defender’s office, said Wilbur.

“(Michaels’) assistant has been involved with everything and he will now be our public defender,” he said.

Michaels was not in attendance at Thursday’s work session.

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