Public Defender

Attorneys and Staff

The following is a brief synopsis of the attorneys and staff who work for the Noble County Public Defender Agency:

James J. Abbs – Chief Public Defender. Mr. Abbs grew up in Noble County and attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls and the Washburn School of Law in Kansas. Upon his graduation from law school, he practiced law in Minneapolis/St. Paul where he tried major felony cases, including murder, throughout the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1992 Mr. Abbs returned to Indiana and began private practice in Noble County and also served as a panel attorney for Federal Public Defender cases. He has tried over 100 cases in 4 states and in the Federal Courts. He has successfully argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court and before the United States 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has over 25 years of criminal defense experience. In 1994 Mr. Abbs became a part-time Public Defender in Noble County and in the year 2002 became the Chief Public Defender. He now handles murder and A through C Felonies along with juvenile cases besides his administrative duties.

Howard F. Hanson- Deputy Public Defender. Mr. Hanson grew up in Northwest Indiana and is a graduate of Grace College and Northern Ohio University School of Law. Mr. Hanson began his practice of law in Allen County and eventually moved into Noble County. He has been practicing for over 25 years and has Felony trial experience. Mr. Hanson presently handles all D Felony cases filed in Noble County.

Jon Owen-Deputy Public Defender. Mr. Owen is a lifelong resident of Noble County. He is a graduate from Indiana University in Bloomington and from the Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis. Mr. Owen has been practicing law for over 30 years. He has an extensive criminal practice along with experiences of being a city attorney and handling other civil matters. Mr. Owen is an experienced litigator and presently handles Misdemeanor cases filed in Noble County.

Diane Miller-Deputy Public Defender. Ms. Miller grew up in Noble County. She graduated from the St. Joe School of Nursing, IPFW and the Gonzaga Law School. Ms. Miller has extensive Court room and trial experience. She was a former Deputy Prosecutor and also handled CHINS cases. She is presently assigned Misdemeanor cases in the Noble Superior Court.

James Mowery-Deputy Public Defender. Mr. Mowery grew up in Northwest Indiana. He is a graduate of Purdue and the Valparaiso School of Law. Mr. Mowery presently serves as the Noble County attorney. He also has trial experience and is presently the conflicts attorney for the Agency. He handles A through D Felonies and Juvenile conflict cases.

Wendy Martin- Mrs. Martin is a lifelong resident of Noble County who is presently the Office Administrator for the Noble County Public Defender’s Agency. Mrs. Martin has extensive experience in the legal field as she has worked in a law office since 1980. Mrs. Martin and Mr. Abbs have worked together since he returned to Indiana in 1992. She presently oversees the operation of the Agency as well as assisting clients and in the investigation and handling of the cases. She serves in the role of administrator, paralegal and investigator for the office.

Joy Wert- Mrs. Wert is a lifelong Noble County resident and is presently attending college at IPFW in Fort Wayne. Mrs. Wert has extensive experience within the Court system as she was a Clerk for the Honorable Stephen Spindler prior to his retirement. Mrs. Wert now works part-time within the Public Defenders’ Agency.