San Diego Criminal Justice Memorial
Honorees
A memorial directory honoring deceased judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys who advanced criminal justice in San Diego County.
John Andrew Mitchell
1934-2020
John Andrew Mitchell was born on April 23, 1934, in Schenectady, New York and passed away on February 2, 2020, in San Diego California. He was 85 years-old.
John was born and raised in upstate New York. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Lawrence University, and his L.L.B. from the University of Michigan Law School. He served in the Marine Corps and, as such, was afforded military honors at his memorial service.
John was admitted to the California State Bar in 1962. In the 1960’s, he clerked for James Carter, a distinguished U.S. District Court Judge. As an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles, he was involved with the Warren Commission and met with Bobby Kennedy on several occasions.
For most of his career, John was a criminal defense attorney. He tried many complex and difficult state and federal cases. John cared deeply about protecting the rights of his clients and worked zealously on their behalf. He not only cared about their case, but also cared about them as people. John handled the most serious of criminal cases, including special circumstance, death penalty cases. He loved being in trial. John was always prepared and was fearless in court. His skills in trying a case and making a record led to cases like In re Herman Martin, 44 Cal.3d 1 (1987), and People v. Ault, 33 Cal.4th 1250 (2004).
John served as president of California Defense Lawyers Club, and was on the Private Conflicts Counsel and Defenders Boards for many years. He was one of the most widely admired members of the defense bar. John did several civil trials as well. He was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates. That organization invites as members only those attorneys who excel in professionalism, civility, and integrity.
John also represented lawyers who had problems with the State Bar and medical professionals who had issues with their boards. His reputation for high ethical standards, diligence, and professionalism made him sought out by members of these organizations and helped him to obtain good results for these clients.
He was an avid fisherman and loved all sports. John was a member of the San Diego Yacht Club for many years and loved to invite colleagues and friends to lunch with him there. He was an accomplished cribbage player and played with family, friends, and colleagues throughout his life. John was one of a kind and is sorely missed by his family, colleagues, and many friends.