James Michael Woods

     Michael Woods is a 2006 graduate of Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington where he served on the Moot Court Board. While in Bloomington, he served as President and Vice President of the Monroe County Council where he oversaw appropriations for various parts of the criminal justice system, including the expansion of funding for corrections and the creation of a new court. As a member of the council, Michael helped spearhead the creation of a new tax to fund the Youth Services Bureau so fewer children were separated from their families during their time in the juvenile justice system.

     A deputy prosecutor for nine years, Michael is an experienced trial attorney who has handled thousands of cases ranging from simple traffic tickets to complex homicides. He has tried over 30 cases at jury trial on various charges including drunk driving, drug dealing, robbery, criminal gang activity, and murder. As a deputy prosecutor, Michael secured one of the first successful convictions for the criminal gang sentencing enhancement in Indiana, and implemented new techniques for obtaining, preserving, and admitting evidence from smartphones, Facebook, and Twitter. He has also argued numerous bail, juvenile waiver, and suppression hearings.

     Michael brought that experience, knowledge, and skill to Stracci Law Group – a law firm designed to make sure their clients are never overwhelmed or overmatched by the State. He understands in detail the evidence traditionally used in criminal trials such as ballistics examinations, DNA, fingerprints, surveillance recordings, breath tests, blood draws, and drug analysis. Additionally, Michael has extensive experience in new and emerging types of evidence such as forensic cell phone and computer examination, cell tower data analysis, mobile location services, and social media accounts. He is well-versed in complex criminal statutes, evolving caselaw, and ever-changing sentencing enhancements. Michael puts those skills to work on behlf of his clients in negotioantions, motions practice, jury trials, appeals, and post-conviction relief. 

     Michael has presented legal training on topics including the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (2007) and the Digital Presentation of Evidence in Criminal Trials (2014). He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Lake County Bar Association and Indiana Bar Association.  He is admitted to practice in all Indiana courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, and has argued before the Indiana Supreme Court.