Joe L. Heaton

Who is Joe L. Heaton?

Joe L. Heaton is a United States federal judge.

Born in Alva, Oklahoma, Heaton received a B.A. from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1973 and a J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1976. He was a Legislative assistant, Sen. Dewey F. Bartlett, U.S. Senate from 1976 to 1977. He was in private practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1977-1992 from 1993 to 1996. He was an Adjunct instructor, University of Central Oklahoma from 1980 to 1981 and from 1992 to 1993. He was a State representative, Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1984 to 1992. He was a Special assistant U.S. attorney & U.S. attorney of U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Oklahoma from 1992 to 1993. He was a First assistant U.S. attorney of U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Oklahoma from 1996 to 2001.

On September 4, 2001, Heaton was nominated by President George W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma vacated by Ralph G. Thompson. Heaton was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 6, 2001, and received his commission on December 10, 2001.