Michael Hettinger

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Hettinger is a Full Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure at the Faculty of Law, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz. He has held this position since summer 1998, succeeding Ernst-Walter Hanack. Prior to this, he served as a Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Konstanz (1988) and Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg (1991), where he succeeded Günter Spendel.

• Education: Studied law at Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg and Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, majoring in political science. Passed the First State Examination in Heidelberg (1973), completed legal traineeship in Karlsruhe and Heidelberg, and passed the Second State Examination in Stuttgart (1978).
• Research Focus: Specializes in criminal law doctrine, sentencing law, legislative methodology, history of criminal law and procedural law, and criminal policy. His habilitation (1987) explored the concept of 'actio libera in causa,' addressing criminal liability for acts committed despite lack of responsibility.
• Academic Governance: Participated in academic self-government from 2000 to 2011.