Charged with a crime in Indianapolis? Move fast.
Marion County Criminal Court is one of the busiest court systems in the Midwest. Indiana classifies crimes from Level 1 felonies (most serious) down through Level 6 felonies and misdemeanors. An OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) at 0.08+ BAC is a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense, but a second OWI within seven years is a Level 6 felony. Prior record and aggravators (kids in the car, accident, BAC above 0.15) escalate everything.
These 10 firms handle Indianapolis criminal defense — OWI/DUI, drug charges, theft, domestic battery, assault, white-collar, and serious felonies. We did not accept payment for placement.
How we picked these 10: We cross-referenced peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia), published case results, NC/IN state bar specialty certifications, client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms confirmed by at least two independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI/DUI, drug charges, domestic battery, felony defense
Indianapolis criminal defense firm. Founder Brad Banks is a former Marion County deputy prosecutor. Strong Marion County trial reputation across misdemeanor and felony matters.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI, felony defense, expungement
Indianapolis criminal defense firm with active practice in Marion and Hamilton counties. Handles cases from filing through trial and into expungement.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI, drug charges, sex crimes, felony defense
Founded by Sean Hessler, a former prosecutor. Marion County practice with experience anticipating prosecution strategy from the inside.
Practice focus: OWI/DUI, criminal defense, drug charges
Multi-state firm with a strong Indianapolis OWI practice. Team includes a former police officer and a former prosecutor. Available 24/7.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI, serious felonies, murder, white collar
Five Nationally Board Certified Criminal Trial Specialists plus four associate attorneys. 100+ years of combined criminal defense experience. Handles cases from misdemeanors to murder.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI, family law, expungement
Indianapolis general-practice firm with extensive criminal defense experience. Handles OWI, drug charges, and felonies in Marion and surrounding counties.
Practice focus: OWI defense, drug charges, criminal defense
Solo Indianapolis criminal defense practice. Attorney B.D. Williams has 20+ years focused on OWI and impaired-driving defense.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI, felony defense, expungement
Indianapolis criminal defense attorney serving Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Boone, and Johnson counties. Trial-capable boutique.
Practice focus: Criminal defense, OWI, expungement
Founded by Julie Chambers, a former Marion County deputy prosecutor. Affordable, individualized representation with a defense-only practice.
Practice focus: OWI/DUI defense, drug charges
Indianapolis OWI practice. Founder John Rathburn is certified as an expert on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. 25+ years of OWI defense.
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Initial hearing within 48-72 hours of arrest. Pretrial conference typically 30-60 days. Most Marion County misdemeanors resolve in 3-6 months. Felonies typically take 6-18 months to plea or trial. OWI license suspensions begin 10 days after arrest unless you request a hearing.
Misdemeanor / first-time OWI: $2,500-$5,500 flat. Felony charges (Level 4-6): $5,000-$15,000 flat. Level 1-3 felonies and homicide: $25,000-$100,000+ retainer plus hourly. Most Indianapolis criminal firms charge flat fees through plea or trial and offer payment plans.
All 10 firms on this list are reputable. Pick between them on fit, not prestige. Five questions worth asking each one before you sign:
The directories on Google have thousands of Indianapolis criminal defense firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. Patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Indianapolis lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Indianapolis is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. The judges, calendars, and procedures shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has a real advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, statute of limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Indianapolis firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Juries are local too. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Yes. Even a first-offense OWI in Indiana carries a 30-180 day license suspension, fines up to $5,000, and a permanent criminal record unless reduced or dismissed. A defense attorney may negotiate a wet reckless or diversion.
Indiana calls it OWI (Operating While Intoxicated). DUI is the older term and the colloquial label, but state law uses OWI. The standard threshold is 0.08% BAC.
Refusing chemical testing in Indiana triggers an automatic one-year license suspension (two years for a second refusal) under implied consent — even if you're not convicted. Decisions about refusing should be made with full understanding of these consequences.
Yes, in many cases. Most misdemeanors are eligible 5 years after conviction; many felonies after 8 years if you've stayed out of trouble. Indiana's Second Chance law is one of the more generous in the country.
You'll be advised of the charges, your rights, and bond will be set. You can hire an attorney before this hearing — and you should, because bond arguments matter.
Marion County has experienced public defenders, but they're carrying heavy caseloads. For Level 1-3 felonies, most defendants who can afford private counsel hire it.
Yes, until you expunge it. Indiana's expungement law allows sealing of arrests not resulting in conviction after one year (or immediately if the charges were dismissed).
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one the same questions, and compare the answers. The right fit is rarely the most famous name; it's the one whose practice actually matches your situation. — The LawFirmSquare team