If you have been arrested or charged in Indianapolis, the first call matters. The firms below defend OWI, felony, and misdemeanor cases in Marion County every week. Most offer a free consultation and flat-fee pricing, so you know the cost before you commit. The earlier a lawyer is involved — ideally before you talk to police — the more options you usually have.
The honest answer is: as soon as you think you might be charged. Indiana sorts crimes into misdemeanors (Class A, B, and C) and felonies (Level 6 down to the most serious Level 1, plus murder). Even a Class A misdemeanor can carry up to a year in jail, and a felony conviction follows you on background checks for life. A lawyer who steps in early can sometimes head off charges, negotiate a lesser count, or get you into a diversion program before anything is filed.
OWI — operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Indiana's term for drunk or drugged driving — is the most common charge these firms handle. An OWI case runs on two tracks at once: the criminal case in Marion County court and a separate driver's-license suspension through the BMV. The deadlines on the license side are short, and a defense lawyer can often fight to keep you driving with specialized driving privileges while the case is pending.
Indiana also has a strong second-chance law. Many convictions can later be expunged — sealed from public view — once waiting periods are met, which can restore job and housing prospects. Several of the firms below handle expungements as well as the underlying defense, so it is worth asking how today's charge could be cleared later.
Downtown Indianapolis defense firm staffed largely by former prosecutors. OWI/DUI, felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, and expungements, plus a family-law practice. Answers the phone around the clock, which matters when an arrest happens at 2 a.m.
Indianapolis criminal-defense firm founded by former deputy prosecutors, with around 500 reviews. Handles OWI, felony and misdemeanor charges, and expungement under Indiana's Second Chance law. Flat-fee pricing makes the cost of a defense predictable up front.
Criminal-defense and OWI practice with an Indianapolis office. Concentrates on impaired-driving charges, license issues, and misdemeanor and felony defense. A reasonable second opinion to line up against Banks & Brower and Keffer Hirschauer before you decide who to hire.
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Most Indianapolis defense lawyers price by the charge, not the hour. A misdemeanor or first-time OWI is commonly a flat fee of $1,500-$4,500. More serious or contested OWI cases run higher once the license fight and any motions are added in.
Felony defense is more variable. Expect $5,000-$15,000 for many Level 5 and 6 felonies, and $15,000-$50,000 or more for serious felonies that may go to trial. Lawyers who bill hourly in Indianapolis typically charge $200-$400/hour.
Flat-fee pricing is the norm here precisely because it removes surprises — you know the cost of the defense before you hire. An expungement later is usually a separate flat fee, often $1,000-$3,000 depending on how many records are involved.
A misdemeanor or straightforward OWI often resolves in 2-6 months through negotiation, a diversion agreement, or a plea. The license-suspension side can move faster, which is why early action matters.
Felony cases take longer — commonly 6-18 months — as the defense reviews evidence, files motions, and negotiates. Cases that go to a jury trial in Marion County can run beyond a year.
An expungement is a separate process that comes after the case is over and the Indiana waiting period has passed, typically taking a few months from petition to order once you are eligible.
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