Paul Stanko
Plymouth-Warsaw-Knox-Rochester-Winamac-Peru Indiana DUI, Criminal & Drug Defense
- Biography
Former Lake County Superior Court Judge Paul Stanko is one of Indiana’s most experienced, distinguished & respected criminal trial lawyers, with over FOUR DECADES of courtroom experience in Indiana criminal law, dating back to 1979. As a prosecutor in Starke & Lake Counties, presiding judge in the Superior Court of Lake County, Constitutional Law & Criminal Justice professor at Indiana University & criminal defense attorney throughout northern Indiana, he has helped THOUSANDS of persons and tried MANY HUNDREDS of criminal cases. The Law Offices of Paul Stanko do not accept any cases other than criminal defense in Indiana Trial courts. Our offices are laser-focused on Criminal Defense and ONLY Criminal Defense!
The Law Offices of Paul Stanko provide high-quality client service and superior outcomes in the field of Indiana criminal defense, EXCLUSIVELY. Paul Stanko’s practice is devoted to the defense of those accused of drunk driving & boating, drug possession & dealing, domestic violence, violent crimes, white collar crimes, & other criminal offenses in northern Indiana. From his Plymouth offices, Paul serves clients with criminal cases in Marshall, Kosciusko, Fulton, Starke, Pulaski and Miami counties. Besides drunk driving & drug law defense, he handles all other criminal cases, including felonies & misdemeanors. Paul Stanko is also available to assist other attorneys as Local or Co-Counsel or Sentencing Consultant.
Paul has been honored to serve as a member of the Board of Governors, Court of Appeals & Historian of the American Judges Association, as well as chairman of the Retired/Senior Judges Committee & member of the Membership, Court Security, Criminal Justice & Conference Site committees of that organization. Paul is also a life-long defender of the Bill of Rights, proud member of the NORML Legal Committee, National Rifle Association, National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates & Mitigation Specialists.
- Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Drug Crimes, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- Cannabis & Marijuana Law
- Medical Marijuana
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense
- White Collar Crime
- Video Conferencing
- Fees
-
Free Consultation
Free no obligation initial consultation by telephone, text, email or in person. *Covid-19 Social Distancing can be practiced for your protection! -
Credit Cards Accepted
Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Flat fees are quoted in advance in almost all cases. Fees are based on type and seriousness of the case. In most instances, flat fees save a client a substantial amount of money compared to hourly fees. Veterans and active-duty armed forces personnel are offered substantial discounts on fees.
- Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Indiana
- Since 1979
-
- Languages
- English:
Spoken, Written
- Professional Experience
- Owner – Founder
- Law Offices of Paul Stanko – Plymouth Office
-
2019 –
Current
- Practice concentrated in the defense of those accused of crimes in Marshall County and surrounding Counties (Kosciusko, Starke, Fulton and Miami Counties).
- Owner – Founder
- Law Offices of Paul Stanko – South Bend Office
-
2009 –
2021
- Practice concentrated in the defense of those accused of crimes in St. Joseph County and North Central Indiana.
- Owner – Founder
- Law Offices of Paul Stanko – Crown Point Office
-
1992 –
2021
- Practice concentrated in the defense of those accused of crimes in Northwest Indiana courts.
- Appellate Attorney
- Superior Court of Lake County, Appellate Division
-
2001 –
2009
- Responsible for dozens of appeals in the Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
- Presiding Judge
- Superior Court of Lake County, Indiana
-
1985 –
1992
- Presided over criminal and civil cases in one of Indiana’s busiest courts.
- Attorney in Private Practice
- Law Offices of Paul Stanko
-
1981 –
1985
- General trial and appellate practice.
- Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
- Lake County, Indiana Prosecuting Attorney
-
1980 –
1981
- Successfully prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases including serious felonies.
- Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
- Starke County, Indiana Prosecuting Attorney
-
1979 –
1980
- Successfully prosecuted all types of criminal and juvenile cases.
- Education
- National Judicial College-University of Nevada
- Special Courts Jurisdiction Certificate (1986) | Judicial Education
-
1986
–
1992 - Attended and successfully completed numerous courses offered by the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada-Reno.
-
- Valparaiso University
- J.D | Law
-
1976
–
1978 - Honors: Tribune, Rentner Senate, the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity
- Activities: Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity; Radio (WVUR-FM disk jockey and newscaster); Intramural football
-
- Duquesne University
- B.A. | History Major; Speech & Communications Minor
-
1973
–
1976 - Honors: Duquesne University Academic Scholarship;
Duquesne University Outstanding Senior Award;
Debate Outstanding Senior Award;
Alpha Phi Omega Outstanding Senior Award;
Inducted into Phi Alpha Theta International Honorary Society in History - Activities: Student Judicial System (Judge-1 term); Student Government Association (Senator-three terms; Chairman of Appropriations, Constitution, Rules, and Parking Committees); Duquesne University Debating Society (Vice-President; Varsity Debater); Phi Alpha Theta International History Honorary Society; Alpha Phi Omega National service Fraternity; Intramural football; Radio (WDUQ-FM)
-
- Awards
- Distinguished Lawyer
- Lawyers of Distinction
- 2021
- Best of the Best Attorneys-Top 10-Criminal Defense
- Best of the Best Attorneys
- 2021
- Best of the Best Attorneys-Top 10-DUI Defense
- Best of the Best Attorneys
- 2021
- Elite Lawyer Award
- Elite Lawyer
- 2021
- Client Satisfaction Award
- Martindale-Hubbell
- 2020
- Best of the Best Attorneys-Top 10-Criminal Defense
- Best of the Best Attorneys
- 2020
- Best of the Best Attorneys-Top 10-DUI Defense
- Best of the Best Attorneys
- 2020
- Nation’s Top One Percent
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- 2019
- Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award
- National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- 2019
- Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers-Indiana
- American Society of Legal Advocates
- 2019
- Top 100 Lawyers
- American Society of Legal Advocates
- 2017
- Top 100 DUI Attorneys-Indiana
- National Advocacy for DUI Defense
- 2017
- 10 Best for Client Satisfaction
- American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
- 2016
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers-Indiana
- The National Trial Lawyers
- 2015
- Adjunct Professor of the Year
- Indiana University Northwest
- 2003
- Professional Associations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member
- Current
-
- NORML Legal Committee
- Member
- Current
-
- National Legal Aid & Defender Association
- Member
- Current
-
- National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates & Mitigation Specialists (NASAMS)
- Member
- Current
-
- Kosciusko County Bar Association
- Member
-
2020 –
Current -
- Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
- Member
-
2019 –
Current -
- Fulton County Bar Association
- Member
-
2019 –
Current -
- Marshall County Bar Association
- Member
-
2018 –
Current -
- The National Trial Lawyers
- Member-“Top 100 Trial Lawyers”
-
2012 –
Current -
- American Judges Association
- Governor (2009-2019); Court of Appeals (2019-Present)
-
1985 –
Current - Activities: Elected to Board of Governors in 2009. Re-elected in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Elected to Court of Appeals in 2019. Chairman, Retired/Senior Judges Committee. Conference Site Committee. Membership Committee. Historian-2011-Current
-
- Indiana State Bar
- Admitted to practice in January 1979
-
1979 –
Current -
- Publications
- Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart (Article)
- ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE SUPREME COURT
- 2005
- Schmerber v. California (Article)
- ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE SUPREME COURT
- 2005
- Instant OWI: Just Add Clients (computer software)
- Paul Stanko
- 1994
- Contact & Address
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