Expertise.com

2024

Last updated:

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Hammond

Our Recommended Top 14

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Hammond Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

68Reviewed

46Curated

14Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

9013 Indianapolis Boulevard, Highland, IN 46322
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.1 (21)
Facebook
3.9 (7)
Avvo
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Paul M. Namie LLC is a criminal defense and family law firm that assists clients throughout Northwest Indiana. Practicing since 2006, Namie and his legal team represent those facing criminal accusations and charges, including those who have been detained. The firm assists with trucking violations, expungement, felonies, misdemeanors, drunk driving, juvenile crimes, and traffic offenses. It also handles legal matters regarding wills, estates, probate, trusts, and personal injury claims.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Paul Namie - PrincipalActive10 yrs

1940 East 165th Street, Hammond, IN 46320

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (6)
Yelp
2.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Alvarez Law Office has represented the best interests of its clients for more than 40 years. The firm's criminal law attorneys advocate for individuals charged with a wide range of misdemeanors and felonies, including DUIs and other traffic offenses, shoplifting, robbery, child abuse, gang related offenses, and federal crimes. They thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding each case to ensure the firm provides the most effective defense. Alvarez Law Office is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Steven Alvarez - PartnerActive12 yrs

322 Indianapolis Blvd. Suite 202, Schererville, IN 46375
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (46)

Why choose this provider?

O'Donnell Law Group offers criminal defense services to individuals in Hammond. The firm handles offenses ranging in gravity from Class C misdemeanors to Level 1 felonies. It picks apart the prosecution's case to spot exculpatory and contradictory statements plus false assumptions. The group also handles petitions for the expungement of records and family relations matters. The office was established in 2019 by David and Thomas O'Donnell. The team has more than three decades of combined legal experience.

  • DWI/DUI

2929 Carlson Drive, Hammond, IN 46323

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)
Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Westland & Bennett PC is a law firm in Hammond defending people facing charges in criminal cases. Its criminal defense practice handles many cases, including retail theft, conversion, juvenile offenses, OWI, and DUI. The firm protects truck drivers' livelihood by battling commercial driver's license moving violations and traffic tickets. It seals and expunges arrest records, criminal convictions, and other mentions of clients' names in public records. David W. Westland, a criminal justice attorney in Hammond, has over 24 years' experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Westland - PartnerActive29 yrs

205 E Jefferson St, Valparaiso, IN 46383

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Bennett & Catsadimas, P.C., is a criminal defense firm protecting the individual rights of Hammond residents. It manages criminal cases such as murder, DUI and OWI, traffic infractions, and domestic battery. Its legal team investigates case details, handles expungement and driving record clean-up proceedings, and prepares defense plans for jury and bench trials. A member of the team, Andrew Bennett, has been in practice since 1998 and is a Master of the Bench member of the America Inns of Court.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Expungement

9219 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (23)
Facebook
4.5 (17)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Matthew N. Fech P.C. provides its services to clients in Hammond and the surrounding communities. It offers legal representation in various types of criminal defense cases, including aggravated and domestic battery, drug possession, drunk driving, expungement, and murder. It also handles claims involving property destruction, identity theft, shoplifting, and tax fraud. Matthew N. Fech, the attorney, has over 20 years of experience in the legal field. He served as the president of the Lake County Bar Association in 2020.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Matthew Fech - PrincipalActive22 yrs

7233 Indianapolis Boulevard, Hammond, IN 46324

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (22)
Facebook
5.0 (9)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Eduardo Fontanez is a bilingual firm advocating for the rights of English and Spanish speaking clients on a wide range of legal issues. Mr. Fontanez thoroughly evaluates each misdemeanor and felony case to ensure he has the appropriate data and evidence to support an effective defense strategy. The firm represents clients who are under investigation or charged with OWIs and other traffic offenses, gun charges, theft, and violent crimes among others.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Eduardo Fontanez - OwnerActive22 yrs

426 N Broad St, Griffith, IN 46319

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Ben Murphy offers criminal defense services to people in the Hammond area. Solo-practitioner Benjamen W. Murphy has over 20 years of experience in protecting the rights of individuals facing misdemeanor and felony punishments. He deals with weapon offense, drug crime, sexual assault, expungement record, and probation violation charges. Law Office of Ben Murphy also works on traffic-related criminal acts such as DUI/OWI cases. Mr. Murphy is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Benjamen Murphy - PrincipalActive26 yrs

9301 Calumet Avenue, Suite 1F, Munster, IN 46321
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (11)
Google
4.4 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Smith Sersic, Attorneys at Law, is a multi-practice firm that caters to clients in Hammond. It provides guidance to those who are facing criminal charges and aggressively represents them in court. The firm works directly with the defendants to craft strategies and handles negotiations and appeals on their behalf. Its attorney and namesake, Kevin C. Smith, is a Hammond native with over two decades of experience. He has been admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court.

  • Expungement

833 West Lincoln Highway Suite 450 E, Schererville, IN 46375
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (55)

Why choose this provider?

Gruenhagen Law serves clients in Hammond and the surrounding cities. It provides legal representation for individuals charged with criminal offenses. It represents clients accused of OWI, traffic infarctions, drug offenses, burglary, violent crimes, and CDL and trucking violations. Its attorney helps individuals understand their charges and know their rights. Mark Gruenhagen, the firm's principal, is a trial lawyer. He is licensed to practice in Illinois and is a member of the Lake County Criminal Defense Bar.

  • DWI/DUI

1322 119th Street, Whiting, IN 46394

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Ritzi Law, LLC, Attorney at Law, is a criminal defense firm that works with individuals in Hammond and its nearby areas. The office handles cases involving drug-related incidents, traffic violations, disorderly conduct, and law enforcement resistance. The firm also takes on family law matters, such as domestic violence and juvenile concerns. Counsel Joni M. Ritzi became a lawyer in 1991 and founded her own office in 2008. She is admitted to practice before the state Supreme Court.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes
  • Theft & Burglary

800 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (38)

Why choose this provider?

Leonard, Hammond, Thoma & Terrill PC has counseled clients on a variety of legal matters since 1952. The firm's criminal law attorneys handle a wide range of juvenile, city, state, federal, and appellate cases. They conduct a comprehensive investigation into the charges brought against their clients, analyzing reports and other data, conducting interviews, reconstructing scenes, and examining evidence. The firm has successfully argued misdemeanors and felonies cases, ranging from traffic violations to white collar crimes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Randall Hammond - PartnerActive43 yrs
Mark Thoma - PartnerActive41 yrs
Philip Terrill - PartnerActive59 yrs

20 N Clark St 720, Chicago, IL 60602
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (60)

Why choose this provider?

Michael J. Petro has defended clients charged with state and federal criminal offenses for more than 30 years. Mr. Petro effectively advocates for individuals who are under investigation or charged with a wide range of violations, ranging from tax offenses to violent crimes. His team conducts a thorough investigation of all elements of the case, including the analysis of police reports, applicable financial documents, and health records in addition to interviewing witnesses and evaluating crime scenes.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Michael Petro - PrincipalActive35 yrs

24 E Lincoln Hwy, Schererville, IN 46375

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (30)
Facebook
3.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Funk & Wendlinger, LLC is a multi-practice firm that defends the rights of people facing criminal charges in Hammond by getting their cases dismissed, obtaining not guilty verdicts, and reducing potential jail time and probationary terms. The firm represents clients accused of felonies and misdemeanors such as drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and theft. R. Cordell Funk has been a certified family law mediator since 1992, and David M. Wendlinger previously worked as a Lake County felony prosecutor.

  • Domestic Violence
  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Hammond, Indiana?

    Hammond 311 is an easy way to report non-emergency issues such as potholes, broken streetlights, and graffiti to the city.

  • Which criminal offenses are considered misdemeanors in Hammond?

    In Indiana, there are three types of misdemeanor offenses. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious in Indiana, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; Class B misdemeanors are less serious but still carry a six-month prison sentence and $1,000 fine; and Class C misdemeanors, excluding traffic violations, are the least serious. In Hammond, the most common misdemeanor offenses include disorderly conduct, public intoxication, possession of small quantities of marijuana, and first-time DUIs.

  • How should you act if police officers show up at your door in Hammond?

    If police want to come into your Hammond home, ask to see the warrant. Review the document and determine what it permits officers to do. Verify that your name and address appear on the document. Take advantage of your right to remain silent. You may provide your name if asked, but inform officers that you wish to exercise your right to remain silent. The entire interaction should be recorded if possible. Should you be charged in the future, this can serve as evidence.

  • What should you do if your Hammond criminal defense attorney provides you with a guarantee?

    Be careful if a criminal defense lawyer in Hammond makes promises or guarantees a certain outcome. However, there is nothing improper about a lawyer telling you what might occur in your criminal case or their assessment of your chances of success. If the attorney is knowledgeable, they should be able to gather some information about your case and provide you with a general idea of what to expect during the process, what issues may arise, and how they may handle those issues.

  • What are your options if you are arrested in Hammond and cannot afford to post bond?

    If you are detained in Hammond and given a bond that neither you nor your family can afford, your criminal defense lawyer may ask for a bond review hearing. During this hearing, the defense attorney may request that the defendant be released without bond or that the bond amount be lowered on the grounds that the defendant is not a flight risk.

  • What is the most prevalent violent crime in Hammond?

    Based on the number of murders reported by the FBI and the number of residents living in the city, NeighborhoodScout's analysis shows that Hammond has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to cities and towns of all sizes, from the largest to the smallest.