Joel D. Hand

Joel Hand is an experienced and widely respected litigator and registered lobbyist who knows that one of the keys to success is building strong relationships with his clients and providing a personal touch to legal representation. Joel forged his trial skills while working as a deputy prosecutor handling cases of the highest level of complexity including many homicides, drug crimes, robberies, burglaries and even a death penalty case. Now Joel uses his vast experience to help individual clients like you to seek the best possible results and attain your goals. Joel is intimately familiar with the legislative process having worked as the Director of Legislative and Government Relations for a state agency and assisted in the crafting of numerous pieces of legislation over the years. He maintains strong relationships with many current legislators and is active with the Indiana State Bar Association’s Law School for Legislators program. Joel is a 1995 graduate of Indiana University McKinney School of Law and a 1992 graduate of DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Secondary Education. Joel is a private solo practitioner with offices in Indianapolis and Fishers, Indiana. Previously, Joel worked as the Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs for the Indiana Department of Public Instruction from 2007 to 2009 and on the Department’s legal staff from 1995 through 1996. Joel also worked for more than a decade as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Marion, Hamilton and Carroll Counties during which time he tried in excess of 80 jury trials including a Capital Murder case. For his efforts, Joel has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Indiana Department of Education “Bell Ringer for Education Award” in 2009, the 2007 M.A.D.D. National Prosecutor of the Year Award, the 2006 Indiana Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year Award, the 2005 Indiana C

DUI & DWI

Criminal Law

Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

Education Law

Juvenile Law

Traffic Tickets

Suspended License

Gov & Administrative Law

Administrative Law, Election Law, Government Contracts, Government Finance, Legislative & Government Affairs

• Government Relations
• Government Affairs
• Lobbying

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• Free Consultation
  Free telephone consultation of up to 15 minutes.
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• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Payment plans available.

Indiana

Since 1995

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

Since 1995

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Since 1995

Principal/Owner

The Law Offices of Joel D. Hand

2011 - Current

Private solo practice of law concentrating in criminal defense, juvenile law, education law, family law, administrative law & legislative lobbying/government relations

Chief Deputy Prosecutor

Carroll County Prosecutor's Office

2009 - 2010

Prosecuted all misdemeanor & felony cases in Superior Court Conducted 5 jury trials, including Class A Felony Child Molest Organized, supervised and drafted procedural protocols for Indiana's 1st watercraft sobriety checkpoint Completed Reid School of Interview & Interrogation

Conflict Public Defender

Rush County Public Defender's Office

2009 - 2009

Served as contract public defender for all levels of felony & misdemeanor cases on which the Rush County Public Defender had a conflict of interest

Director of Legislative & Governmental Affairs

Indiana Department of Education

2007 - 2009

Directed the legislative initiatives of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Drafted proposed legislation and amendments Worked with legislators and legislative staff Apprised Department staff of legislative changes & proposals Coordinated & provided Department testimony at legislative hearings

Deputy Prosecutor

Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office

2006 - 2007

Supervisor of prosecutors in Superior Courts 4, 5 & 6 Conducted approximately 15 misdemeanor & felony jury trials Fatal Alcohol Crash Team Prosecutor Liaison to Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership Liaison to the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol & Other Drugs

Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor

Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council

2004 - 2006

Served as Indiana's 1st Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Designed curriculum for and taught numerous continuing legal education courses focused on DUI/DWI and traffic law Served as faculty at the National District Attorneys Association National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina Advocated for and helped draft DUI/DWI legislation Provided research and guidance for prosecutors and law enforcement officers throughout Indiana National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Public Service Award National District Attorneys Association Traffic Safety Prosecutor of the Year Award Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Directors Award

Deputy Prosecutor

Marion County Prosecutor's Office

1996 - 2003

Prosecuted all levels of criminal offenses from traffic infractions to Capital Murder. Successfully prosecuted death penalty case of State of Indiana v. Benjamin Ritchie Created, obtained federal grant money for and supervised the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team Supervised 30+ deputy prosecutors in the misdemeanor and D Felony division Conducted more than 60 felony jury trials & hundreds of bench trials Liaison to Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership Completed crash reconstruction school Levels I & II Completed Standardized Field Sobriety Training

Legal Counsel to State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Indiana Department of Education

1995 - 1996

Administrative Law Judge Counsel to the Special Education Board of Appeals Prosecuted teacher license suspension & revocation actions Provided legal guidance and legislative and regulatory interpretation to the State Superintendent and Department of Education staff as well as local school corporations & the public

Certified Legal Intern

Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office

1993 - 1995

Complied with standing discovery orders in all criminal cases, second chair for five jury trials including murder, burglary, and DUI/DWI. First chair for numerous misdemeanor, juvenile and traffic infraction bench trials.

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

J.D. (1995) | Law

1992 - 1995

Certified Legal Intern - Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office (1993-1995)

Honors: Dean's List Client Counseling Competition - National Qualifier

Activities: Phi Alpha Delta - Hammill Chapter Co-Justice Client Counseling Competition - Co-Chair Republican Law Coalition - President Christian Legal Society Federalist Society

DePauw University

B.A. (1992) | Political Science & Secondary Education

1988 - 1992

Honors: Delta Sigma Rho - Tau Kappa Alpha - National Tournament Superior Speaker Award (1991, 1992) Delta Sigma Rho - Tau Kappa Alpha - National Tournament Excellent Speaker Award (1990) Kappa Delta Pi - Outstanding Student Teacher (1992) Margaret Nobel Lee Speech Competition Winner (1989, 1990, 1992) Dean's List

Activities: DePauw University Debate Team Delta Sigma Rho - Tau Kappa Alpha - Honorary Fraternity Kappa Delta Pi - Honorary Fraternity Political Science Club - President Indiana Federation of College Republicans - State President Internship - Office of the Vice President of the United States Internship - United States Senator Richard G. Lugar Internship - Indiana Department of Education Internship - Indiana State Senate

Client Service Award

Martindale Hubbell

2013

Responsiveness, communication, cost-effectiveness

Client Service Award

Martindale Hubbell

2012

Responsiveness, communication, cost-effectiveness

Client Service Award

Martindale Hubbell

2011

Responsiveness, communication, cost-effectiveness

Award of Appreciation

Delphi Police Department

2010

Bell Ringer for Education Award

Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction

2009

Indianapolis Bar Association

Criminal Justice Section Executive Committee

2019 - Current

Hamilton County Bar Association

Member

2006 - Current

Government Affairs Society of Indiana

Associate Member

2012 - 2019

Miles Ahead

Advisory Board Member

2011 - 2017

Activities: Helped design curriculum for the Miles Ahead Teen Safe Driving Program. Serves as a continuing advisor to Miles Ahead founders & C.E.O.

Fishers Youth Assistance Program

Board President

2014 - 2015

Activities: Serves at the inaugural president of a new not-for-profit entity to provide preventative services for at-risk youth.

Expungements and Specialized Driving Privileges, ICLEF OVWI Seminar, Indianapolis

November 11, 2022

Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation

Indiana Education Legislative Update, Annual Members Meeting, Indianapolis

August 20, 2022

Indiana Coalition for Public Education

2020 K-12 Education Legislative Update, Indiana School Public Relations Association Annual Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel

March 5, 2020

Indiana School Public Relations Association

2019 K-12 Education Legislative Update, 2019 INSPRA Annual Conference, Indiana Landmarks Society

March 14, 2019

Indiana School Public Relations Association

Provided attendees with an overview of K-12 education legislation being considered by the Indiana General Assembly in 2019.

2019 K-12 Education Legislative Update, Northwest Indiana Coalition for Public Education Forum, Merrillville High School

March 25, 2019

Northwest Indiana Coalition for Public Education

Provided attendees with a review of legislation being considered by the Indiana General Assembly impacting K-12 public education.

Q. Had court yesterday was there had to leave before over filed continuance and they put warrant or writ body attmnt

September 20, 2023

A: It sounds as though you are attempting to represent yourself rather than use an attorney. That is a mistake. Just because you file a request for a continuance does not mean that it will be granted. Local rules sometimes require that a request for continuance be filed days in advance of a hearing. You should seek out an experienced attorney who regularly practices in the court where your case is pending to see if they can help you get the warrant recalled. Otherwise, you run the risk of being picked up on the warrant and held in jail until the judge schedules your next hearing or sets a bond.

Q. Can a judge allow two level fives felonies reduce the charges to misdemeanors because of a plea agreement. In indiana

August 20, 2023

A: A judge may accept or reject any plea agreement presented. Plea agreements are negotiated between the prosecutor and the defense attorney. All parties, including the defendant, must be in agreement for a plea agreement to be filed with the court. Once a plea agreement is filed, the judge will hold a change of plea hearing to determine whether or not to accept the plea agreement. With most felony cases, the judge must order a pre-sentence investigation (PSI) report to be prepared by the probation department. The PSI will provide the judge necessary information to help determine whether or not it is appropriate to accept the plea agreement.

Q. Can a person receive jail time if they have a 2nd DUI and resist arrest?

August 20, 2023

A: Yes. A person convicted of a second OVWI in Indiana will be required to serve no less than 5 days in custody or no less than 240 hours of community service work. This is true regardless of how long ago the prior conviction was.