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Joel D. Hand

Joel D. Hand

27 years of criminal law experience. 100 jury trials. When results matter.
  • DUI & DWI, Criminal Law, Domestic Violence ...
  • Indiana
Review This Lawyer
Lawyer Rating and Reviews
Legal Knowledge
5.0/5.0
Legal Analysis
5.0/5.0
Communication Skills
5.0/5.0
Ethics and Professionalism
5.0/5.0
Rating: 10 Lawyer Rating - 10 out of 10
The combination of all above-listed characteristics makes Joel one of the best professionals I've ever worked with
Client Reviews
Maggie D. June 2, 2023
A Fantastic Indianapolis Lawyer Over the years, we meet legal teams and often times walk away feeling defeated. I have not once felt this way while working with Joel Hand. Aside from his outstanding professionalism, he is very good with timeliness and organization. Even during s practice change, he managed to communicate and be an advocate on my behalf without missing a beat. He is a family man and is intelligent and knows Indiana state laws very well. I highly recommend him for any future services of potential clients. Thank you Joel and congratulations!
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Biography

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

Practice Areas
    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
Additional Practice Areas
  • Government Relations
  • Government Affairs
  • Lobbying
Video Conferencing
  • FaceTime
  • Skype
  • Zoom
  • RingCentral
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Free telephone consultation of up to 15 minutes.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    Visa MasterCard & Discovery accepted.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Payment plans available.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Indiana
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U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Principal/Owner
The Law Offices of Joel D. Hand
- 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
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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
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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
-
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
-
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
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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
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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
-
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
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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.
Education
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
J.D. (1995) | Law
-
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
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Logo
DePauw University
B.A. (1992) | Political Science & Secondary Education
-
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
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Awards
Client Service Award
Martindale Hubbell
Responsiveness, communication, cost-effectiveness
Client Service Award
Martindale Hubbell
Responsiveness, communication, cost-effectiveness
Client Service Award
Martindale Hubbell
Responsiveness, communication, cost-effectiveness
Award of Appreciation
Delphi Police Department
Bell Ringer for Education Award
Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction
National Prosecutor of the Year
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Award of Appreciation
Westfield Police Department
Gold Star Award
Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council
Public Service Award
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Highest civilian award that can be given by the NHTSA Administrator
Chairman's Award
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute
Executive Director's Award
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute
Indiana Prosecutor of the Year
Indiana Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Prosecutor fo the Year
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Central Indiana Chapter
Award of Appreciation
City of Beech Grove
In appreciation for the successful prosecution of Benjamin Ritchie who was convicted of the murder of Beech Grove Police Officer William Toney.
Prosecutor fo the Year
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Central Indiana Chapter
Professional Associations
Indianapolis Bar Association
Criminal Justice Section Executive Committee
- Current
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Hamilton County Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Government Affairs Society of Indiana
Associate Member
-
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Miles Ahead
Advisory Board Member
-
Activities: Helped design curriculum for the Miles Ahead Teen Safe Driving Program. Serves as a continuing advisor to Miles Ahead founders & C.E.O.
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Fishers Youth Assistance Program
Board President
-
Activities: Serves at the inaugural president of a new not-for-profit entity to provide preventative services for at-risk youth.
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Indianapolis Bar Association
Small and Solo Firms Executive Committee
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Indiana State Bar Association
Law School for Legislators Planning Committee
-
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Parent Teacher Organization
Board Secretary
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Speaking Engagements
Expungements and Specialized Driving Privileges, ICLEF OVWI Seminar, Indianapolis
Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation
Indiana Education Legislative Update, Annual Members Meeting, Indianapolis
Indiana Coalition for Public Education
2020 K-12 Education Legislative Update, Indiana School Public Relations Association Annual Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel
Indiana School Public Relations Association
2019 K-12 Education Legislative Update, 2019 INSPRA Annual Conference, Indiana Landmarks Society
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
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.
2019 K-12 Education Legislative Update, Indiana PTA Convention, Drury Plaza Hotel
Indiana PTA
Provided attendees with a summary of K-12 education legislation being considered by the Indiana General Assembly in 2019.
IC 9-30 & OVWI - Recent Cases and Statutory Changes, Hot Topics & Fast Cars, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Bar Association
Provided attendees with an update on recent appellate decisions and statutory changes related to drunk driving cases in Indiana.
Websites & Blogs
Website
Joel Hand Law
Legal Answers
29 Questions Answered
Q. Had court yesterday was there had to leave before over filed continuance and they put warrant or writ body attmnt
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
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?
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.
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Contact & Map
Law Office of Joel D. Hand
Indianapolis
1512 N. Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Telephone: (317) 550-0778
Cell: (317) 608-6621
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Friday: 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Appointments outside of normal business hours available upon request.
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