1. Rigney Law — Midtown & North Meridian
Former Marion County deputy prosecutors, per the firm.
Rigney Law is a husband-and-wife team handling OWI, drug, gun and violent crime charges from East 38th Street.
250 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205
The 6 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Indianapolis (2026)
The best criminal defense lawyers in Indianapolis in 2026 include Rigney Law and Gemma & Karimi, whose lawyers describe themselves as former prosecutors, the Law Offices of Jesse K. Sanchez for major felonies, Harwell Criminal Defense for appeals and crimmigration, Tompkins Law Firm, and Banks & Brower for non-citizens.
The list at a glance
| Firm | Office | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Rigney Law | Midtown & North Meridian | Serious charges | Clients wanting former prosecutors |
| 2. Gemma & Karimi | Downtown Indianapolis | Criminal defense and OWI | Trial-focused defense |
| 3. Law Offices of Jesse K. Sanchez | Downtown Indianapolis | Major felonies and expungement | Felonies and clearing a record |
| 4. Harwell Criminal Defense | Downtown Indianapolis | Appeals and crimmigration | Appeals and non-citizens |
| 5. Tompkins Law Firm | Downtown Indianapolis | White collar and drug crimes | East Market Street clients |
| 6. Banks & Brower | Keystone & the North Side | Criminal defense and immigration | Non-citizens facing charges |
Most criminal cases in Indianapolis are heard in Marion County courts. Many defense lawyers here once worked as Marion County prosecutors. If you aren't a US citizen, ask about immigration consequences before any plea.
2. Gemma & Karimi — Downtown Indianapolis
Ex-prosecutors, per the firm.
Gemma & Karimi describes its attorneys as ex-prosecutors with over 25 years of combined trial experience.
320 N Meridian St, Suite 901, Indianapolis, IN 46204
3. Law Offices of Jesse K. Sanchez — Downtown Indianapolis
Lists post-conviction relief.
The Law Offices of Jesse K. Sanchez handles major felonies, sex crimes, domestic violence, drug crimes and expungement.
333 Alabama St, Suite 358, Indianapolis, IN 46204
4. Harwell Criminal Defense — Downtown Indianapolis
Lists crimmigration defense.
Harwell Criminal Defense handles appeals and post-conviction relief as well as crimmigration defense, from East Market Street.
156 E Market St, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204
5. Tompkins Law Firm — Downtown Indianapolis
Lists white collar crimes.
Tompkins Law Firm handles drug and white collar crimes as well as OWI.
608 E Market St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
6. Banks & Brower — Keystone & the North Side
Criminal and immigration together.
Banks & Brower handles both criminal law and immigration, which matters when a plea could affect your status.
8710 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I'm arrested in Indianapolis?
Stay polite, give your identifying details, say you want a lawyer and don't answer questions without one. Don't discuss the case on a jail phone, because calls can be recorded.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost?
Many charge a flat fee by charge and stage of the case. Ask whether a trial is included. If you can't afford a lawyer and could go to jail, you can ask the court to appoint one.
Can I clear my record?
Indiana has an expungement law that covers many arrests and convictions after waiting periods, but there are exclusions, and you generally get one chance to file. Ask a lawyer before filing.