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Paul Stanko
also known as Law Offices of Paul Stanko
About Paul
Biography
Former Superior Court Judge Paul Stanko is one of Indiana’s most experienced and recognized criminal lawyers, serving the public for over 45 years. As a prosecutor, judge, defense attorney, and professor of criminal justice and constitutional law, he has counseled, educated, and helped thousands of persons with issues in Indiana criminal courts. He has vast knowledge, expertise and experience in criminal matters.
The Law Offices of Paul Stanko, Attorney at Law, are focused on providing high-quality client service and superior outcomes.
Paul Stanko’s practice is devoted to the defense of those accused of drunk driving, drug possession, and other offenses. From his Plymouth offices, he serves clients with criminal cases in Marshall, Kosciusko, Fulton, Miami, and Starke counties.
Paul Stanko has been chosen by his peers to serve as a member of the Board of Governors, Court of Appeals, and Historian of the American Judges Association, as well as chairman of the Retired/Senior Judges Committee and member of the Membership, Conference Site, and Court Security committees of that organization.
He is also a proud member of the Marshall County Bar Association, Kosciusko County Bar Association, Fulton County Bar Association and the (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) NORML Legal Committee.
Paul Stanko has practiced Indiana criminal law for over 45 years, since January 1979, when, at the age of 23, he was appointed a deputy prosecutor. In 1985, at the age of 30, he was appointed a presiding judge of the Superior Court of Lake County, one of Indiana's busiest courts. Since he returned to private practice in 1992, he has dedicated himself to the defense of persons accused of drunk driving, drug and other crimes. Paul Stanko has also taught Constitutional Law and other criminal justice courses (some of which he created) at the university level. He has been a prosecutor, judge, criminal defense attorney, or criminal justice professor his entire career.
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
40%
47 years
DUI and DWI
25%
47 years
Cannabis Law
10%
47 years
Drug Crime
10%
47 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Indiana for 47 years
State: Indiana
Acquired: 1979
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2006
Location
Law Offices of Paul Stanko - Plymouth/Marshall County Office
214 West Washington Street, Plymouth, IN, 46563
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Paul Stanko's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 97 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Miranda | September 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Unequaled Criminal Lawyer!
Paul has assisted me multiple times over the course of several years. I have also referred friends and family to him. His knowledge and experience are unequaled, and he is universally respected within the courts of Marshall County. His advice has always been spot on. He will never sugar coat the trut...
Posted by Lisa | May 13, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Still waiting.
I have called three or four times because your client is in jail and can't call and what you told her is not what it shows online and as I explained I think it is wrong that it was wrote in his it was to commence when it should have said concluded. I don't understand is it because your court appointe...
Posted by Zach | February 14, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Not just a great Lawyer, but an old school great man.
Before I retained Paul, I already had an attorney that was rated highly and wasn't cheap. I had a pretty tough case, being accused of domestic battery on my teenage daughter. It was totally false btw. But that first attorney didn't care what I had to say and didn't believe me at all. After a few mont...
Posted by anonymous | July 26, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Horrible Attorney
Mr. Stanko never returned a call or visited my fiance when he was court appointed. The judge court ordered him to appear twice to my fiance and he never did. He doesn't care about his clients well being at all. If I could give him half a star he would barely earn that. I will never suggest using Mr. ...
Paul Stanko
Replied last February 13, 2024This review is both anonymous and bogus. I have never missed a court appearance for any client. Also, this review was by a supposed client's "fiance". If the actual client had a beef, I would happily respond. I am not responding to criticisms from people who are not clients or former clients. For all I know, this person may have been the alleged victim in a client's case, perturbed at my ability to achieve a great result for my actual client.
Posted by Rob | March 2, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
My lawyer
Not quite sure whose writing his reviews but they are not correct. My case has been dragging on for over 9 months and MR STANKO HAS NOT ANSWERED A SINGLE TEXT CALL OR EMAIL. The only time ive spoken with him was first court appearance and it was less then 5 minutes. He continued my cade and if it was...
Paul Stanko
Replied last February 13, 2024I am one of the rare lawyers who gives every client his personal cell phone number. In fact I encourage text communications. I answer all text messages and emails as promptly as possible. Since you identify yourself only as "Rob", I have no way of directly addressing your supposed complaints, but I have never left a client hanging without communication for 9 months. That is pure fantasy. If you are real person, you have both my cell phone and email. You could always contact me any hour of the day or night.
Paul Stanko's Lawyer Endorsements
"Look at Paul Stanko's experience and credentials. Then look at the quality of the attorneys who have endorsed him. It is easy to see that Paul Stanko is one of the best in the business. I am honored to endorse Mr. Stanko. Andrew Mishlove Glendale, Wisconsin"
"I fully and comletely endorse Paul Stanko. As a fellow DUI lawyer, I send him all of my clients when they are in his area."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a well known and respected criminal defense attorney for a reason!"
"Paul Stanko is a knowledgeable and hardworking lawyer that I know."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Clearly, he is competent and experienced."
"I endorse this lawyer. Aggressive representation in the court room is something every client needs. Look no further."
"An aggressive attorney who represents clients well. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Paul has a great deal of experience and is well respected within the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Paul Stanko. I have opposed Paul in many cases and have aways known him to be responsive, knowledgeable, and prepared."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I strongly endorse Paul. Highly respected in the legal community with an outstanding reputation for client advocacy and dedication."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Top notch DUI attorney."
"Mr. Stanko is a well-respected member of the legal community who has a significant amount of experience to draw on when helping his clients. I have no hesitation in recommending him to any needing legal services in the northern part of Indiana."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2006.
Public Reprimand issued in IN, 2006
updated on 02/13/2024A reprimand means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State gives the lawyer a public reprimand in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.
Paul’s comment:
“Over 20 years ago, when I had significant but temporary health issues, including sinus surgery and a mini-stroke, a couple of administrative details were missed on 2 cases (out of the many hundreds I handle on a yearly basis). Although the date of disposition is 2006, the dates of the supposed transgressions were in 2004 or earlier. ALSO, my temporary health issues were SPECIFICALLY recognized in the court's order.”
Honors
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2014
Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates
2014
Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
2014
Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers-Indiana, American Society of Legal Advocates
2014
Client Satisfaction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Top 100 DUI Attorneys-Indiana, National Advocacy for DUI Defense
2012
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2003
Adjunct Professor of the Year, Indiana University Northwest
1989
Oustanding Young Men of America, US Jaycees
1984
Outstanding Young Men of America, US Jaycees
1976
Senior Award, Duquesne University
1976
Senior Award, Duquesne University Debating Society
1976
Outstanding Senior Award, Alpha Phi Omega-Pi Chi Chapter
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Contract Attorney, Superior Courts of Marshall County
2019 - Present
Owner, Law Offices of Paul Stanko-Plymouth/Marshall County Office
2004 - Present
Contract Attorney, Crown Point City Court
1992 - Present
Owner, Law Offices of Paul Stanko-Crown Point/Winfield Office
2007 - 2007
Adjunct Professor-School of Business and Economics, Indiana University Northwest
2005 - 2020
Owner, Law Offices of Paul Stanko-South Bend (St. Joseph County) Office
2001 - 2009
Appellate Attorney, Superior Court of Lake County Indiana
1997 - 2007
Adjunct Professor-School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Northwest
1985 - 1992
Presiding Judge, Superior Court of Lake County, Indiana
1981 - 1985
Owner, Law Office of Paul Stanko
1980 - 1981
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Lake County Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Office
1979 - 1980
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Starke County Indiana Prosecutors Office
Associations
2019 - Present
American Judges AssociationCourt of Appeals
2019 - Present
Plymouth Chamber of CommerceMember
2018 - Present
Marshall County Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Chartered Institute of ArbitratorsAssociate
2013 - Present
American Judges AssociationChairman, Retired/Senior Judges Committee
2011 - Present
American Judges AssociationHistorian
2010 - Present
NORML Legal CommitteeMember
2009 - Present
American Judges AssociationMember, Membership Committee
1974 - Present
Phi Alpha Theta National History Honorary SocietyMember
2009 - 2019
American Judges AssociationGovernor
Sample of Legal Cases
P______ v. State
Not Guilty on all charges
Landis v. State
Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court reversed conviction. On remand, we obtained a dismissal of charge.
Education
1986
National Judicial College
Special Courts Jurisdiction Certificate
1978
Valparaiso University School of Law
Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD)
1976
Duquesne University
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Speaking Engagements
2012
2nd Annual Bench and Bar Conference
Recent Developments in Criminal Law
2001
DWI: Live CLE
Representing the Habitual Offender
2001
DWI: Live CLE
Effects of Out-of-State Convictions
1990
High School Graduation
Commencement
Publications
2005
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE SUPREME COURT
Schmerber v. California (Article)
2005
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE SUPREME COURT
Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart (Article)
1994
Computer Software
Instant OWI: Just Add Clients
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
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05 May 2020
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