Paul Stanko

After meeting with Paul on a OWI charge I knew he was the one I wanted to repesent me. He is a man of great honor and knowlage. Paul truly cared about me and was abel to take a OWI (1.7 bac) to a reduced reckless driving. Paul is well respected and fair. I owe this great man my life! I am so happy I ...cryed all day whwn he told me my charge was reduced! Now I can keep my job and licence. God bless you Mr. Stanko!! Anyone who wants to contact me please do I have all the proof of my case and what this great man has done for me.

I have an Ohio driver's license but was arrested for DUI in Indiana during a business trip. I called several attorneys in the South Bend area before I spoke to Mr. Stanko, and none of them had any idea of what an Ohio resident could expect if he was convicted of DUI in Indiana. I finally found Mr. St...anko online and had a phone consultation with him for nearly an hour (free, which surprised me). He quoted me a flat fee for whatever was required in my case (even if I needed to go to trial), which I thought was very fair, and he even allowed me to split my fee into several payments. He was very careful to explain to me that he is only licensed in Indiana and could not advise me on Ohio law, but he also mentioned that I may be able to get credit for an Indiana suspension against any suspension Ohio ordered (he explained that every state handles these cases differently). In the end, my license was NEVER suspended, because he got me into the ignition interlock program and my case was dropped to reckless driving. I was impressed with his vast knowledge of the law, his willingness to explain procedures to someone who was new to this issue, and his dedication to getting me a good deal. I was completely satisfied with his efforts, and I cannot be more pleased with the outcome!

I'm sure that my story is much the same as other clients who have needed Mr. Stanko's services. When I got arrested in Mishawaka for drunk driving, I checked around to see who would be the best DUI lawyer to defend me. I actually had a friend, another student, whom he had helped just last year. He re...commended him as a person who would guide me through the whole ordeal with as little trauma as possible. I also read his reviews and endorsements on Avvo. I talked to Mr. Stanko on the phone for about a half hour before my first court date, and he explained the ignition interlock program, which he said I should be eligible for. When we met at court a few days later, he had the order ready for the judge to sign so I could keeping driving, as long as I had the interlock installed. He also had all the information I needed to get everything done that I needed to do before my next court date. I was fortunate to have my charges reduced to public intoxication when I went back to court in 6 months. I saved a lot of money on car insurance by avoiding a DUI conviction. Mr. Stanko's fees are explained up front, and they are set in advance. He explains every step of the process and guides you through everything you need to know and do. I found that he answered almost all of my questions before I even asked, but any time I needed his advice he was very helpful. He has a way of explaining things to people without talking down to them. [By the way, the only negative reviews I have ever seen of Judge Stanko were on Yelp---If you make the mistake of looking THERE for reviews, make sure you check the "filtered" reviews, of which he has MANY favorable ones. Yelp is known for filtering out favorable reviews of businesses that don't advertise with them. I opened a Yelp account and posted my favorable review of Judge Stanko, and guess what! It was "filtered" out! I am very thankful for Avvo, which I consider the most reliable source for REAL reviews of lawyers.]

Highly recommended. Judge Stanko was recommended to me by an acquaintance whom he had assisted with a case in South Bend. My case was also in South Bend, and I called him before my first court date. I'm glad I did! It just so happens that no charges had been filed before that date, and if I had gon...e to court that morning, the judge would have just told me to come back in 30 days. Apparently it is common for drunk driving cases to be filed weeks after the arrest. I made payment arrangements with Mr. Stanko and he got my court date continued. By that time, he had already met with the prosecutor and worked out a plea bargain to have my charges reduced. I went to court only one time for my initial hearing and one time to plead to public intoxication, and because I had completed all of my requirements beforehand, I never had to be on probation. It was very helpful and comforting to have a counselor who knew all the procedures and had all the information I needed to maneuver my way through the court system. It really reduced my stress level, and it saved me unnecessary trips to South Bend and days off work.

Paul Stanko is a brilliant, personable, and professional DUI defense specialist. He always kept me informed and at ease throughout the entire court process. His reputation is well deserved (as proven by his results for me and his other clients). I have recommended Judge Stanko to family members and f...riends, and have gotten very favorable feedback from them as well. I recommend him without hesitation to anyone in need of a criminal lawyer. In South Bend there's simply no one better than Paul Stanko.