Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Crown Point Area

Since entering the practice of law in 1980, John Maksimovich has represented hundreds of defendants facing criminal charges in Indiana State and U.S. Federal Courts. Mr. Maksimovich has extensive experience as primary defense counsel in all aspects of complex and multi-defendant state and federal criminal cases, including bail, detention, and preliminary hearing, violation of supervised release, pre-trial motion practice, trial, sentencing, appeal, and post conviction relief. Committed to excellence in all areas of practice, Mr. Maksimovich has successfully represented defendants against both the federal and state death penalty and in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is an active member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel at both the District Court and Appellate Court level for criminal, post-conviction, and civil rights appointments. Mr. Maksimovich's criminal defense work has led to numerous acquittals, case dismissals, and other favorable outcomes for individuals and multiple defendants accused of murder, RICO crimes, Hobbs act robbery crimes, drug crimes, firearm crimes, kidnapping crimes, and white collar crimes.

Peter grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, and graduated from Chesterton High School before continuing his education at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. During his time in college, Peter completed an internship with Barnes & Thornburg LLP, where he assisted a partner in anticipation of a complex civil trial. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in 2015, Peter attended Valparaiso University Law School, where he was in the top 15% percent of his class, a member of the Valparaiso Honors Program, and a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Judge Julia Jent in the Porter County Superior Court. Peter then transferred to Indiana University McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he completed an externship with IUPUI’s Athletic Department and was the recipient of the Patrick J. Burns Excellence in Tax Award. During his time in law school, Peter worked as a certified legal intern for Trapp Law, LLC, in Indianapolis, where he assisted attorneys on numerous criminal defense litigation and family law matters. After graduating law school in 2018, Peter accepted a position as an associate attorney for Trapp Law, LLC, and was quickly responsible for the firm’s low-level felony and misdemeanor cases. At the age of 24, Peter obtained his first not-guilty jury verdict for a client charged with Level 3 Felony Rape. In addition to criminal law, Peter has experience in family law, estate litigation, civil litigation, and worker’s compensation proceedings. Peter now returns to Northwest Indiana to join the accomplished trial attorneys at Stracci Law Group.

Paul Stracci is a very experienced trial attorney who has had remarkable success in the courtroom.  He successfully defended his first murder case 10 months out of law school, with the jury returning a not guilty verdict on all counts.  Paul is a straight shooter and clients may rely upon his honesty, integrity, and willingness to tell the facts as they are.  Paul maintains a strong rapport with his clients as well as with other legal professionals in the area.  He is a relationship builder, who has built strong relationships with local officials, lawyers, and government agencies, all of which provide him with keen insight into and knowledge of the criminal justice system. Practicing at both the state and federal levels, Paul and his team handle a wide variety of criminal and personal injury cases. Injury cases range from dog bites to trucking accidents to wrongful death cases. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors and OWIs to serious felony drug charges and murder. Paul specializes in defending drug distribution and conspiracy cases, criminal gang activity and firearms offenses, white collar and public corruption cases, healthcare fraud offenses, child pornography and sex cases, and other highly complex and often high profile criminal cases. In addition, Paul has had particular success in defending drunk driving criminal offenses.  He is a long-time member of the National College for Drunk Driving Defense and has completed drunk-driving courses at the Harvard Law School.  Paul has also completed the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner’s Course and the 12 Step Drug Recognition Expert Mini-Course.  He has the knowledge and skills to often successfully challenge drunk driving breath tests and blood draws for intoxication. Lastly, Paul has a highly regarded and talented team of lawyers, researchers, and other professionals who work with him as a team, enabling him to work on multiple high-profile cases with the dedication and resources of any firm in the northwest Indiana area.

My name is Attorney Shane O'Donnell.  I am a former Lake County Prosecutor.  While being employed at the Prosecutor's Office, I handled numerous misdemeanor and felony cases including DUI/OWI, drug dealing and possession, theft and conversion, burglary, battery, and murder.  Presently, I concentrate solely in criminal defense, traffic, DUI/OWI, and accident and injury cases.  I was also named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association in both 2014 and 2015.

Maryam A. Afshar-Stewart's rapid rise through the legal field is the result of a deeply-rooted work ethic, singleness of purpose, and the lifelong pursuit of one goal..to win. Even as a child, Maryam always knew she was going to be an attorney. The first-generation daughter of an immigrant mother and father, Maryam learned early in life that success comes to those willing to put in the work. As a result, while still completing her bachelor's degree at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, Maryam's persistence and academic achievement helped her secure a position at the prestigious Chicago law firm of Kirkland and Ellis, LLP where she assisted attorneys in preparing major cases for complex litigation as well as other sophisticated transactional matters.. After gaining valuable experience in private practice and obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology, Maryam attended Valparaiso University Law School, in Valparaiso, Indiana where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 2016. During her time in law school, Maryam gained valuable insight as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., presiding judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois as well as the Honorable Judge Samuel L. Cappas in the Lake Superior Court Criminal Division, Lake County, Indiana. Maryam also gained practical experience as a part of Valparaiso University Law School’s Criminal Clinic where she defended indigent clients charged with a range of misdemeanors and felonies. In addition, Maryam was a member of the Valparaiso University Law Review Executive Board where she authored and published the article Wrongfully Incarcerated Never Fully Compensated: An Examination of Indiana’s Failure to Indemnify Exonerated Inmates, a discussion of the pervasive problem of wrongful incarceration and the lack of just compensation for those later found to be innocent. Maryam also worked directly with the metro homicide unit in the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. Maryam was President of the Women Law Student’s Association and Vice-President of the Muslim Students Association.. After graduating law school in 2016, Maryam accepted a position as a deputy prosecuting attorney with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office where she has prosecuted hundreds of felonies and misdemeanors. Maryam has conducted twenty trials and has secured convictions in complex murders, domestic violence, kidnapping, and sexual assault cases at trial. She was also selected to assist in the prosecution of a death penalty case.. Maryam's reputation as a tough, aggressive trial attorney earned her an appointment by elected Lake County Prosecutor, Bernard Carter, to the newly-formed Lake County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, which specializes in prosecuting cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, and domestic violence related homicides. Maryam has extensive experience and has received training from experts throughout the country on the particular and unique issues involved in the prosecution of sex crimes and domestic violence. Maryam has also served as keynote speaker at forums to discuss the prosecution and defense of cases involving domestic violence and sex crimes.She has also conducted various trainings for law enforcement officers and nurses on topics that include investigation, prosecution, and courtroom testimony. Maryam was also a member of the Lake County Sexual Assault Response Team.. Outside the Prosecutor’s Office, Maryam worked as an Adjunct Professor of Law at her alma mater, Valparaiso University Law School, educating the next generation of attorneys in trial practice.. Having mastered the intricacies of prosecution work, Maryam joined Stracci Law Group and brought with her that same belief that success comes to those willing to put in the work and continues the pursuit of what has always been her goal..to win!

I recently left Indiana to pursue opportunities in North Carolina.  As a result, I am starting over like I did when I graduated from law school.  I am currently interning at a law firm in Kernersville, North Carolina where my focus is family law and supporting the attorney's in all that they do.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Crown Point and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Crown Point and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Crown Point and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Crown Point and surrounding areas.