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Joel D. Hand
28 years of criminal law experience. 100 jury trials. When results matter.
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Biography
Joel Hand is an experienced and widely respected litigator 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. Joel was Indiana's 1st Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor where he was responsible for training prosecutors and police how to properly investigate and prosecute DUI/DWI/OWI and other traffic cases.
Now Joel uses his vast experience to help individual clients like you to seek the best possible results and attain your goals. 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 for more than a decade as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Marion, Hamilton and Carroll Counties during which time he tried in excess of 100 jury trials including a Capital Murder case. For his efforts, Joel has received numerous awards and recognition including the 2007 M.A.D.D. National Prosecutor of the Year Award and the 2006 Indiana Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year Award.
Put Joel's wealth of knowledge and experience to work for you. Call today for a FREE initial consultation.
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
Fees
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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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- DePauw University
- B.A. (1992) | Political Science & Secondary Education
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- 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
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
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- 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
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- 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
- Indiana's New Trial Rules, Criminal Justice Section CLE on New Trial Rules, Indianapolis
- IndyBar
- Review of Indiana's New Trial Rules and how they impact criminal cases.
- A Former Prosecutor's Perspective on OVWI Cases, Annual DUI Seminar - 2023, Indianapolis
- ICLEF
- An overview of why prosecutors place such importance on impaired driving cases, the emphasis on training and what prosecutors know that you don't.
- 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
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Joel Hand Law
Legal Answers
30 Questions Answered
- Q. Is it permissible in court to request a DNA test of a hypodermic syringe for proof of innocence?
- A: First, in criminal defense, it is always important to remember that the defendant does not have to prove anything. It is up to the State to prove that a defendant committed each element of a given criminal charge.
Second, the defense lawyer MAY file a motion to have evidence confiscated by the State tested by an independent laboratory. However, any such testing will be done at the defendant's expense.
- 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.
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