South Whitley Criminal Lawyers

Attorney Heidi R Cortez was raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she still has family. She graduated from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis with a degree in Forensic and Investigative Sciences with an emphasis in Biology. While obtaining her degree, she interned at Marion County Coroners Office. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law – Houston. During law school, she interned with the Harris County Prosecutor's Office in Houston, Texas. Additionally, she was a legal assistant at the Law Office of Perry Bass in Houston, Texas. After graduating from law school...

Ryan P. Dillon is a lifelong Hoosier and a resident of Johnson County since 2006. He grew up in rural Shelby County, where his family is actively involved in the agricultural community. He and his family currently reside in northern Johnson County. From an early age, Ryan has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Eagle Scout Award in 2001. Ryan recently was recognized for twenty years of tenure in the organization, and currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster, a council volunteer, and the Vice President of the Firecrafter Alumni Association. Prior to attending law...

The Law Office of Nick Stein represents victims of serious personal injury and families of those who died because of motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products or drugs, and slip-and-fall accidents. Although their main focus is helping injured clients, the firm also provides assistance in family law, expungements, driving offenses, and criminal law.

In his career, Nick has represented thousands of injured people. Of note, Nick conducted a successful oral argument before the Indiana Supreme Court in the case of Mayhue vs Sparkman, 653 N.E.2d 1384 (Ind. 1995), clarifying the law on the issue of "loss of chance." In addition...

Doug Garner graduated from the University of Cincinnati Law School in 1991 and spent three years as a contract Public Defender in Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1994, he established a private practice in Dearborn County, Indiana and was a Public Defender in the Dearborn County Superior Court from 1994 through 2001.

Since 2001, Doug has continued his private practice focusing on Social Security and criminal defense. He also represents several non-profit organizations, small businesses, and the Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District. Doug was on the Indiana Public Defender Council Board of Directors from 1996 to 2008 and Chairman from 2006...

Del Weldon is a Partner at the firm and focuses his practice on Criminal Defense with an emphasis on OWI/DUI Defense, Personal Injury litigation and CHINS Defense. He is an experienced trial attorney, winning verdicts at jury trials and bench trials. He is also a skilled negotiator, securing plea agreements and forcing dismissals in criminal matters, and obtaining settlements in civil matters.

As a Criminal Defense attorney, his experience at the Prosecutor's Office, including trial work and a murder case, is a major strength and provides great value to his clients. With hundreds of cases completed, he is...

Lifelong resident of Southwest Indiana and a graduate of Purdue University and Indiana University School of Law.

Lead counsel in over 1500 cases with primary focus on Criminal law.

Extensive experience helping small businesses fight against government regulations and fines

Has obtained published opinions at the Indiana Court of Appeals

An FAA licensed pilot and avid hiker.

My professional philosophy is pretty simple: I do my absolute best to protect my clients’ constitutional and procedural rights. Our Constitution protects EVERYONE - including (and especially) those accused of criminal activity. I also strive to promptly and frequently communicate with my clients. Communication, after all, is critical to working on a criminal case effectively. We all deserve “justice” - fairness - in our legal system. Criminal defense attorneys play an essential role in achieving justice for the accused. As a former (retired) FBI Special Agent, I have spent my entire adult life protecting the rights of others - including...

Graham has a multi-dimensional practice. In the governmental-services area, he assists government units with a wide range of issues—from competitive bidding and open-door-law compliance to land use issues and eminent domain proceedings. He has advised government clients at the state, county, and town levels.

In terms of litigation, Graham’s practice includes complex civil trial and appellate work in both state and federal courts. From plaintiff’s personal injury matters, and insurance coverage disputes, to breach-of-contract and real property issues, Graham has broad base of litigation experience. He has briefed cases in state trial courts, federal district court, Indiana Court of Appeals,...

I have been a licensed Indiana Attorney for over 33 years. I have both civil and criminal jury trial experience. I have tried over 30 cases in front of a jury and hundreds of bench trials in front of a Judge. I have filed numerous appeals and have nine published Indiana Reporter decisions. My private law practice is concentrated in divorce and criminal defense. My general law practice also includes family law matters, wills and personal injury cases.

Our office prides itself on our willingness to communicate with our clients. Unfortunately, not all news is good news, but an informed client is usually a happy client. Whether it be personal injury, family law or criminal law, our office will strive to conclude your legal issue efficiently and with professionalism.

I am an Attorney with 25 years of experience who was born and raised in Evansville. If you decide to hire me, I answer my own phone, and preform my work. What you see is what you get. I have extensive experience in criminal law. For six years I was a public defender in Chicago. For one year, I was a prosecutor in Evansville. I have substantial experience in both family law and business litigation. I agree with those who claim that an experienced lawyer is better than an unexperienced lawyer. In addition, I believe that a good relationship with...

Bart Betteau will stop at nothing to provide each client with the most thorough and satisfactory defense possible, ensuring a fair case and trial to every client. This includes, without limitation, carefully researching and investigating your case in order to uncover any missed or forgotten information and evidence, challenging the state’s evidence and any illegality thereof, contacting any or all other parties involved, calling appropriate witnesses to testify on your behalf and resiliently negotiating with the prosecutor in order to, when possible, reduce your charge(s) or sentence. EDUCATION: Wabash College, A.B., Magna Cum Laude, 1989 Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington,...

For over 30 years, I've represented people charged in state and federal court with misdemeanors, felonies and even tickets. I also help families when a loved one has been injured by the fault or negligence of others.

Mike Cunningham focuses his practice on criminal defense, DUI/OWI, expungements, and specialized driving privileges for clients located primarily in the southeast Indiana area. He is admitted to practice law in all of Indiana’s 92 counties as well as Indiana’s Federal District Courts.

Regardless of the accusations and criminal charges a person faces, Mike firmly believes that everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and that they are entitled to a strong defense.

With a diligent work-ethic, attention to detail, exceptional research and writing skills, and passionate advocacy in the courtroom, Mike strives to put clients at ease by protecting their rights, listening...

Dorie Maryan is a criminal defense lawyer with over 20 years of trial experience. She relocated from her Indianapolis office to Johnson County in 2015. Don't be mistaken, however, by her quiet office in the small town of Bargersville. She is aggressive and relentless when it comes to getting the best results for her clients. She represents individuals charged with all types of crimes. She has been practicing so long that chances are she knows the prosecutor assigned to your case and has been in front of the Judge before whom you will appear. ...

Matthew R. Effner (Matt) is the managing partner of Effner Law Firm. In 1996, Matt joined his father, Robert O. Effner, in the practice of law as an associate with Effner Law Firm and became a partner in 2000. He took over as managing partner in 2013. Matt is skilled at building strong cases and is a zealous advocate for his clients. He is experienced at handling issues both in and out of the courtroom. He is a former president of the Terre Haute Bar Association, and he received the Tribune Star Readers’ Choice Award for Best Lawyer in...