The Law Office of Jeff Cardella
Criminal Defense Attorney & Expungement Lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana

I began my legal career as a criminal defense attorney in Indianapolis, fighting to protect the Constitutional rights of my clients against the government. I have experience in every stage of the criminal justice process, including jury trials, court trials, suppression hearings, post-conviction relief, forfeiture proceedings, 1983 civil rights actions, Federal and State court appeals, oral argument, probation revocation hearings, expungement, sealing of records, hardship license petitions, specialized driving privileges petitions, and plea negotiations. My legal representation is client-centered and focused on accessibility.
I was selected as one of the Top 100 Attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers. I have been recognized as a Top Ten Attorney in the State of Indiana by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, and I have been recognized as a Top 10 Under 40 Criminal Defense Attorney by The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. I taught criminal law at the Indiana University School of Law and have served as a Judge pro tem in Indianapolis. I have represented a fellow criminal defense attorney, an Indianapolis Metro Police Officer, and two former Marion County Sheriff's deputies after they were arrested and accused of illegal activity. I filed the Federal Class Action lawsuit of Washington v. Marion County Prosecutor, in which Indiana’s vehicle forfeiture statute was held to be unconstitutional, under the Due Process clause of the US Constitution. I also co-authored the amicus brief for the United States Supreme Court case of Timbs v. State of Indiana, in which the United States Supreme Court held that Indiana’s attempts at forfeiture were unconstitutional under the Excessive Fines clause of the US Constitution. I filed over a dozen successful lawsuits against the Indiana Department of Corrections, challenging solitary confinement procedures under the Due Process Clause of the US Constitution. I also filed several successful lawsuits against the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for arrests that violated the First Amendment of the US Constitution. I received the Clients' Choice Award from Avvo and I have a 10 out of 10 rating on Justia. During law school I worked for the Hendricks County Prosecutors office. My time at the prosecutor's office gave me unique insight into how a prosecutor builds a case and how to exploit procedural and technical defects in the State's case.
It is my goal to provide excellent legal representation at reasonable prices (compared to other top criminal attorneys in the State of Indiana). I realize each of my clients is a real person, not just a file. I understand that even the best people can occasionally make mistakes, and I believe every person charged with a crime deserves to have an attorney fighting for them in court and protecting their Constitutional rights. I provide criminal defense representation in the entire State of Indiana on a wide range of criminal matters, including:
• Alcohol offenses such as drunk driving, chemical test refusals, minor possession of alcohol, and public intoxication cases
• Drug cases including possession, manufacturing, trafficking, paraphernalia, dealing and visiting or maintaining a common nuisance
• Domestic violence allegations such as domestic battery, invasion of privacy (violations of no contact orders), strangulation, intimidation, stalking, harassment, and criminal confinement
• Property crimes such as theft, shoplifting, criminal mischief, conversion, burglary, and robbery
• Allegations of violence such as assault, battery, manslaughter, and homicide cases
• Sex crimes including prostitution, sexual battery, rape, child molestation, exploitation, and sex-offender registry offenses
• White collar crimes such as forgery, fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, and tax crimes
• Breach of the peace crimes such as disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, trespassing and neglect of a dependent
• Gun charges and weapons offenses such as unlawful carrying, pointing a firearm and possession by a felon
• Driving offenses such as habitual traffic violator (HTV), driving while suspended, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving
• Expungement for misdemeanor and felony cases
• Forfeiture
• 1983 Civil rights actions
• Federal criminal charges and investigations
Click here for additional information about our legal services. If you have any questions about your case, please do not hesitate to contact me at 317-695-7700 for a free consultation.