Attorney Paul Stanko-South Bend Lawyer

I contacted Paul after I was pulled over for speeding in Kosciusko County. The cop smelled weed in my car, and I admitted to having a small quantity in my console. I mistakenly thought I was facing just a small fine, but possession is still a crime in Indiana! Paul got me a Pretrial Diversion. Basically, I stayed out of trouble, and the case was eventually dismissed. Definitely call Paul if you get arrested in Indiana! BTW, I found him through NORML. more

I can’t believe how great a criminal lawyer Paul Stanko is! He downplays his experience (“I have been practicing over 40 years, so sometimes I get it right!”--actual quote) but there really is no substitute for experience! One thing I noticed every time we went to court was how much respect everyone in the courts showed him. It was obvious that everybody in the system appreciates his knowledge and experience. I can't imagine that a less accomplished or respected lawyer would have gotten me the amazing deal he got. When he told me what he had accomplished, I thought he was joking at first. I hope I never need him again, but will tell anyone I know that Judge Paul Stanko is the one to see for criminal cases in Plymouth. He is brilliant, confident, professional, and an all around great human being. more

Paul led my family and I through a very difficult time. Very compassionate! more

Had a horrible experience working with Paul. His communication skills are unacceptable, he is disorganized and failed to explain plea agreement in its entirety to client. Client admitted fault, per Paul's recommendation and got maximum (3yrs) for a DUI. Paul did not respond to our calls or texts until we posed a "new" client. My fiance missed the birth of our child because of the way this legal situation was handled - I believe jail time could have been avoided with different steps taken. How was he a judge? more

Paul basically stole $700 from my college student daughter. She paid him to help her get a marijuana charge expunged. He never contacted her. He has the money!!! more

Paul Stanko got me out of a huge jam after I foolishly allowed police into my home "just to talk". They didn't have a warrant, but they saw some cannabis plants I had for my personal use. They tried to get me to be an informant and wanted me to cooperate in return for not filing charges. Long story short, I contacted Judge Stanko, and he got them off my back. No charges were ever filed, and I never heard from them again! more

I have no idea how anyone could write a good review about Mr. Stanko. #1, lack of communication, i understand we are not his only clients. What im saying is a complete LACK OF COMMUNICATION, never responded. In the event that he did "idk"!!! You don't know?! That's what you were hired for, to know!! #2 appsolutly no drive or ambition. It's like pulling teeth to get him to do anything. A week of asking got an E-file, well i hope, he never responded. #3 he act's like he could care less. My girlfriend had been attempting to contact him for days. She later appointed me p.o.a. to help. i contacted him, his excuse for not talking to her. "Bad phone audio for the money" apparently the phones are so bad in the Marshall County Jail. He refuses to answer them. The truth is i talk to my girlfriend 2 times a day. With no problems. But if they are that bad get down there and talk to her!!!! #4 act's so busy. If your that busy, work a little harder or take on less clients. He has been paid. Not asking for charity work. If you want to waste a bunch of money, while you or someone you love is sitting in jail, by all means hire Paul. more

Paul has now represented me for several years in 3 different counties (St. Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall). Every time he has kept me out of jail. Highest recommendation from a long time client. more

My wife hired Paul and paid him $1,500 when I was arrested and charged with public intox and resisting arrest. While I was in jail (St Joe County Jail borders on inhumane treatment, by the way) waiting to go before the judge Paul dealt with my wife and spoke to her a couple of times. I went before the judge after spending about 40 hours in an entirely concrete room and my charges were quickly and summarily dismissed through no work on Paul's part. He simply handed the judge some papers and was done. Probably the easiest $1,500 someone has ever made. I then contacted Paul and asked him to help me with getting the charges expunged. He agreed to help me and sent me the paperwork. I filled out what I could but there was some info that I did not have and needed from Paul. He told me to send him the forms and he would take care of it. After about a week of waiting to hear back from him, I reached back out. No response. Another week or so went by. No response. This happened for about a month or so and I decided to stop contacting him. The paperwork was never filled out and my charges have not been dropped. Paul had made his $1,500 off me for doing nothing. One would think that for a fee like that he would include helping his clients after the charges are dismissed. He even agreed to help me and then just stopped responding. Don't use Paul's services. He's just out to get his and doesn't care about his clients. more

Paul just got me out of a jam in Elkhart County. I had a possession charge, and the word was that I could not get a diversion. Well, Paul me a diversion. All I have to do is stay out of trouble and my case will be dismissed. Thanks Paul! more

I nearly made a terrible mistake and tried to plead guilty at my first court date in Elkhart on a misdemeanor marijuana possession case. I had never been in trouble before and I only had a small amount of weed. Fortunately the magistrates don't accept guilty pleas at the first hearing. I had time to think things over and found Mr. Stanko.After the prosecutor offered probation we decided to do a straight guilty plea instead and ask for what is called a conditional discharge. That means that if I stayed out of trouble the case would be dismissed.Well long story short, that is what happened. I was able to keep my scholarship and student loans and just got my degree.Thank you Mr. Stanko! more

I had mrm Stanko represent me. I paid him $3,000 upfront. He had my felony dui reduced to misdemeanor after completition of house arrest, loss of license and several thousand in fines and expenses. He did not accompany me to my initial hearing. Most upsetting was his complete refusal to communicate or acknowledge my v attempts to contact him. I left this man over 30 voicemail that went unreturned. I emailed him and texted him daily, for months. Only when I passed as a new client would he return my call, ironically very quickly. Avoid! more

I was pulled over for drunk driving in South Bend on a football weekend and was in a panic. I live hundreds of miles away and had no idea where to turn. Fortunately I found Mr. Stanko here on Avvo and was able to meet with him that Monday. He got me into the interlock program and arranged for me to do all of my requirements close to home. I only had to fly back to South Bend for court once and my DUI case was dismissed after I finished my program. He obviously is very experienced and familiar with the court system. I could not be more pleased with his advice and his representation. more

My family is grateful for the way Mr. Stanko handled my daughter s case. She was issued a citation for underage drinking on a Saturday night in South Bend, and called me at home in tears. I got hold of Mr. Stanko by telephone the next morning (a Sunday), and he agreed to meet my daughter that Monday morning at his South Bend office. We were able to pay his fee online, which was a tremendous convenience. Mr. Stanko was able to obtain a pretrial diversion for my daughter and had the case dismissed after she finished her requirements. What could have ruined my daughter s future plans instead became a learning experience for her. Mr. Stanko is not just an excellent attorney, but a very understanding and compassionate person. I recommend him to any parent whose son or daughter gets in trouble. He will really put your mind at ease. more

Mr. Stanko was very generous with his time and helped me get out of a bogus situation. I'd say I got a tremendous value. Can't say enough nice things about Mr. Stanko. more

I've never needed a lawyer before, and I hope I never need one again, but when I had the misfortune last winter of sliding into a snow bank and getting arrested for drunk driving in South Bend (during Snowmageddon), my friend told me I should call Judge Stanko instead of just pleading guilty as I planned to do. I'm really glad I did! Since the police never saw me drive and my breath test was low, he got my DUI charge dismissed and all I got was a public intoxication. I never did any jail time and kept my license. I know there are lawyers that charge very low fees just to plead their clients guilty, but I could have done that myself. Judge Stanko's fees were very reasonable and I got wonderful service in return. I know I saved much more than his fee by keeping my license and not paying high risk insurance. I liked how he knew everything about the court and made sure I understood everything that was happening. He was very kind and friendly to me, and I could tell by the way everyone at court treated him that he is well-respected in the courts. I would tell any of my friends or family in the same situation to call him! He is just a super lawyer! more

Good: He's a former judge. Extremely confident, experienced and knowledgeable. He had answers to every question I had, and even answered questioned I had never thought of. He knows everybody in the court system.. Bad: Nothing.. Improvements: None.. Other: I was very nervous and stressed out by my situation, but he talked to me about all of my options and really guided me through the whole ordeal. He really seems to care about his clients, very friendly, down to earth. Not like what you expect from lawyers if you believe all the bad things some people say. Great lawyer but also a really nice person!. more

Mr. Stanko was my lawyer in my drunk driving case in South Bend. I was happy with the way he worked hard to get my case dropped to reckless and saved my license. I would have him be my lawyer again if I ever needed help. Very experienced and he used to be a judge, so everyone respects him in court. more