Jonathan Harwell
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana
Harwell Criminal Defense
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Appellate, DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in Indiana since: 2014
Education: Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2021 - 2027 Call today:
317-344-9085
Virtual Appointments Harwell Criminal Defense
156 E Market StSuite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204 Visit website
Jonathan’s practice includes criminal defense, direct appeals, post-conviction relief, federal litigation, murder and other major-felony cases, and matters involving the death penalty. His approach combines careful record review, focused investigation, motion practice, trial preparation, and candid advice about both immediate and long-term consequences.
Jonathan is a certified mediator and a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College Trial Practice Institute. He is the author of Indiana Criminal Law Templates, published by LexisNexis in annual editions from 2023 through 2026.
He has taught continuing legal education and presented on civility in practice, Brown v. Board of Education, the Magna Carta, and the constitutional history surrounding “the switch in time that saved nine."
Professional service has included the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Board of Directors, the Indianapolis Bar Foundation Executive Committee, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association Amicus Committee, the Indiana State Bar Association Leadership Development Academy, and Indianapolis Bar Association pro bono, practice-skills, professionalism, and law-practice-management initiatives.
Jonathan’s pro bono and community work has included the American Bar Association Death Penalty Representation Project, Kids’ Voice of Indiana, the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, IndyBar Ask a Lawyer, and Legal Line.
Jonathan earned his J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award and Gold Level Pro Bono Recognition. He earned his B.S. in Legal Studies, cum laude, from Ball State University and was a member of the Lambda Epsilon Chi legal-studies honor society.
Admitted in Indiana; U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Jonathan was selected to the Indiana Rising Stars list from 2021 through 2026. His public professional profiles also report an AV Preeminent peer-review rating, Avvo Client’s Choice and Top Contributor recognition, and Top 10 Criminal Defense and DUI Defense recognition from Attorney and Practice Magazine.
Independent ratings, directory information, and honors can change. The links below lead to the source profiles for current details.matters
Jonathan’s public profiles report acquittals in murder, child-molesting, aggravated-battery, domestic-battery, and resisting-law-enforcement cases, as well as a reversed conviction and post-conviction matters in which relief or a new trial was granted.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Appellate, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWIFocus areas
Appeals, Criminal Law
- 50% Criminal Defense
- 40% Appellate
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
First Admitted: 2014, Indiana
Professional Webpage: https://www.harwelllegalcounsel.com/attorney/harwell-jonatha...
Bar / Professional Activity
- IndyBar Pro Bono Committee, 2022
- National Association of Criminal Defense Board of Directors, 2026
- Indianapolis Bar Foundation Executive Committee, 2026
- Indiana State Bar Association - Leadership Development Academy, 2025
- Amicus Committee - Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, 2025
- IndyBar Pro Bono Committee, 2024
- IndyBar Practice Skills Workgroup, 2024
- IndyBar Practice Skills Workgroup, 2023
- IndyBar Pro Bono Committee, 2023
- IndyBar Pro Bono Committee, 2021
- IndyBar Law Practice Management Committee, 2021
- IndyBar Professionalism Committee, 2016
- IndyBar Professionalism Committee, 2015
- Indiana State Bar Association Professionalism Committee, 2015
- IndyBar Professionalism Committee, 2014
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- State v. J.P. - Not Guilty of Murder, Guilty of Lesser included offense, 2022
- State v. N.H.R. - Charges Dismissed - Level 1 Felony, 2026
- State v. N.H.R. - Child Molesting Charges Dismissed, 2026
- State v. P.C. - Child Molesting Allegation Dismissed, 2026
- B.H. v. State - Petition for Post-Conviction Relief Granted in part and new trial ordered. , 2025
- C.B. v. State of Indiana - Post-Conviction Relief Granted, 2025
- R.W. v. State - Appeal - Conviction Reversed, 2020
- Smith v. Smith - Appeal - Decree Overturned, 2020
- State v. M.E. - Not Guilty, 2019
- State v. H.P. - Not Guilty, 2019
- R. v. State - Appeal Remanded for New Sentencing Order, 2018
- State v. B. - Not Guilty, 2016
- State v. D.T. - Not Guilty, 2016
- State v. A.M. - Not Guilty, 2016
- State v. C. - Not Guilty, 2016
- State v. N. - Not Guilty, 2015
Pro bono / Community Service
- ABA Death Penalty Representation Project
- Kid's Voice
- IndyBar Ask a Lawyer and Legal Line
- Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
Educational Background
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2010-2013
- Ball State University, 2007-2010
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Publication of criminal law forms and explanations for legal professionals. , Author, Indiana Criminal Law Templates, Lexis Nexis, Legal, 2023
- Publication of criminal law forms and explanations for legal professionals. , Author, Indiana Criminal Law Templates, WestLaw, Legal, 2026
- Publication of criminal law forms and explanations for legal professionals. , Author, Indiana Criminal Law Templates, Lexis Nexis, Legal, 2025
- Publication of legal templates and instructional materials for legal professionals, Author, Indiana Criminal Law Templates, Lexis Nexis, 2024
Honors
- Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2024
- Rising Stars, SuperLawyers, 2026
- Rising Stars, SuperLawyers, 2025
- Rising Stars, Super Lawers, 2023
- Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2021
- Top 10 DUI Defense, Attorney and Practice Magazine's, 2023
- Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2023
- Gold Level Pro Bono Recognition, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2013
- Excellence for the Future Aware, CALI, 2014
Awards
Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com
Avvo Top Contributor: This award is granted to attorneys who have significantly contributed to Avvo.com by answering questions in the Q&A forum, publishing legal guides, or other meaningful contributions to the Avvo community.
AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Jonathan is good at working with even the most difficult clients. He is a kind, reasonable, and responsive opposing counsel. He is a persevering problems solver who will find a way to unwind the knottiest problems.”
“Jonathan has built his practice from the ground up, and has never been afraid to fight hard for his clients, no matter the situation or type of case.”
Office location for Jonathan Harwell
156 E Market St
Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-344-9085
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2021 - 2027
Additional sources of information about Jonathan Harwell
"Ask a Lawyer" answers provided by Jonathan Harwell
- Q: Can a person win a post-conviction case based on a traffic stop that should have been completed or suppressed?
A: You may seek a post-conviction relief petition on that basis, but whether it will be succesfful depends on a number of factors with the most … - Q: Can a person legally be picked up and taken to county jail before the court has processed a warrant for the officer?
A: Yes, as long as the officer has probable cause for the arrest.
