About Kavadias & Associates PC
Kavadias & Associates PC is a criminal defense Crown Point Indiana law firm providing legal representation to individuals facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Lake County courts. Crown Point is the Lake County seat — home to the Lake County Superior Court and the Lake County Courthouse — making it the hub of all serious criminal proceedings for the county, from initial hearings through jury trials.
Operating as a professional corporation with multiple attorneys, Kavadias & Associates brings the resources of a team-based practice to criminal defense in one of Indiana’s largest and most active court systems — Lake County’s proximity to Chicago and its urban-suburban composition generate a high volume of criminal caseloads across a wide range of charge types.
Criminal Defense Practice Areas in Crown Point
Criminal cases in Lake County are prosecuted in the Lake County Superior Court in Crown Point, with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office handling all felony matters. Indiana reorganized its sentencing structure in 2014 with the criminal code reform — converting old Class A through D felonies to Level 1 through 6 Felonies under IC 35-50, with sentencing ranges that differ significantly from the prior system. Misdemeanors (Class A, B, and C) are also prosecuted in Lake County Superior Court, with Class A misdemeanors carrying up to one year in county jail.
- Felony defense (Level 1-6) in Lake County Superior Court
- DUI/OWI defense in Crown Point and Lake County
- Drug possession and trafficking charges
- Domestic violence and assault defense
What Crown Point Clients Say
Defendants facing charges in Lake County Superior Court benefit from having local criminal defense counsel who knows how the Crown Point courthouse operates — including the Lake County Prosecutor’s charging tendencies, the scheduling practices of the individual Superior Court divisions, and which cases realistically resolve through plea negotiation versus those likely to proceed to trial. Kavadias & Associates’ team structure means that when a case demands more resources — a complex drug conspiracy or a Level 1 felony facing decades of exposure — multiple attorneys can collaborate on the defense strategy.
Serving: Crown Point and Lake County
Practice Focus: Felony defense, Misdemeanor defense, DUI/OWI, Drug charges
Local Courts: Lake County Superior Court (Crown Point)
Key Stat: Indiana’s 2014 criminal code reform converted Class A–D felonies to Levels 1–6, with Level 6 felonies now potentially reducible to Class A misdemeanors upon successful completion of probation under IC 35-50-2-7(b).
Key Resource: Lake County Indiana Courts — lakecountyin.org
Related Guide: Criminal Defense Attorneys in Indiana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sentencing range for a Level 6 felony in Lake County, Indiana?
Under IC 35-50-2-7, a Level 6 felony in Indiana carries an advisory sentence of one year with a range of six months to two and a half years in the Department of Correction. However, Indiana allows courts to convert a Level 6 felony to a Class A misdemeanor upon successful completion of probation — a significant outcome for defendants who want to avoid a felony record. In Lake County Superior Court, whether that reduction is offered depends on the specific charge, the defendant’s criminal history, and the prosecutor’s position in plea negotiations.
How does Indiana define OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) and what are the consequences in Crown Point?
Indiana’s OWI statute (IC 9-30-5) criminalizes operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher (0.15% for enhanced penalty), while intoxicated, or with a controlled substance or its metabolite in the blood. A first OWI with a BAC under 0.15% is a Class C misdemeanor carrying up to 60 days in jail; a BAC at or above 0.15% or with a prior conviction within 7 years elevates it to a Class A misdemeanor or felony. Lake County courts impose mandatory license suspension, and an OWI conviction can affect employment in industries where CDL or professional licenses are required.
What happens at an initial hearing in Lake County Superior Court after an arrest in Crown Point?
After an arrest in Lake County, a defendant is typically brought before a Lake County Superior Court judge within 48 hours (or the next business day) for an initial hearing. At this proceeding, the judge advises the defendant of the charges, sets bail conditions, and may appoint counsel if the defendant cannot afford one. Defendants with retained counsel — such as those working with Kavadias & Associates — can have their attorney present at the initial hearing to argue for reasonable bail conditions and begin gathering information about the prosecutor’s evidence. This early stage sets the tone for the entire defense strategy.
