Berne Criminal Lawyers

Jessie A. Cook represents individuals accused of major felonies in state and federal courts. She graduated from IU Maurer School of Law (1979, cum laude), the National College of Criminal Defense and the Darrow College of Capital Defense. She teaches advanced trial advocacy at the Maurer School of Law- Bloomington, and for various continuing legal education programs including the Federal Defender Organization, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and ICLEF’s Trial Advocacy Skills College. Jessie is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of its Access to Justice Committee. She served on the Indiana Supreme...

Attorney Justin T. Bowen received his law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where he was named Law Student of the Year in 2004. Mr. Bowen has served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable L. Mark Bailey of the Indiana Court of Appeals, and has worked for one of the largest defense law firms in the Midwest, where he practiced toxic torts litigation and defended industrial manufacturers. Attorney Bowen adjunct teaches law courses at a state college, and serves as a guest lecturer at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. Mr. Bowen serves on...

I have been practicing trial level Criminal Defense in courts across the State of Indiana. I am commission qualified for appointment in major felonies up to and including murder. What that means is that I have documented experience in trial for major felonies.

I am an experienced criminal trial attorney, with over 26 years practicing law, including felony trials for cases such as Reckless Homicide, Leaving the Scene Resulting in Death, Drug Dealing, Fraud, Burglary, and Robbery. The first 16 years of practicing law were spent as a deputy prosecuting attorney where I concentrated on OWI cases including OWI Causing Death cases, I assisted law enforcement with search warrants for such things as blood evidence, black box data, and vehicle and home searches. In my capacity as a deputy prosecuting attorney I would routinely go to crash scenes at all hours of the day...

¡Yo hablo español! I was elected Lake County Sheriff in 2002 and I took my oath of office on January 1, 2003. I was the only elected Sheriff of Lake County with a Juris Doctorate and only one of seven nationwide. My experience in law enforcement first as an Indiana State Trooper, Public Defender, and Deputy Prosecutor prepared me well for the challenges and duties of a Sheriff. At the Indiana State Police Academy I was awarded the Donald Flint Award for being first in my class. My short stint as a steelworker at Inland Steel as an Apprentice Millwright equipped...

John M. Acosta Jr. was born and raised in Southern California. In July 1996, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a Military Police Officer for almost two years, with his remaining three years as a Military Police K-9 Officer, at various military installations and was honorably discharged. In 2001, he pursued a career in law enforcement. He spent almost twelve years with various Police and Sheriff’s Offices throughout the State of Georgia. During that time, he worked as a patrol officer and was eventually promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a U.S. Army Military Police...

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...