Drug Possession And Criminal Charges In Northwest Indiana

A drug possession charge is something that you must take very seriously in Merrillville, Indiana. It can have a major impact on your life moving forward, so it may be wise to meet with a drug possession lawyer. You need to understand the specific charges that you’re facing and the defense options at your disposal.

At The Region Lawyers, under founding attorney Russell W. Brown Jr., our team is experienced and dedicated to defending our clients. We carefully analyze all of the evidence and factors from the case while helping to settle on a defense strategy. We have over a decade of valuable experience and we offer free initial consultations.

Potential Penalties For Drug Possession Charges

The potential penalties for drug charges – fines, jail time, etc – depend on numerous factors. For instance, drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and even prescription medications can be sorted into various schedules under Indiana law. The penalties for some drugs can be much more severe than for others. The main schedules are as follows:

• Schedule I: These are drugs without an approved medical use in Indiana, such as heroin, LSD or marijuana.
• Schedule II: These drugs are restricted but allowed for some medical uses, such as hydrocodone or oxycodone.
• Schedule III: The potential for abuse is considered lower with these drugs, including ketamine or anabolic steroids.
• Schedule IV: These include common substances like Xanax or tramadol.
• Schedule V: These are the least serious drugs, including things like Robitussin and codeine.

It’s also important to note that you can face charges for possession of drug paraphernalia, such as rolling papers, pipes or bongs.

Defenses For Drug Possession

You have a few different potential defense options, starting with the allegation that the police carried out an illegal search and seizure, which could invalidate their evidence. You may also claim that you had a lack of knowledge that the drugs were even there, so there was no intent, such as if someone else left drugs in your car. In some cases, you may be able to claim entrapment. This is when police officers influence you to commit a crime just so that they can arrest you for it.

Call For A Consultation

The above are just a few examples, as every defense has to be catered to the specific case. Our experienced team will help you do so – just use the online contact form or call us at 219-961-3814 now to set up your free consultation.