If you are searching to find the perfect Indianapolis criminal defense attorney to help you fight back against drug offenses doesn’t have to be long or difficult. Just give the Suhre & Associates, LLC legal team in Indianapolis a contact at (317) 759-2599 to schedule an initial consultation at no cost to you.
Being arrested on drug charges can be a terrifying experience. From the initial arrest to the interview with law enforcement officials, every moment is more frightening than the last.
If you would like to ensure that your time in police custody is as brief as possible, you would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Doing so can also minimize your chances of having to spend any time in one of Indiana’s state prisons.
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Why You Should Hire a Suhre & Associates, LLC Criminal Defense Lawyer
Enlisting the help of one of our Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys is one of the smartest moves you can make after you have been charged with drug offenses. Here’s why:
We Understand the Legal System
The Indiana judicial system is confusing from top to bottom.
Since neither the arresting law enforcement officers nor the prosecuting attorneys are legally required to walk you through it, you should hire a defense lawyer to provide you with the guidance you need.
The defense attorneys here at Suhre & Associates, LLC have been practicing criminal law for years. As such, we are intimately familiar with every aspect of the Indiana legal system. We can explain every phase of the process to you in detail so you always know what is coming next.
We Know How to Negotiate with Prosecuting Attorneys
Shortly after you are placed under arrest and charged, you will likely be offered a plea bargain by the prosecuting attorney. Unfortunately, their initial offers are often quite harsh. To make it a little more lenient, some negotiation is usually required.
Our knowledgeable Indianapolis criminal defense lawyers have negotiated with countless prosecutors over the years. Quite often, we can use this experience to help lead the prosecutor in charge of your criminal case to a more reasonable offer.
We Can Formulate Effective Defense Strategies
Successfully fighting back against your drug charges doesn’t happen by accident. In reality, if you wish to minimize your punishment or have your charges dropped entirely, an effective defense strategy is needed.
Having worked on numerous drug cases in the past, the defense lawyers here at Suhre & Associates, LLC know exactly how to put together an effective defense strategy. When you hire us to represent you, we will analyze your case in detail and present you with what we believe to be your best course of action.
We Can Protect Your Constitutional Rights
While arresting, searching, and processing you, law enforcement officials and prosecuting attorneys must respect your constitutional rights. If they violate your rights, it may be possible to have evidence thrown out or even have your case dismissed entirely.
When you have one of our skilled lawyers by your side, we make sure that your rights are upheld throughout your processing and interview. We can also review your arrest report to make sure your rights were not infringed upon at that time. If we spot any violations, we will take appropriate action immediately.
The Indianapolis drug crime lawyers of Suhre & Associates, LLC are always ready and able to help you fight back against your criminal charges. Give us a call today to schedule a free initial consultation and take the first steps toward building a solid attorney-client relationship.
Types of Drug Crimes in Marion County
There are a wide variety of drug crimes that you may be charged with under the Indiana Code. Some of the most common include:
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a controlled substance is the most commonly charged drug crime in Indiana. You may be charged with this offense if you are found to be in illegal possession of a substance that is restricted by the state. Marijuana, heroin, cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy are just a few examples of substances that could lead to your arrest.
Possession with Intent to Distribute
If you are found to be carrying a large quantity of a controlled substance, law enforcement officers may conclude that you intended to sell it. If so, they will charge you with possession with intent to distribute. This offense almost always carries a higher penalty than a simple drug possession charge.
Drug Manufacturing
Under the Indiana Code, you may be charged with drug manufacturing if you are found to have been involved in the production of controlled substances. Planting marijuana seeds and cooking methamphetamines are both examples of activities that are illegal under this law.
You do not need to physically manufacture the drugs yourself to be charged with this offense. Merely financing or otherwise enabling someone else to produce a controlled substance is also criminalized.
Drug Delivery
If you are found to be selling or trafficking a controlled substance, you may be charged with drug delivery. Like manufacturing, you do not need to physically carry out the sale to be charged with this crime. Financing the delivery is enough to land you in trouble.
If you have been charged with any of these drug crimes, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Indianapolis law firm. Our experienced attorneys are ready, willing, and able to help you fight back against your charges.
Indiana Drug Schedules
The state of Indiana classifies controlled substances into five different schedules. The types of criminalized drugs contained in each schedule include:
Schedule I
- Heroin
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Ecstasy
Schedule II
- Vicodin
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Oxycodone
Schedule III
- Suboxone
- Ketamine
- Codeine
- Testosterone
Schedule IV
- Xanax
- Tramadol
- Ambien
- Valium
Schedule V
- Motofen
- Lyrica
- Lomotil
- Parepectolin
If you have been charged with the possession, manufacturing, or distribution of a drug on this list, please reach out to us for immediate legal assistance. We will use our experience and knowledge of the law to help you launch a vigorous defense.
Punishments for Drug Crimes in Indianapolis
Drug crimes in Indianapolis can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Penalties for drug crimes in the state of Indiana depend on several factors, including:
- The type of drug involved
- The quantity of the drug involved
- Your past criminal history
- The location of the crime, and
- Whether or not a weapon was involved in the crime.
Generally speaking, crimes that involve large quantities of Schedule I or II substances and involve aggravating factors like the presence of a firearm or taking place near a school will face the most severe penalties. The punishments for being found with a small amount of a Schedule IV or V drug are almost always more lenient.
When you hire an attorney from our Indianapolis law office, we will review the specifics of your case and let you know the punishments that you are likely to face. Give us a call today to schedule your initial consultation.
Potential Defenses Against Your Indianapolis Drug Charges
While defending you against your drug charges, our skilled attorneys are likely to use one or more of the following arguments:
Fourth Amendment Violations
In order to search your person or your property, law enforcement officials must have probable cause, your permission, or a warrant. If the search was conducted under any other circumstances, we may argue that your Fourth Amendment rights were violated. If our argument is successful, any evidence discovered during the search will be thrown out – and your case is likely to be dismissed soon after.
Entrapment
Depending on the specific nature of your charges, we may be able to argue that you were coerced into committing the crime by the arresting officer. Once the argument has been made, the court will rule on whether an average law-abiding individual would have committed the crime under the same circumstances. If the ruling falls in your favor, your charges will most likely be dismissed immediately.
Not an Illegal Substance
Law enforcement officers often make drug arrests based on visual evidence alone. If, for instance, you are found to be carrying a plastic bag of white powder, the officer may assume that it is cocaine and place you under arrest.
However, if you tell your defense attorney that the substance is actually sugar or flour, we can request that it be sent to a crime lab for analysis. When the results come back clean, your charges will be thrown out straight away.
No Proof of Possession
When a police officer finds drugs on your person or your property, they will almost certainly arrest you. Though this may seem like a slam dunk case for the prosecution, there is still one defense that your lawyer may be able to use – claiming that you did not know about the existence of the drugs.
While making this claim will not get your charges dropped immediately, it does place the burden of proof on the prosecution. If they are unable to prove that the drugs belong to you, their case will quickly begin to fall apart.
Your Indianapolis Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys
The experienced lawyers here at Suhre & Associates, LLC have been helping the people of Indianapolis defend themselves against criminal charges for years. If you need us, we will be there for you, too. All you need to do is give us a call or visit our law office to get an initial consultation.
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Suhre & Associates, LLC
101 W Ohio St #2000
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 759-2599
