The Consequences of Conviction for a Heroin Offense in Indiana

Posted on January 20, 2023 by admin

Heroin usage and abuse is a serious problem in Indiana, with the state ranking among the top 10 states for heroin-related deaths. For those who are arrested for drug charges related to heroin, it’s important to understand the consequences of conviction. In this blog post, we will explore what happens if you’re convicted of a heroin offense in Indiana. We will discuss the potential penalties and how they can affect your life moving forward. Lastly, we’ll talk about ways that you can fight back against these charges and protect yourself from harsh punishments.

Call 317-636-7514 to Speak With a Heroin Drug Charge Lawyer in Indianapolis.

Possession of Heroin Charges in Indiana

If you’re found guilty of a heroin-related offense in Indiana, the consequences can be severe. As a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of heroin under 5 grams is a Level 6 felony in Indiana, which carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment and/or fines ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. If someone has more than 10 grams of heroin, it is considered a Level 4 felony, which carries even harsher penalties, including up to 12 years in prison and/or fines up to $10,000.

Consequences of Dealing Heroin

In Indiana, heroin charges can be exceptionally serious, with the consequences for dealing heroin and heroin trafficking easily reaching levels such as long-term prison sentences or hefty fines. Drug dealers caught intent on trafficking heroin can expect to face stiff sentences, ranging anywhere from 2 to 30 years in prison.

Dealing just 1 gram of heroin or less is considered a Level 4 felony, which renders a minimum 2 year prison sentence, with a maximum sentence of 6 years, plus up to $10,000 in fines. If you are caught dealing between 5 and 10 grams, you are looking at a maximum of 16 years in prison, with a minimum of 3 years. If you are arrested for dealing over 10 grams of heroin, you are facing up to 30 years in prison with a minimum of 10 years.

Drug Charge Enhancements

Enhancements to drug charges are punishments not prescribed in the underlying statutes but instead arise from various circumstances surrounding a particular activity. Sobriety status, weapons involvement, living children under 10 years old, moral turpitude—these may all weigh into whether or not an enhancement is imposed onto a charge. Enhancing one’s penalties could potentially double their exposure time in prison correlated to their original crime. Knowing early on potential enhancements that could possibly occur later down the line could be the difference between significant freedom and long confinement in the US Prison System.

Enhancements Include, but Not Limited to:

Drug Manufacturing
Priors for Dealing
Possession of Firearm
In Drug-Free Zones
Presence of Children
On School Grounds or Within 500 Feet
Dealing to a Minor
On or Within 500 Feet of a Park or School Bus
Dealing to Someone 3 Years One’s Junior

Additional Penalties for Heroin Crimes

In addition to the possible jail time and hefty fines associated with heroin-related charges, you may also face license suspension or revocation, probation, and drug treatment programs. Even if you’re only found guilty of a minor heroin offense, like possession of drug paraphernalia, you could still face license suspension and fines. Some heroin users themselves often either end up incarcerated or deal potentially deadly harm to their health.

It is important to understand that the consequences of a conviction can extend beyond just legal penalties. A criminal record related to drug charges can make it difficult to find employment or housing in the future. The social stigma of a heroin offense can have long-lasting effects. In short: heroin is no joke, and Indiana takes its stance against illegal drug dealing of any type quite seriously.

Seek Legal Help from an Indiana Drug Defense Lawyer

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to simply accept the consequences of a drug charge in Indiana. An experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney can help fight your drug charges and protect you from harsh punishments. Your attorney may be able to negotiate a plea deal with reduced penalties, challenge the evidence against you, or even get your charges dropped altogether. If you’ve been charged with a heroin offense in Indiana, don’t wait to take action. Speak with an experienced Indiana criminal attorney as soon as possible to build a strong defense and protect yourself from the maximum penalties. With the right legal help, you may be able to avoid jail time and fines, plus protect yourself from a damaging criminal record. Seeking help early is the best way to ensure your rights are protected.

Act Now to Protect Your Freedoms

In summary, if you’ve been charged with a heroin offense in Indiana, it’s important to understand the potential consequences of conviction. Penalties can include hefty fines, jail time, license suspension or revocation, and probation. There could also be long-term social ramifications of a heroin conviction. However, a certified drug crime attorney can help fight your charges and protect you from harsh punishments. Don’t wait to take action – seek help early for the best chances of protecting your rights. By taking proactive steps and working with a reputable attorney, you may be able to avoid the worst of the consequences of a heroin conviction.

Stay informed and stay safe! If you or someone you know has been charged with a heroin offense in Indiana, get started with your defense now. Your future is worth protecting. Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a meeting with an experienced drug crime lawyer who can get you the best possible outcome for your heroin charges. We can hold meetings over the phone or in person at our Indy-based office.

How a Pretrial Diversion Program May Reduce Your Sentence

Posted on March 15, 2022 by admin

If you have recently been arrested in Indiana on drug-related criminal charges, whether on a state or federal level, you can bet on one thing: the penalties will be harsh. Indiana has zero tolerance for drug crimes, so if you are facing drug charges right now, you can expect to be sentenced to jail time, fines, community service, random drug screening, probation, and more. You might even be court ordered to attend a drug rehabilitation clinic or substance abuse program.

However, you may be able to reduce your drug crime. Criminal sentence by doing a pretrial diversion program. Continue reading to learn more about pretrial diversion programs, including how to determine your eligibility in Indiana.

Pretrial Release Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-636-7514

Pretrial Diversion Programs in Indiana

What is a pretrial diversion program? Well, it is an effective and beneficial alternative to the harsher criminal penalties that are traditionally handed down for drug crimes in Indiana. Although pretrial diversion programs may be offered to all sorts of defendants facing a wide range of criminal charges, they are particularly helpful for those facing drug charges in Indiana.

Someone facing drug charges is likely somebody wrapped up in the illicit drug world, whether as a recreational user, abuser, addict, or trafficker. People in these situations are not in a place, neither financially or, mentally, to take on legal obligations like heavy fines and jail time.

The state recognizes this problem by offering legal alternatives to such penalties. In cases that qualify, a pretrial diversion program can be offered to a drug charge defendant as an alternative to going to jail and paying thousands of dollars in fines. In return, the defendant must comply and complete the program with flying colors.

How a Pretrial Diversion Program Works

A defendant (and their lawyer) works with the state prosecutor to come up with an alternative plan of punishment for committing a drug crime in Indiana, known as a pretrial diversion program. In most cases of pretrial diversion programs, some form of rehabilitation or treatment is included as part of the agreement. Additional elements of a pretrial diversion program will vary from case to case, but most include:

▢ Routine Probation Officer Meetings
▢ Random Drug/Alcohol Testing
▢ House Arrest/GPS Ankle Monitoring
▢ Mandatory Curfew
▢ Court-Ordered Therapy

Although every pretrial diversion program is different depending on the defendant and the unique circumstances of the criminal charges, most will come to an end between one and three years. It is important to have a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer in Indianapolis on your side when fighting for your chance at entering into a pretrial diversion program after being charged with a drug crime in Indiana.

Looking for a criminal defense lawyer to fight your drug charges in Indiana right now? Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 for aggressive and experienced criminal defense for drug crimes in Indianapolis, Indiana. We can hold meetings over the phone, via online conferencing, or in person at her Indianapolis office.

Criminal Attorney David E Lewis Indianapolis Indiana 317-636-7514

What to Do About Your Meth Amphetamine Charges in Indianapolis

Posted on February 19, 2021 by admin

Hire Attorney David E. Lewis for Aggressive Drug Charge Defense in Indianapolis

If you’ve just been arrested on crystal meth charges, a licensed criminal defense attorney is your only hope at avoiding the maximum penalties for your meth charges. Fortunately, Attorney David E. Lewis is here to help all Hoosiers facing drug crimes. Continue below to learn how the Law Office of David E. Lewis can fight your meth charges in Indianapolis, and get you the freedom and security you desire.

We Will Fight Your Meth Charges So You Can Get Your Life Back on Track.

Why You Need an Indianapolis Drug Defense Lawyer for Meth Charges

If you were recently charged with possession or attempting to distribute meth, it is vital to hire a seasoned criminal defense lawyer with the skills to build you an impactful defense for the sole purpose of reducing or dismissing your charges, or entering into an alternative sentencing agreement. David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, is your solution to avoiding the maximum penalties for drug charges. Regardless of where your meth amphetamine charges originate from, he can take on your case anywhere in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. He will work around the clock to ensure your rights are protected and your freedoms are preserved.

We Can Help You Recover After a Meth Arrest in Indiana

Here at the Law Office of David E. Lewis, we are fervently dedicated to delivering personalized case assistance and legal defense in an environment entirely free of judgement. David E. Lewis is in this profession to help clients get their lives back on track after being charged with a misdemeanor or felony drug crime. Meth amphetamine is a serious drug that can render infinite and permanent life consequences, which is why he is also here to provide clients with resources for addiction counseling and management.

Request Your Free Meeting Over the Phone or In-Person at Our Indianapolis Law Office

Contact our Indianapolis criminal defense law office at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with aggressive Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer. Attorney David E. Lewis will stop at nothing to ensure you are not sentenced to the maximum penalties when facing any level or number of drug crimes and criminal charges, including meth. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust our law firm to build you a strong and impactful defense against your Indiana criminal charges.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514 — Schedule a Free Consultation Today!

Can I Get Arrested For My Friend’s Drugs?

Posted on August 7, 2020 by admin

Let’s say you were at your friend’s apartment, and the cops are called. If your friend has drugs there, do you think you would get in trouble for them too? Well, it could happen. The crime is known as being in a “place of common nuisance”, and you can be arrested for it just for being near someone who has possession of drugs or narcotics.

Continue reading to learn more about what it means to be in a place of common nuisance, and what you need to do if you are ever faced with the criminal charge in Indiana.

Indianapolis Drug Possession Lawyer 317-636-7514

A Place of Common Nuisance

A place of common nuisance is any private property where illegal activity is taking place. This can be a house, boat, vehicle, apartment, hotel room, or any other private residence. The most frequent crimes that occur in a place of common nuisance include the consumption and selling of illegal substances and paraphernalia. This includes street drugs, stolen merchandise, firearms, and medication.

Visiting a Common Nuisance

Anyone person that knowingly visits a place of common nuisance is committing a crime, and if caught, can be charged with “visiting a common nuisance.” Here’s an example of a situation where a person can be arrested and charged with this crime, without actually taking part in the illegal activity:

Rachel is on vacation in New York City with her best friend, Ann. While out on the town celebrating, they meet a group of guys who invite them back to their place for a drink. When the girls walk into the apartment, they immediately notice some guns on the counter, and some drugs laying out on the table. They decide to stay and have a few drinks, even though they do not like guns or use drugs. After a few drinks, the guys start smoking marijuana and the cops get called. Even though Rachel and Ann did not partake in the marijuana usage, and do not own the guns, they can be arrested and charged for visiting a common nuisance.

Maintaining a Common Nuisance

If a person allows someone, or a group of people, to use drugs or partake in illegal activity in their own home or vehicle, they can be charged with “maintaining a common nuisance.” For instance, if a girl lets her friend shoot up heroin in her apartment, she could be arrested and charged with this crime. The same applies to parents who allow their children to drink underage or use drugs in their home.

Get a Plan in Action for Unbeatable Criminal Defense for Drug Crimes in Indiana

Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a consultation with aggressive criminal defense attorney, David E. Lewis regarding your drug possession charges in Indianapolis, Indiana. He will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms after being charged with possession or place of common nuisance. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges.

INDIANAPOLIS CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

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