Evansville Attorneys Providing Strategic Defense Against Drug Crimes Charges
Being charged with a drug crime can lead to serious penalties, but a single mistake does not have to change your life forever. Having an experienced attorney on your side can make the difference between serving time in prison and receiving probation, a fine or a deferred sentence, or even having the charges dismissed completely.
At Bob Zoss Law Office, LLC, we offer strong criminal defense representation to clients accused of drug-related offenses throughout Evansville and the rest of Southern Indiana. We provide the strongest possible defense in order to get your case dismissed or reduce the penalties you face. Our attorneys are committed to helping you avoid the impact of a drug conviction and get a second chance.
Indiana Legend Drug Crimes
Legend drugs, also known as prescription drugs, are medications that federal law requires to be dispensed only with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. In Indiana, crimes involving legend drugs are treated distinctly from other controlled substance offenses and can carry serious penalties.
Under Indiana law, legend drug deception is classified as a Level 6 felony. This charge can arise from various activities, including:
- Possessing prescription medications without a valid prescription, including having medications prescribed to another person or keeping expired prescriptions.
- Selling or delivering prescription drugs to others, which can include sharing medications with family members or friends even without payment.
- Creating counterfeit prescription labels or misrepresenting information on prescription labels, including altering quantities or refill dates on legitimate prescriptions.
- Manufacturing or bringing contraband legend drugs into Indiana from other states or countries, including ordering prescription medications online without proper authorization.
The prosecution of legend drug cases often involves complex legal issues around prescription validity, proper documentation and chain of custody. Our attorneys work diligently to protect your rights, whether you are facing charges related to personal use or alleged distribution.
Is Drug Court An Option In Indiana?
Yes, Indiana offers a specialized Drug Court program, officially known as the Problem-Solving Court. This alternative to traditional criminal prosecution provides eligible defendants with an opportunity for rehabilitation rather than incarceration. The Problem-Solving Court program is available to certain defendants facing drug-related charges who:
- Are charged with non-violent offenses.
- Have no history of violent crimes.
- Show a willingness to participate in treatment.
- Demonstrate a genuine desire to overcome substance abuse issues.
Participants in Drug Court undergo intensive supervision, regular drug testing and mandatory substance abuse treatment. The program typically lasts 18-24 months and includes:
- Regular court appearances before a designated judge.
- Individual and group counseling sessions.
- Random drug screenings.
- Employment or education requirements.
- Community service.
Successfully completing Drug Court can lead to reduced charges or case dismissal, offering a path to avoid the lasting consequences of a drug conviction. Our attorneys can evaluate your eligibility for Drug Court and advocate for your acceptance into the program if it aligns with your goals.
Experienced In Contesting A Wide Range Of Drug Charges
The charges and penalties associated with a drug charge depend on the action that you are accused of taking, as well as the type and amount of drugs involved. We can defend you against a wide range of charges, including:
- Possession: holding drugs, without necessarily using or selling them
- Dealing: selling or delivering illegal drugs
- Paraphernalia: possessing items such as needles, rolling papers and water pipes that may be related to drug use
- Distribution/trafficking: transporting, smuggling or selling large amounts of drugs
- Production: the cultivation or manufacture of illegal drugs
No matter what charge you are facing, our skilled and experienced attorneys will defend you strongly in court and ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
What Is Drug Scheduling And How Does It Impact Drug Charges?
Drug scheduling is the way the law categorizes drugs in terms of legal severity. The schedules broadly defined by the US Drug Enforcement Administration include:
- Schedule I: Drugs without any “accepted” medical use but have a high potential for abuse, including marijuana heroin, LSD and ecstasy
- Schedule II: Drugs with high potential for abuse and serious risk of chemical or psychological dependence, including cocaine, methamphetamine, Vicodin, and OxyContin.
- Schedule III: Drugs without moderate potential for addiction, including steroids and ketamine.
- Schedule IV: Drugs with low potential for abuse and dependence and includes Xanax, Valium, Ativan and Ambien.
- Schedule V: Drugs with even lower potential for abuse and include limited amounts of narcotics. Typically reserved for antidiarrheal or low-level pain relief.
These are all controlled substances, and the schedule of drugs can vastly impact the severity of the charge.
What Makes A Drug Charge A Misdemeanor Versus A Felony?
A drug charge can fall into a misdemeanor or a felony based on many of the circumstances involved. Generally speaking, those circumstances include:
- Type of drug: Drug scheduling plays a crucial factor here.
- Amount of drug: There is a threshold for most narcotics where possession moves to trafficking.
- Intention: Regardless of what and how much someone has on them, if caught in a sale that is a different charge.
However, despite the circumstances of the charges you may face, you have rights and you deserve to have those rights defended.
Get The Representation You Deserve – Contact Us Today
We have helped many people to avoid the serious penalties that can come from a drug conviction. Call our office in Evansville, Indiana, today at 812-266-9609 to arrange a consultation and speak to a lawyer about your case.