In Indiana, possession of any drug is a crime if you do not have a valid prescription for the substance. Possession of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, LSD, or prescription pills such as painkillers without a prescription is against the law. Penalties for drug possession in Indiana range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. The consequences will change depending on the class of the substance as well as the total amount in your possession.
Do I need an Indianapolis Drug Possession Lawyer?
If Indianapolis police have arrested you for drug possession, retain an attorney from Banks & Brower right away. Our lawyers can step in and take immediate action to protect your rights, such as representing you during police questioning or an arraignment. The sooner you have a drug possession lawyer by your side, the better the odds of reducing your charges and penalties. Drug possession is a serious offense in Indiana. Contact us at Banks & Brower at (317) 870-0019 to schedule a free consultation.
Possible Defenses for Drug Possession
One of the skilled attorneys at Banks & Brower might be able to come up with a defense strategy that’s suitable for your particular drug possession case. There are several possible defenses that might apply depending on the situation. The best thing you can do to help your case is to remain silent during police questioning. Don’t say a word until you talk to an attorney. You could say the wrong thing and hurt your chances of using a defense to plead not guilty. Potential defenses for drug possession could include:
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Unlawful search and seizure
- One of the most common drug possession defenses is to prove that the arresting officer performed an unlawful search and seizure that broke your Fourth Amendment rights. The officer must have probable cause (such as visible drugs or clear intoxication) to search your vehicle, otherwise the prosecution might not be able to use the evidence against you.
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The drugs weren’t yours
- Another common defense strategy is to plead not guilty, with the reason that the drugs weren’t yours. Our skilled attorneys might be able to place the burden of proof on the prosecution, making them prove that the drugs were in fact yours and not someone else’s, such as another passenger in the car.
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The officer is guilty of entrapment
- In some scenarios, the entrapment defense could work in your favor. If you believe a law enforcement agent coerced or pressured you into possessing drugs with the purpose of making an arrest, you could be the victim of entrapment. You need an experienced attorney for this type of defense strategy.
These are just three of several potential defense strategies that could result in reduced penalties or dropped charges. The team at Banks & Brower can examine your case and help you understand the best actions, defenses, or plea deals available in your particular situation. We’ve handled hundreds of criminal defense cases in Indianapolis, and we take a personalized strategy with each one for the best possible results.
Contact a Drug Possession Attorney at Banks & Brower
At Banks & Brower, the Indianapolis drug Crime attorneys are confident, experienced, knowledgeable, approachable, and successful. Our law firm has the greatest number of five-star Google reviews in Indianapolis with a long history of satisfied clients. When you need a criminal defense attorney who can combat prosecutors, safeguard your rights, and shoot down drug-related accusations against you, count on Banks & Brower. We can meet and exceed your expectations as our client.
We have attorneys who are former driving under the influence (DUI) prosecutors with experience on cases involving drug charges. This former prosecutor now works for our side, using his intimate knowledge of criminal law to defend alleged offenders. Our Indy defense lawyers have the knowledge and expertise you need for drug possession crime defense. Call (317) 870-0019 or submit our contact form for a free consultation.