If you’re an Indiana resident who has been arrested on drug charges, it is extremely important that you find an experienced drug possession lawyer as soon as possible. A conviction in your case could devastate you, your family, and your future.
Criminal defense lawyer Mark Worthley provides expert legal representation for clients facing drug charges in Valparaiso, Indiana, and surrounding areas.
At Worthley Law, we want you to know some things about us. We are straight-talkers. We are honest and will not lie to you. Indiana has some of the toughest drug laws in the United States. However, our founding fathers built our nation with the belief that a person is innocent until proven guilty, and we stand behind that wholeheartedly as we fight your case.
We also don’t judge our clients on their past mistakes. If we represent you, we will be here to help you in partnership at every step of the way.
Our job will be to defend you with all of our skills and resources until we achieve the best possible outcome for your future. Your best interest will be fought for in the courtroom.
Don’t wait for your next court date, instead, call Worthley Law today at (219) 575 8565 to schedule a free initial consultation.
If you’re suffering from substance abuse or addiction, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357). It’s never too late to get help and change your life for the better, starting now.
You can expect many variables to affect the sentence and overall outcome of your Indiana drug crime case. Because of those variables, you need to retain an Indiana drug possession defense attorney immediately. If you hire Worthley Law, here are some ways we may be able to help you as we take action on your behalf.
Some cases may be eligible for a plea bargain and reduced sentence. Our founder, Mark Worthley, is a former Deputy Prosecutor, a skilled negotiator, and a criminal defense lawyer with experience handling plea bargains.
A case dismissal or diversionary program are two favorable outcomes for a drug case. If you don’t have prior drug convictions and suffer from addiction issues, you may qualify for a treatment program instead of a jail sentence.
We’ll evaluate your case to determine if you can avoid serving any additional days in jail. You can expect our legal team to scrutinize your arrest, looking for any evidence we can use in your favor to prevent further incarceration.
In some instances, the court will exclude some or all the evidence if it was obtained by the police under unlawful circumstances. Our legal team is highly knowledgeable about Indiana’s drug laws, and we’ll use this expertise to explore every possible avenue regarding your case.
- Potential denial for rental housing
- Loss of your current job
- Limited future employment opportunities
- Temporary or permanent driver’s license suspension
- Familial issues, such as losing custody of your children
- Paying thousands of dollars in fines
- A sullied reputation within your community
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Schedule I: Schedule I substances have a very high potential for abuse and no accepted medical purpose. Examples include heroin, peyote, marijuana, mushrooms, LSD, and ecstasy.
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Schedule II: These substances have a high potential for abuse and limited medical purposes. Examples include Fentanyl, Demerol, OxyContin, Adderall, cocaine, opium, methamphetamines, methadone, morphine, Dilaudid, and hydrocodone.
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Schedule III: Schedule III substances have currently accepted medical uses and a milder potential for abuse than Schedule I and II drugs. Examples include products with less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage, like Tylenol with codeine, and other drugs like testosterone, ketamine, and anabolic steroids.
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Schedule IV: These substances have currently accepted medical uses and a low potential for abuse compared to Schedules I, II, and III. Examples include Tramadol, Xanax, Soma, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Ambien.
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Schedule V: Schedule V substances have frequent medical uses and low abuse potential. Examples include cough medicines with less than 200 mg of codeine, such as Lyrica, Robitussin AC, Lomotil, and Motofen.
- Schedule I and II Drugs: Schedule I and II drug possession penalties vary based on case circumstances, including the type and amount of drugs and where you had them in your possession (i.e., near a school or youth center). However, you’ll face at least a Level Six felony.
- Schedule III, IV, and V Drugs: Penalties depend on your case, criminal history, and how much of the substance was in your possession. However, you could face a misdemeanor charge or worse.
- Marijuana: People with less than 30 grams and no prior drug convictions face a Class B misdemeanor, fines up to $1,000, and up to 180 days in jail. If you have prior drug convictions, the charge increases to a Class A misdemeanor, fines up to $5,000, and up to one year in jail. If you have over thirty grams in your possession and a prior drug conviction, the penalties are even harsher: a Level Six felony charge, fines up to $10,000, and over two years in jail.
- Drug Paraphernalia: Possession of drug paraphernalia (like a pipe) has penalties of up to $500 in fines and 60 days in jail. If you have a prior paraphernalia conviction, the charge increases to a Class A misdemeanor. For unlawful syringe possession, you would face a Level Six felony.
- Police entrapment
- Missing evidence
- Unlawful search and seizure (4th Amendment)
- Unwitting possession
- Prescription defense
- Insufficient evidentiary support
- No proof of possession
A drug charge is a serious offense that has significant consequences. At Worthley Law, we know how devastating a drug charge can be for our clients and their families, which is why we fight as hard as we can in every case.
When you face possession charges in Valparaiso, IN, our team at Worthley Law is here to help. Call us today at (219) 575-8565 to schedule your free initial consultation.