Being accused of a drug crime can land anyone in a legal soup, not just in Indiana but across the country. In addition to the serious charges and the possible conviction and its consequences, those accused of drug crimes often have to deal with a negative social stigma that can last a very long time.
A recent incident in nearby Pike County, Indiana is worth mentioning here. According to news reports, Indiana State Police officers pulled over a car that was travelling on Interstate 69 at a speed of 86 miles per hour. Upon approaching the car, officers found that the vehicle smelled of marijuana smoke. The officers searched the car and found marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The driver of the vehicle, a 22-year-old man, appeared intoxicated but refused to take field sobriety tests. Police charged him with possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in addition to charges for driving while intoxicated. There were two other adult passengers and a 15-month-old child in the car. One of those passengers, a 36-year-old woman, was charged with neglect and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The third adult passenger was charged with possession of marijuana.
In Indiana, penalties for possession of drugs such as methamphetamine is considered a felony, which means that the penalties can be as harsh as up to 50 years in prison, based on the quantity of the drug possessed. Possession of marijuana too, beyond a certain limit, is considered a felony with a prison term of up to three years. There are also laws that govern possession of paraphernalia.
Looking at these consequences, one may agree that drug charges and their consequences in Indiana are indeed serious. In the event that timely remedial action is not taken, the going can get even tougher for the accused as law enforcement agencies and courts are often inclined to take tough action against those accused of drug crimes. Considering these challenges, it may be a wise decision for those accused with drug crimes to seek legal representation at the earliest opportunity that they get.
