Indiana Fentanyl Charge Defense Attorney 

Fort Wayne lawyer handles fentanyl drug crime cases

Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are powerful synthetic opioid drugs that can cause fatal overdoses. If you’re accused of possessing or distributing them, you can count on the services of an Indiana fentanyl charge defense attorney at The Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey to fight the charges against you in court and protect your rights.

What is fentanyl and what are fentanyl-related substances?

Fentanyl is a lab-manufactured drug that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It has a legitimate medical use of treating patients with chronic severe pain or severe pain following surgery. Because of its potency and low cost, fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal reaction. A related drug, carfentanyl, is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and is legal only to tranquilize large animals. Drug charges can also be brought concerning fentanyl-related substances, which are drugs made structurally similar to fentanyl by one or more modifications. 

Indiana laws on fentanyl possession and distribution

Under Indiana law, fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are Schedule 1 drugs, which are those with a currently accepted medical use but also with a high potential for abuse. The law prohibits possessing drugs of this type for personal use without a prescription. Possession may be either actual, when you have the drug on your person, or constructive, such as when you keep it in a place under your control or entrust it to a subordinate. A more serious charge is dealing in fentanyl, which means manufacturing, distributing or dispensing these drugs to others, or possessing them with the intent to do so. 

Penalties for conviction of fentanyl possession in Indiana

Punishments for the simple possession of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are severe. They range from six months to 2.5 years of incarceration for possession of less than five grams to three to 16 years in prison for possession of 28 or more grams. Penalties may increase due to presence of aggravating circumstances, such as possessing the drug within 500 feet of a school zone or public park or within 100 feet of a substance abuse rehabilitation facility.

Penalties for conviction of fentanyl distribution in Indiana

The penalties for the distribution of fentanyl and fentanyl-like substances are more severe and increase based on the amounts involved. Dealing amounts of more than one gram but less than five grams is a Level 4 felony, punishable by prison term of between two and 12 years. At the high end of the scale, dealing amounts of 10 grams or more is a Level 2 felony, punishable by a term of 10 to 30 years. As with possessory offenses, the penalties can increase if there are aggravating factors. In addition, regardless of the level of the felony, the convicted person may be fined $10,000 or more.

Indiana fentanyl charges attorney defends possession and distribution cases

If you are arrested on drug charges, I will represent you in your interrogation and counsel you against making any incriminating statements. I will move to suppress any evidence seized in violation of your constitutional rights and contest any other evidence presented by the state. In some cases, it might be possible to get the charges against you reduced or even dismissed. If you do go to trial, I will vigorously contest the prosecution’s evidence and present any evidence that supports your defense. You can count on me to zealously protect your rights at every stage.

Contact a determined fentanyl charge defense attorney

If you are accused of possessing or distributing fentanyl, The Law Offices of Ryan E. Lackey in Fort Wayne is ready to help. For a free consultation, please contact the firm online or call us at 260-222-7364.