Indianapolis Prescription Drug Crime Lawyer
Under Indiana law, it is illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture controlled substances. Doing so carries harsh penalties, including prison time and hefty fines.
When people think of controlled substances, they think of illegal drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, fentanyl, and maybe even marijuana. However, controlled substances are defined as drugs that are regulated by the government, which means they can also include prescription drugs.
If you have been accused of illegally obtaining prescription drugs, you need to take it seriously. You are facing felony charges, which can affect you for the rest of your life. Contact Rigney Law LLC for legal help. Our Indianapolis prescription drug crime lawyer can defend you from the charges you face.
Prescription Drug Laws
You could face various criminal charges for breaking Indiana’s prescription drug laws. These charges may include:
- Carrying prescription drugs without their original bottle
- Being in possession of a prescription medication without a prescription
- Unlawful distribution of a drug
A prescription drug crime may be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the type of drug, quantity, and a person’s criminal record.
Fraudulently acquiring a controlled substance by altering a prescription is considered a Level 6 felony, which is punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison as well as $10,000 in fines. Subsequent offenses are charged as Level 5 felonies, which can result in 1-6 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
If a person duplicates or reproduces prescription pads without a doctor’s permission, this is a Level 6 felony for a first offense and a Level 5 felony for subsequent offenses. Selling or distributing Schedule I and Schedule II drugs is considered a Level 6 felony.
Schedules of Drugs
- Schedule I. The drug has a high potential for abuse and has no currently accepted medical use. Heroin, LSD, marijuana, and ecstasy fall under this category.
- Schedule II. The drug has a high potential for abuse, but can be used for medical treatment with severe restrictions. Vicodin, cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, and fentanyl are examples of Schedule II drugs.
- Schedule III. The drug can be used for medical treatment and has a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I and II drugs. Schedule III drugs include codeine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
- Schedule IV. The drug can be used for medical treatment and has a low potential for abuse. Examples include Xanax, Soma, Valium, Ambien, and Tramadol.
- Schedule V. The drug has the lowest potential for abuse relative to all other scheduled drugs. Examples include cough medicines, Motofen, and Lyrica.
Contact Rigney Law LLC Today
Many people have become addicted to prescription drugs, which makes these crimes strictly enforced. Using another person’s medication can lead to criminal charges.
Whether or not this is your first offense, you need strong defense. The team at Rigney Law LLC will fight hard to protect your future. Contact our Indianapolis prescription drug crime lawyer today by filling out the online form or calling (317) 623-0989.
