Trusted Tippecanoe County Drug Trafficking Attorney
If you have been charged with drug trafficking in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, you could find yourself facing severe penalties. Whether you live in Lafayette or along the Wabash River, it is essential that you understand the gravity of a drug trafficking charge. These charges demand an effective defense, and a Tippecanoe County drug trafficking lawyer is here to protect you.
Why Hire the Experienced Lawyers at The Criminal Defense Team
Drug trafficking is a serious charge that can alter the rest of your life. With over 100 years of combined experience, The Criminal Defense Team is ready to work for you. One of our Tippecanoe County drug crime lawyers is on call 24/7, and we are here whenever you need us. With a former prosecutor on our team, we know how both sides of a criminal case work and can use this knowledge to the advantage of your case.
Andrew Baldwin, Kathie Perry, Maxwell Wiley, Kelly Pyle, and Michael C. Cunningham are Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists, as certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Find out why having a Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialist as your defense lawyer is important here. There are only six total Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists in Indiana, and five of these individuals work for The Criminal Defense Team.
Defining Drug Trafficking in Tippecanoe County, IN
When facing drug trafficking charges in Tippecanoe County, it is essential to understand how these charges are legally defined. Drug trafficking is not the same as drug possession or even drug dealing. In fact, this charge comes with its own penalties and statutes. While drug offenses decreased by 3% in 2023, over 870,000 Americans were still arrested on drug-related charges, including charges of drug trafficking.
In Indiana, drug trafficking charges typically arise when an individual is believed to have sold, transported, or imported controlled substances. While there is no specific drug trafficking law listed in the state of Indiana, the state courts criminalize these charges according to weight, meaning that you can be charged with drug trafficking if you are found to be in possession of drugs on a larger scale.
In Tippecanoe County, there are three legal elements involved in a drug trafficking charge. These include:
- Quantity of drugs: A drug trafficking crime typically involves a large amount of illegal drugs or controlled substances. Keep in mind that the higher the amount of drugs involved, the more severe the possible penalties.
- Possession and intent: In order for a drug trafficking charge to stick, the prosecution must be able to prove that you were in possession of a certain amount of drugs and that you carried the intent to sell those drugs.
- Manufacture, movement, and sale: While the prosecution does not need to show that you manufactured, moved, or sold drugs in order to achieve a conviction, proving these actions could further support the prosecution’s case against you.
How We Defend You Against Drug Trafficking Charges
Going up against a drug trafficking charge without stalwart and experienced legal representation can result in you suffering severe, life-altering penalties. You need a Tippecanoe County drug trafficking attorney to review your case and identify the legal defense strategies that correctly fit your needs. There are a number of defenses that may protect you against a drug trafficking charge, including:
- Lawful possession: In cases where the defendant has a valid prescription, we may be able to use this as a defense against the charges.
- No possession: Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to argue that the drugs were not actually yours.
- Fourth Amendment violation: If you have suffered an illegal search and seizure, meaning the police searched you or your belongings without a proper warrant or other just and legal reason, then the evidence from this search may be suppressed.
- Entrapment: This defense may prove useful if an undercover agent coerced you into selling or giving them drugs.
At The Criminal Defense Team, we take your defense seriously and won’t leave a single stone unturned when it comes to determining your legal options.
FAQs
What Are the Penalties for Drug Trafficking in Indiana?
In Indiana, there are a number of penalties you could face if you are convicted of drug trafficking. You could face years of prison time, thousands of dollars in legal fees and fines, probation, loss of your civil rights, and forfeiture of your assets. You could also lose out on future housing and employment opportunities. In fact, felons reintegrating into society face a 30% unemployment rate.
What Should I Do If I Am Arrested for Drug Trafficking?
If you are arrested for drug trafficking, you need to exercise your rights. First and foremost, you have the right to remain silent. This means you do not need to answer any of the police’s questions without having your lawyer present. As soon as you are arrested, call The Criminal Defense Team. Our 24/7 on-call attorney is available no matter the time of day or night.
How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me?
A criminal defense lawyer can assist you in a number of ways when facing a drug trafficking charge. They are here to review your case, conduct an investigation, and develop a legal defense strategy. In certain cases, they may be able to have your charge dismissed or reduced and can negotiate a plea bargain or defend you in court.
What Are Considered Controlled Substances in Indiana?
Indiana classifies illegal drugs or controlled substances into schedules. The higher the schedule, the more serious the drug is and the more intense the penalties are. Schedule I drugs include LSD, heroin, and marijuana. Schedule II includes cocaine and methamphetamine. Schedule III includes ketamine and codeine. Schedule IV includes Valium and Xanax, and Schedule V includes Lyrica and Lomotil.
Hire a Drug Trafficking Lawyer Today
When the time comes to hire a drug trafficking lawyer in Tippecanoe County, The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C. is here for you. As an Indiana-based law firm, our Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists know how the state court system works and can use this knowledge to your advantage. Allow us the time to get to know you and your case so that we may offer you a defense that protects you.
Contact our offices today to learn more and schedule a consultation.