Dealing in Marijuana Lawyer in Indianapolis

Dealing in marijuana is not limited to the actual sale of the drug. Under Indiana law, you can be charged with dealing if you knowingly or intentionally manufacture marijuana, deliver it to someone else, or possess it with the intent to deliver. This means simply having a large quantity, even without catching a transaction on tape, can lead to dealing charges.

Possession charges usually imply the drugs were for personal use, while dealing charges imply you intended to distribute them. Prosecutors often elevate possession to dealing based on circumstantial evidence, such as the presence of scales, individual baggies, large amounts of cash, or the total weight of the marijuana found.

Penalties vary significantly based on the amount of marijuana involved and prior convictions. Charges can range from a Class A Misdemeanor (for small amounts with no priors) to a Level 5 Felony (carrying 1-6 years in prison) for amounts between 30 grams and 10 pounds. Dealing over 10 pounds is a Level 5 Felony, and prior offenses can enhance these charges further.

To hire a marijuana lawyer, contact a criminal defense firm immediately after your arrest or upon learning of an investigation. Look for a firm like Gemma & Karimi that specializes in drug crimes and has a track record of challenging illegal searches and seizures in Marion County courts.

You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. You also have the right to refuse consent to a search of your vehicle, home, or person unless the police have a warrant. Exercising these rights immediately is critical to your legal defense steps.

A drug crimes attorney is a legal professional specializing in the defense of individuals charged with controlled substance offenses. They understand the nuances of Indiana drug statutes, constitutional search and seizure laws, and how to negotiate with prosecutors to reduce or dismiss marijuana distribution charges.

Defense strategies often focus on Fourth Amendment violations. If the police stopped you without reasonable suspicion or searched you without probable cause, the evidence (drugs) may be suppressed. Other defenses include proving “constructive possession” (the drugs belonged to someone else) or lack of intent to distribute.

The weight of the drug is the primary factor in determining the severity of the felony. For example, dealing less than 30 grams is generally a Level 6 Felony (or Class A Misdemeanor with no priors), while dealing between 30 grams and 10 pounds elevates the charge to a Level 5 Felony.

Expect a legal process that begins with an initial hearing where bail is set. Your attorney will then enter the “discovery” phase to review police reports and evidence. This is followed by suppression hearings to challenge how evidence was gathered, plea negotiations, and potentially a trial if a favorable agreement cannot be reached.

Yes. “Delivery” in Indiana includes transferring marijuana from one person to another, regardless of whether money changed hands. Furthermore, you can be charged with dealing based solely on “possession with intent,” meaning the police believe you planned to sell it, even if no sale occurred.

While jail time is a possibility for any felony conviction, it is not guaranteed. A skilled marijuana lawyer can often negotiate for alternatives such as probation, house arrest (community corrections), or conditional discharge programs, especially for first-time offenders with strong legal representation.

Prosecutors rely on the “totality of the circumstances.” If they find a large quantity of marijuana that is inconsistent with personal use, along with text messages, pay-owe sheets, scales, or large sums of cash, they will argue these factors prove you intended to sell the drugs.

Warrantless searches are a common point of contention in drug cases. If the police did not have probable cause or a valid exception to the warrant requirement (such as the smell of marijuana, which is increasingly contested), your attorney can file a Motion to Suppress to have the evidence thrown out.

Yes. Indiana law allows for sentence enhancements if the dealing activity occurred within 500 feet of a school or public park when children were present. This can increase the felony level and the mandatory minimum sentence you face.

Gemma & Karimi provide aggressive, experienced legal representation for drug crimes in Indianapolis. We understand the high stakes of marijuana distribution charges and work tirelessly to protect your freedom by challenging the prosecution’s evidence and fighting for the best possible outcome.