Drug Crime Charges Can Change Your Future — Our Bloomington Lawyers Can Help

Last updated on May 13, 2026

A conviction for a drug offense can change the rest of your life. Although society has lessened punishments for marijuana offenses, certain quantities of marijuana can still constitute a felony. Other drugs, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, MDMA (or ecstasy) or heroin, can subject you to a permanent felony that follows you for the rest of your life. Often, these drugs also carry a significant amount of jail time or even prison.

If you are facing a charge for a drug crime, you need the help of an experienced attorney. Our Bloomington drug crime lawyers at Shapiro & Shapiro Law Office, L.L.P., have been helping individuals accused of drug offenses for decades.

Defending Clients From A Variety Of Drug Crime Charges

Our criminal defense law firm represents clients who are facing charges like:

• Possession
• Possession with intent to manufacture, finance or deliver
• Manufacturing
• Trafficking or dealing

Our dedicated Bloomington drug crime lawyers also handle other charges that can sometimes be involved in drug offenses, like weapons charges.

Our founding attorney Sam Shapiro and his son, Tanner Shapiro, both started their legal careers in the prosecutor’s office, giving them unique insight into what the other side might try in order to get a conviction. They bring this insight to each client’s case, crafting strategic defenses that seek the best outcome possible, whether that means pleading to a lesser charge or seeking an acquittal at trial.

Meth Charges In Indiana

Methamphetamine charges in Indiana can be severe and long-lasting. For those facing meth-related offenses, it is crucial to understand the charges and potential penalties, such as:

• Dealing methamphetamine: This is a serious offense in Indiana. It carries significant penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. A conviction for this charge can have a lasting impact on one’s life.
• Possession of methamphetamine: This is a serious offense in Indiana, with penalties varying based on the amount possessed and the individual’s prior record. A conviction for possession of methamphetamine can lead to a lengthy prison sentence and substantial fines.
• Unlawful sale and storage of pseudoephedrine: A common precursor to methamphetamine is pseudoephedrine. The sale and storage of pseudoephedrine are heavily regulated in Indiana. Violations of these regulations, including possession with the intent to manufacture meth, can result in serious penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
• Illegal sale, storage or transportation of ammonia: Another precursor commonly used in methamphetamine production is ammonia. It’s illegal sale, storage or transportation is a serious offense in Indiana, particularly when done in noncompliant containers or when there is intent to manufacture meth. It carries severe consequences, including prison sentences and steep fines.
• Possession or sale of other precursors: The possession or sale of other precursors, such as red phosphorus and iodine, with the intent to manufacture meth is strictly regulated in Indiana. Violations of these regulations can result in serious penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
• Failure to report meth labs: Indiana law requires the reporting of methamphetamine labs to authorities. Failure to report a methamphetamine lab can result in penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
• Dumping controlled substance waste: This is a felony in Indiana, punishable by imprisonment and fines. This charge often accompanies methamphetamine-related offenses, as the production of meth generates hazardous waste.
• Neglect of a dependent: This can be charged when a person responsible for a child or vulnerable adult allows them to be exposed to a hazardous environment, such as a meth lab. This charge can have severe consequences, including imprisonment and fines.

Facing meth charges can be overwhelming, especially when considering the potential consequences of a conviction. Those convicted of methamphetamine-related offenses may be required to pay restitution for environmental cleanup costs.

This can add significant financial burdens to an already serious situation. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Shapiro & Shapiro Law Office, L.L.P., are here to help whether you are facing drug possession charges or more severe charges like dealing or manufacturing.

What Are Enhancing Circumstances In Indiana Drug Crimes?

Indiana law recognizes certain factors that can elevate drug charges from misdemeanors to felonies or increase the severity of existing felony charges. These enhancing circumstances apply when drug offenses involve situations that pose greater risks to public safety overall.

Several specific factors can trigger enhanced penalties under Indiana Code 35-48-1-16.5:

• A previous conviction for dealing controlled substances other than marijuana, hashish, hash oil or salvia divinorum represents one such factor. 
• Possessing a firearm while committing a drug offense also results in more serious charges. The law does not require that the weapon be used or even displayed during the offense. Simply having a firearm in your possession at the time of the alleged drug crime is sufficient as an enhancing circumstance.
• Location plays a critical role in determining whether enhanced penalties apply. Drug offenses committed on school buses, on school property where minors are expected to be present or in public parks where children are reasonably anticipated carry increased penalties. The proximity rules extend to areas within 500 feet of schools and parks, meaning you do not need to be on the actual property itself for this factor to apply. 
• Delivering drugs to individuals under 18 years old who are at least three years younger than the offender triggers enhanced charges as well.
• Committing drug offenses in the physical presence of children under 18 while knowing they could witness the illegal activity also leads to enhanced penalties. 
• Offenses occurring within 100 feet of substance abuse treatment facilities or recovery meeting locations face similar treatment under the law. 
• Manufacturing or financing the production of controlled substances qualifies as an enhancing factor.

The reasoning behind many of these enhancements centers on protecting vulnerable populations and discouraging drug activity in places where individuals seek help or where children gather.

The practical consequences of enhancing circumstances are substantial. Felony charges at Level 4, 5 and 6 increase by one level when enhancing circumstances apply. Class A misdemeanors can jump to Level 6 felonies, which carry significantly longer prison sentences and higher fines. 

Reach Out Via Phone Or Email For Your Drug Charge Defense

Our firm focuses exclusively on criminal defense, allowing our Bloomington drug crime attorneys to truly hone their skills in this area. To speak with trusted legal counsel, you can reach our Bloomington office at 812-484-3844 or send us an email 24/7 through our online contact form. Our team looks forward to hearing from you and defending you from allegations of drug offenses, including narcotics charges and drug distribution charges.