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WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR METHAMPHETAMINE POSSESSION?

On Behalf of | Nov 16, 2020 | Drug Crimes

Indiana laws that govern possession of Methamphetamine are separate from other requirements for controlled substances. They are harsh where the culprits are punished harshly by the law due to the high potential of abuse of this drug.

An offender faces a penalty ranging from level 5 felony to a level 2 felony under the Indiana Drug laws. There is, therefore, a code that outlines how a person in possession of Methamphetamine should be punished by law.

How much meth is a felony?

Indiana has very tough laws that govern dealing with and having Methamphetamine. Those culprits caught selling or even possessing small amounts get some years in jail, and penalties involved are equally higher.

  • An individual who, without a legal prescription or order of a practitioner acting in practitioner’s professional practice possesses methamphetamine commits ownership of Methamphetamine, a level 6 crime in Indiana.
  • If the amount of drug possessed is less than ten and at least 5grams, the offence is a level 5 felony. If the drug is less than 5 grams, an enhancing circumstance applies.
  • Should the number of drugs be at least 10 grams but less than 28 grams the offence is a level 4 felony and an enhancing condition applies for medications of less than ten but at least 5 grams
  • The offence is a level 3 felony if the amount of the drug involved is at least 28grams and an enhancing condition applies to a person in possession of medicine that is at least ten but less than 28 grams in quantity.

Alongside this classification, anybody found in possession of Methamphetamine gets charged alongside other enhancing circumstances that include:

  • A previous conviction for trade with, or endeavouring to deal with a controlled substance
  • Having a firearm during the charge of  the crime
  • Committing the crime on a school bus
  • Performing the offence within 500 feet of a school property
  • Delivery of, or finance of the conveying of the substance to a person under 18 years of age of 3 years junior the offender’s age
  • Executing the offence in the physical presence of a child less than 18 years knowingly.

It is worthwhile to note that every methamphetamine possession case is unique and different, but the consequences of the possession of this substance charges are the same.

When determining the penalty to impose to an offender, it is advisable to review every aspect of each case and the circumstances surrounding to assist in determining the best approach for the defence. Leniency should be practised at all times when resolving the penalty to subject to the offender.  The drug possession charges could haunt an offender for the rest of his life, and since meth users are not hardened criminals, costs can be imposed in a way that would help the offender stop being addicted to the dangerous drug and have a change of life.

Having a felony drug criminal record can bar an individual from securing employment, finding housing, receiving government benefits and even student loans in the case of students.