Indiana Drug Possession Lawyers

Defending your record after drug possession charges.

When You Need the Right Indiana Drug Possession Attorneys for Your Case

If you are facing a drug possession charge in Indiana, the damage may already feel real. Your name may be in a court filing. Your employer might find out. Your family may already know something is wrong.

A charge like this follows you before a single hearing is held.

Indiana treats drug possession seriously. Depending on the substance, amount, and circumstances, you could be facing a misdemeanor or felony. Either one can affect your job, your housing, and your future.

The weight of that lands fast.

Summerfield-Dandurand Law Group, LLP, Founders of Custom Law is a boutique criminal defense firm based in Noblesville, Indiana. The firm’s founding attorneys, Robert Summerfield and Nicholas Dandurand, each spent time on the other side of these cases as prosecutors in Hamilton County. They know how the State builds a drug possession case.

They also know where the record deserves a harder look.

A drug possession charge does not equal a conviction. The stop, the search, and the way evidence was gathered all matter. If any part of that process went wrong, there may be grounds to challenge the State’s case.

Our Indiana drug possession lawyers look at every fact from the moment of your arrest forward.

We serve clients across Indiana, with a strong presence in Hamilton County and surrounding communities including Carmel, Fishers, and Westfield. If you are facing a charge right now, here is what you need to know.

What Drug Charges Can Do to Your Life in Indiana

A drug possession charge in Indiana puts your job, your name, and your freedom under pressure. Employers run background checks. Landlords may see the charge. A case can create problems before any verdict comes down.

That damage starts now. Not after a conviction. The moment you’re charged, the record exists.

People may see it. And the longer you wait, the more time the State has to build its case.

Without a lawyer, you walk into court without knowing what evidence the State has or where its case can be challenged. Prosecutors move forward while you are trying to figure out what happens next.

Custom Law takes drug possession cases head-on.

We review how the stop happened, how the search was conducted, and whether law enforcement followed the rules. A bad stop or an unlawful search can matter. Evidence gathered unlawfully may be subject to exclusion.

We look at every angle: the charge, the facts, the evidence, and the weak points in the State’s case. Then we build a response that makes the prosecution prove every point.

Visit our criminal defense page to see how Custom Law handles Indiana criminal cases.

If the State wants a conviction, it has to prove its case.

Why Custom Law Handles Indiana Drug Cases Differently

Two things matter when you are choosing a lawyer for a drug possession case: understanding how the State builds these cases and being prepared to challenge the case when the record gives you grounds to do it.

Custom Law’s founding attorneys bring that prosecutorial experience to the defense.

Both Founders Prosecuted Drug Cases in Indiana

Before starting Custom Law, Robert Summerfield and Nicholas Dandurand served as prosecutors in Hamilton County.

They charged cases. They built cases. They saw what prosecutors looked for when evaluating evidence and preparing cases for court.

Now that experience informs how we examine your defense.

When your attorney understands how the State approaches a case, it can help identify where the evidence needs to be tested and where the prosecution has more to prove.

Trial-Ready From Day One in Every Case

Custom Law prepares every drug possession case with trial in mind.

That means every search gets scrutinized, every report gets read closely, and every weakness in the State’s case gets examined before you ever sit in a courtroom.

We do not wait until a trial date is approaching to start preparing.

The defense starts with the record.

Rooted in Hamilton County Courts

The firm’s primary office is in Noblesville, Indiana. Custom Law handles drug possession cases across Hamilton County and throughout Indiana, including Carmel, Fishers, and Westfield.

When your case is in Hamilton County Superior Court, local knowledge can matter. Your case moves through a particular court, before particular judges and prosecutors, under specific procedures.

Understanding that setting is part of preparing your case.

A Small Firm Where the Partners Work Your Case

Custom Law is a boutique firm by design.

Robert Summerfield and Nicholas Dandurand are directly involved in the cases they accept. Your case does not disappear into a large volume of files or get passed from person to person without continuity.

You should be able to speak with someone who knows your file and understands what is happening.

Criminal Defense Is the Focus, Not a Side Practice

Custom Law focuses on criminal defense in Indiana courts. Drug possession cases are part of that work, not an afterthought.

We examine Indiana drug law, the evidence supporting the charge, the conduct that led to the search or arrest, and what the State must prove.

The foundation is straightforward: prosecutorial experience, trial preparation, and local court knowledge applied to the facts of your case.

What Happens After You’re Charged in Indiana

The process starts with a review of your case.

Custom Law looks at the police report, the stop, the search, and how the evidence was gathered. Indiana law places limits on searches and seizures, and the circumstances surrounding a search can determine whether evidence can be challenged.

If those rules were not followed, that may become an important part of your defense.

Stage 1: Case Review

We start by reviewing what happened.

We look at the police report, the stop, the search, the arrest, and how the evidence was gathered. We want to know what the State says happened and what the available evidence actually shows.

If the State’s version does not line up with the record, that matters.

Stage 2: Strategy

Once your facts are on the table, your attorney maps out a plan.

Every possession case is different. The charge may hinge on where the substance was found, how much was involved, who had access to the area, whether the substance was actually identified, or whether the search was lawful.

Your attorney will walk you through the options. Depending on the circumstances, those may include challenging the evidence, seeking a reduction, negotiating a resolution, or pursuing a diversion program if you qualify under Indiana’s rules.

The strategy comes from the facts, not a template.

Stage 3: Court Appearances

Most Indiana drug cases involve several court dates before a final outcome.

There may be an initial hearing, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, or other proceedings depending on the case. Your attorney appears with you at the required stages and handles the legal work involved.

You should not have to walk into a Hamilton County courtroom without knowing what is happening or why.

Stage 4: Negotiation or Trial

Many cases resolve before trial through negotiation. The State may offer a plea, a reduced charge, or a diversion option.

Your attorney reviews any offer with you and gives you a straight assessment of what it means for your record and your future.

If the offer does not make sense for your case, we continue preparing for the fight.

Custom Law prepares every case for trial from day one, so a decision to litigate is backed by preparation rather than last-minute work.

Stage 5: Resolution

Resolution looks different depending on your case.

It might involve a dismissal, reduced charge, diversion agreement, plea agreement, or verdict. If diversion applies, Indiana courts may allow qualifying defendants to complete a program without receiving a conviction on the record.

Your attorney will explain what each available path means for your record, your job, and your life going forward.

What to Expect Along the Way

Drug cases in Indiana can take weeks to months to resolve, depending on the court’s schedule, the evidence, and how the case develops.

You should expect regular communication and straight answers.

If something changes in your case, you should know about it. At every stage, we look for opportunities to challenge the State where the facts and law support doing so.

Talk to an Indiana Drug Possession Lawyer Now

A drug possession charge in Indiana can put your job, your freedom, and your record under pressure. That damage starts the moment you’re charged, not the moment you’re convicted.

You need someone looking at the case now.

Custom Law serves clients across Indiana, with its primary office in Noblesville and representation extending throughout Hamilton County and surrounding communities. Our attorneys know Hamilton County courts. They also know how prosecutors build these cases because they built cases themselves before moving into defense work.

Don’t wait to start examining the evidence.

Police reports get written. Evidence gets preserved. Witnesses’ memories change. Motions have deadlines.

If you’re ready to address the charge, contact Custom Law to request a confidential case review. Tell us what happened. Be straight with us.

We’ll review the stop, the search, the evidence, and the charges the State has filed. Then we’ll tell you where you stand and what deserves a fight.

Reach our Noblesville office through our contact page or use the form online to get started. Spanish interpreters are available on call for Spanish-speaking clients.

The charge is already doing damage. Now it’s time to examine the case behind it.

Questions About Indiana Drug Possession Cases

Can I be charged with drug possession if the drugs weren’t mine?

Yes. Indiana prosecutors may pursue a possession charge based on a theory of constructive possession when they claim you had the ability and intent to control the drugs even if they were not found directly on you. Where the drugs were found, who had access to them, and what other evidence exists can all matter. An attorney can examine whether the evidence actually supports the State’s theory.

Will a drug possession charge show up on a background check before I’m convicted?

An arrest or criminal case may appear in the background information before the case is resolved. Whether a particular record is accessible depends on the type of record and the circumstances. Indiana law also provides procedures for sealing or expunging qualifying records. Your attorney can review your situation and explain what options may become available.

Does it matter what type of drug was involved?

Yes. Indiana classifies controlled substances into schedules, and the type and amount of substance can affect the level of the possession offense and potential consequences. Prior convictions and other circumstances may also affect the charge. The specific substance and facts of the case need to be examined rather than assuming every possession charge is treated the same way.

What happens if I miss my court date after being charged?

A missed court date can lead to a warrant or other court consequences. If you missed a hearing, contact an attorney promptly so the situation can be addressed. Do not assume the problem will simply disappear.

Can a first-time offender avoid jail on a drug possession charge in Indiana?

Possibly. Depending on the charge, criminal history, county, and other circumstances, a first-time offender may qualify for diversion or another alternative to a conviction or incarceration. Eligibility is not automatic. We review the actual charge and record before telling you what options may be available.