Indianapolis Drug Crimes

Drug Crime Attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana

Over 30 Years of Criminal Defense, Every Case Handled Personally

A drug charge in Indianapolis can follow you for the rest of your life. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor possession charge or a Level 1 felony dealing case carrying up to 40 years in state prison, the decisions made in the first hours and days after an arrest shape what options remain. I’m David Shircliff, and I’ve been defending clients in Marion County and throughout Central Indiana since 1990. That’s more than three decades of criminal defense, including service as a public defender and over 180 jury trials as lead counsel. I know how this system works from every angle.

When you call Shircliff Law LLC, I answer. I personally handle every aspect of your case from the first phone call through final resolution. There are no associates, no handoffs, and no wondering whether a junior attorney is managing your file. My clients describe me as relentless, decisive, sincere, and honest, and I won’t sugar coat where your case stands. What I can do is build an aggressive, case-specific strategy from day one and fight for the best possible outcome at every stage.

If you’re facing a drug charge in Indianapolis, don’t wait. Call Shircliff Law LLC now at (317) 936-3404 to schedule a free consultation.

Why Indianapolis Clients Choose Me for Drug Crime Defense

Facing a drug charge in Marion County means navigating Indiana’s controlled substances statutes, the Indianapolis court system, and prosecutors who handle these cases every day. What I bring to that environment is a record built entirely in Indiana courtrooms. I’ve handled thousands of cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies and won at every level of the Indiana court system. My reputation as someone who hates to lose and will go to trial when it serves my client isn’t just a phrase. It’s how I approach every file on my desk.

My approach is what I call compassionately aggressive. I give clients a clear, direct picture of their situation. I don’t downplay the severity of a charge, and I don’t overstate outcomes. What I do is work relentlessly to protect your rights, challenge the state’s evidence, and pursue every viable defense available under Indiana law. I also serve as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. That keeps me grounded in the academic depth of Indiana criminal law alongside the practical realities of the courtroom.

I offer a free consultation to discuss your case before you make any financial commitment. I understand that legal fees create real pressure, and I work with clients on payment solutions so that a strong defense stays within reach.

Indianapolis Drug Charges I Defend

Indiana’s criminal code covers a wide range of drug-related offenses under Indiana Code Title 35. The specific charge, the substance involved, the quantity, and the circumstances of the arrest all determine how serious the case becomes. These are the primary charge types I defend in Indianapolis and throughout Marion County.

Simple Possession: Charges for personal-use quantities of a controlled substance, ranging from Class B misdemeanor to Level 6 felony depending on the drug and amount.
Possession with Intent to Distribute: When the quantity seized, combined with circumstantial evidence such as baggies, scales, or large amounts of cash, suggests the drugs weren’t for personal use, prosecutors charge dealing rather than possession.
Dealing in a Controlled Substance: Covers the sale or transfer of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, opioids, prescription drugs, marijuana, and other Schedule I through V substances. Dealing in cocaine is a Level 5 felony in Indiana, punishable by one to six years, with enhancements available based on quantity, location, or prior record.
Drug Manufacturing: Producing, preparing, or cultivating a controlled substance carries its own felony classifications and can be charged alongside dealing offenses.
Constructive Possession: Indiana prosecutors charge constructive possession when drugs are found in a location the accused controls, such as a vehicle or residence, even without physical possession on the person. These charges require the state to prove knowledge and control, which are genuinely contestable elements.
Location Enhancements: A drug offense committed on a school bus or within 500 feet of school property or a public park, where a person under 18 was reasonably expected to be present, can be elevated to a higher felony level, significantly increasing sentencing exposure.

Indiana Marijuana Charges

Indiana hasn’t legalized recreational or medical marijuana. Possession charges range from a Class B misdemeanor for small amounts to a Level 6 felony for larger quantities, and distribution charges escalate further. Out-of-state legal status has no bearing on Indiana charges.

What a Drug Conviction Can Cost You in Indiana

Indiana’s felony sentencing structure runs from Level 6 at the low end, six months to two and a half years, up to Level 1, carrying 20 to 40 years in state prison, with fines up to $10,000 at each level. But the criminal sentence is only part of what a conviction carries.

A drug conviction on your record can affect:

Employment background checks
Housing applications
Professional licensing boards
Federal student aid eligibility
Firearm rights
Voting rights
Immigration status
Child custody proceedings

These collateral consequences last long after a sentence is served. That’s why I give every client a direct, honest assessment of the full picture from the very first conversation.

What Sets Shircliff Law LLC Apart?

Clear Guidance. Strong Defense. Always on Your Side.

Over 30 Years Experience
With over 30 years of courtroom experience, David Shircliff brings unmatched legal insight to every case.
Honest, Relentless & Decisive
We tell you the truth, fight without hesitation, and act with purpose at every stage.
Won At Every Level
From local courts to federal appeals, we know how to win — and we’ve done it.
Hands-On Approach
We work with you one-on-one, staying hands-on through every phase of your case.

Trusted By Those We've Defended

Read Client Reviews & Testimonials

Upfront, Honest & Reliable
“David is a very good and reliable attorney. I would highly recommend him! He is upfront and honest, and he offers payment plans. I know that helps a lot of people out and keeps them from doing jail time when they can't afford an attorney.”

- Mike C.
Great Attorney
“Great attorney! He did a wonderful job on my case. Communicated well and was very personable. He was aggressive in the courtroom and didn't let the other party waste time. I would not hesitate to use David Shircliff again.”

- Travis T.
Made the Process Easy
“This was my first time in legal trouble, and I didn’t know what to do or expect. David Shircliff made the process easy, and I’m very appreciative of the realistic outcome. He was extremely informative and kept me updated about my case.”

- Sean L.
David Knows the Law Well
“I definitely recommend hiring David Shircliff. He knows the law well and will actually fight for you. David helped me feel at ease and ultimately got my case dismissed. I can’t thank him enough.”

- Payton S.
The Best Lawyer Around
“David is arguably the best lawyer around and is fantastic at his job. He works hard to get you the most realistic and best outcome. I would recommend David 100 times over, and should I ever need a lawyer in the future, he is the one I am calling!”

- Morgan C.
I Felt Taken Care Of
“Great experience! David was always a text away and any inquiries I had or needed advice, he was always there with a helping hand. I felt completely secure and taken care of. Shircliff Law LLC made the whole experience easy!”

- Mary J.
Proved My Husband's Innocence
“David Shircliff is a compassionate, caring, and upfront lawyer. My husband was falsely accused of a serious charge. Mr. Shircliff believed in his innocence and worked to prove it. We are thankful for the result, which was having his case dismissed.”

- Jana F.
Won My Case
“Mr. Shircliff is a great attorney. He battled a year and a half case for something I didn’t do and won the case. He handled both my cases this year. I highly recommend, and I won’t ever hesitate to hire him back if I ever need to!”

- Austin C.
Gave Me a Second Chance
“David Shircliff is an incredibly intelligent lawyer. I was facing serious felony charges that could have definitely ended up in a long prison sentence. David changed my life and gave me a second opportunity. Can't thank him enough.”

- Jonathan A.

How I Defend Drug Charges in Indianapolis

Every drug case I take starts with a thorough review of how the evidence was obtained. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution both protect against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement violated those protections during a traffic stop, a search of your home, or the execution of a warrant, that evidence may be suppressible. A successful suppression hearing may leave prosecutors without the foundation for their case.

My background as a public defender gave me an inside view of how the state builds drug cases and where they’re vulnerable. I use that perspective every time I evaluate a file. Common avenues I examine include:

The legality of the stop or search
Whether constructive possession elements are genuinely supported by the facts
Chain of custody for the controlled substance
The accused’s knowledge and intent
Indiana’s Good Samaritan immunity statute in overdose emergency situations
Whether entrapment played a role

The right strategy depends entirely on the facts of the individual case. I handle cases through every stage, from the first appearance and bond hearing through evidentiary hearings and trial. My willingness to go to trial when it serves my client isn’t a negotiating posture. It’s how I practice law, and prosecutors know it.

Facing a Drug Charge in Indianapolis? Call Today.

A drug charge doesn’t have to define the rest of your life, but the defense you build now determines the options you have later. I offer a free consultation to any Indianapolis, Indiana, resident facing a drug charge. When you call, you reach me directly, not a receptionist, not an associate. I review your situation, give you an honest assessment of where things stand, and tell you exactly how I may be able to help.

Contact Shircliff Law LLC at (317) 936-3404 or reach out through the online contact form. I serve clients facing drug charges throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana, and I personally handle every case from start to finish.

What to Do After a Drug Arrest in Indianapolis

The moments after a drug arrest are critical, and the choices made then can limit or preserve your defense options. The most important step is also the simplest: invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney immediately. Indiana law enforcement can use anything you say before an attorney is present against you at trial. You don’t have to answer questions or explain what happened, where you were going, or what the drugs were for.

At the precinct, you’ll typically be allowed to make one phone call. Use it to reach a defense attorney, not to discuss the facts of your case with a family member or friend on a recorded line. What you say on that call isn’t protected.

The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options exist. Early involvement can allow for preserving evidence, identifying procedural errors while they’re still fresh, and shaping the direction of the defense before the prosecution has fully built its case. Indiana also offers pretrial diversion programs and drug court in some counties for eligible defendants. Whether those alternatives are worth pursuing depends entirely on the specific facts and your record. It’s a conversation worth having before the case moves too far forward.

Defense That Puts You First

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