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Indiana criminal charge

Possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7.

What is the penalty for possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule v controlled substance in Indiana?

Penalties for Possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 1 year (Possession of a schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance (base offense) — A person, without a valid prescription, knowingly or intentionally possesses a controlled substance or controlled substance analog classified in schedule I (except marijuana, hashish, or salvia), or classified in schedule II, III, or IV.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-2
Fineup to $5,000 (Possession of a schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance (base offense) — A person, without a valid prescription, knowingly or intentionally possesses a controlled substance or controlled substance analog classified in schedule I (except marijuana, hashish, or salvia), or classified in schedule II, III, or IV.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-2
Jail / prison6 months to 30 months (Possession of a controlled substance with enhancing circumstance — The offense described in subsection (a) is committed and an enhancing circumstance applies.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c)))presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Fineup to $10,000 (Possession of a controlled substance with enhancing circumstance — The offense described in subsection (a) is committed and an enhancing circumstance applies.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Jail / prisonup to 1 year (Unlawfully obtaining or possessing schedule V controlled substance — A person, without a valid prescription, knowingly or intentionally obtains more than four ounces of schedule V controlled substances containing codeine in a 48-hour period, obtains a schedule V controlled substance by misrepresentation, or possesses a schedule V controlled substance other than by prescription or exempt narcotic register.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-2
Fineup to $5,000 (Unlawfully obtaining or possessing schedule V controlled substance — A person, without a valid prescription, knowingly or intentionally obtains more than four ounces of schedule V controlled substances containing codeine in a 48-hour period, obtains a schedule V controlled substance by misrepresentation, or possesses a schedule V controlled substance other than by prescription or exempt narcotic register.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-2

Applies to current.

How is possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule v controlled substance classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Possession of a schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance (base offense)Class A MisdemeanorA person, without a valid prescription, knowingly or intentionally possesses a controlled substance or controlled substance analog classified in schedule I (except marijuana, hashish, or salvia), or classified in schedule II, III, or IV.Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7(a)
Possession of a controlled substance with enhancing circumstanceLevel 6 FelonyThe offense described in subsection (a) is committed and an enhancing circumstance applies.Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7(b)
Unlawfully obtaining or possessing schedule V controlled substanceClass A MisdemeanorA person, without a valid prescription, knowingly or intentionally obtains more than four ounces of schedule V controlled substances containing codeine in a 48-hour period, obtains a schedule V controlled substance by misrepresentation, or possesses a schedule V controlled substance other than by prescription or exempt narcotic register.Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7(c)

Common questions about possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule v controlled substance in Indiana

Is possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7.

Possession of a schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance (base offense): Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7(a)) · Possession of a controlled substance with enhancing circumstance: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7(b)) · Unlawfully obtaining or possessing schedule V controlled substance: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7(c))

What are the penalties for possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance in Indiana?

Penalties for possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class A Misdemeanor up to a Level 6 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Indiana statute covers possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance?

Possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance is governed by Ind. Code § 35-48-4-7 (Possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog; obtaining a schedule V controlled substance).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.