#INtheKnow: New Law to Create Mandatory Minimum Sentences for the Worst Meth and Heroin Dealers

#INtheKnow: New Law to Create Mandatory Minimum Sentences for the Worst Meth and Heroin Dealers

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Indiana and the entire nation are facing a drug-abuse epidemic that is destroying lives and damaging entire communities.

This past session, the General Assembly focused on ways to fight this growing epidemic. This included passing legislation to establish tougher penalties for the dealers who fuel drug abuse in our communities.

House Enrolled Act 1235, sponsored by Sen. Mike Young (R-Indianapolis), establishes mandatory minimum sentences for the worst meth and heroin dealers. HEA 1235 provides that the sentence for the highest felony level of dealing meth or heroin with a prior dealing conviction can’t be suspended below the 10-year minimum sentence for a Level 2 felony.

For three years in a row, Indiana has led the nation in the number of meth-lab incidents, and heroin-overdose deaths have more than tripled since 2010.

The implementation of a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence for the worst drug dealers ensures they stay behind bars longer so they can’t profit from getting more Hoosiers addicted to illegal drugs.

HEA 1235 goes into effect this Friday, July 1.

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