Drug Manufacturing Attorney in Bentonville

Serious Drug Charges Need Focused Defense—Call (479) 777-0640

If you are being investigated or have been arrested for drug manufacturing in or around Bentonville, you are facing one of the most serious drug charges under Arkansas law. A conviction can mean years in prison, a permanent felony record, and damage to your family and future that is hard to undo.

I am Cody W. Dowden, Attorney at Law, and my practice is devoted to criminal defense. As a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney who has spent more than a decade defending people in Northwest Arkansas courts, I understand how the State builds drug manufacturing cases and where those cases are often vulnerable. My goal is to help you understand what you are facing and to start protecting your rights immediately.

If you or someone you care about has been charged, you do not have to go through this alone. You can talk with me in a free, confidential consultation and get clear guidance about your next steps. Call (479) 777-0640 or reach out online to talk with me as your drug manufacturing lawyer in Bentonville.

Understanding Drug Manufacturing Laws in Arkansas

Drug manufacturing in Arkansas is primarily governed by the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, specifically found in Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 64. The legal definition of "manufacturing" is broader than most people realize. Under Arkansas law, it includes the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of a controlled substance, either directly or indirectly. This means you can be charged for everything from extracting chemicals to the final packaging and labeling of a drug.

The severity of the charge is largely dictated by the "Schedule" of the drug involved and the aggregate weight of the substance:

• Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Cocaine: These are treated with the highest level of severity. Under A.C.A. § 5-64-423, manufacturing even a small amount (less than two grams) is a Class C felony. However, if the amount exceeds two grams, the charge jumps to a Class Y felony, which is the most serious classification of crime in Arkansas short of capital murder.
• Fentanyl: Recent legislative updates have made manufacturing fentanyl a Class Y felony regardless of the amount, reflecting the state's aggressive stance on synthetic opioids.
• Schedule VI (Marijuana): While often perceived as less serious, manufacturing marijuana (cultivation) is a felony in Arkansas. The classification ranges from a Class D felony for small amounts to a Class A felony for manufacturing more than 100 pounds.
• Drug Paraphernalia for Manufacturing: It is a crime to possess equipment with the intent to manufacture. Under A.C.A. § 5-64-443, possessing items like pill presses, chemistry flasks, or specialized lighting for cultivation can lead to felony charges, even if no finished drugs are found.

Most drug manufacturing charges that arise in this area are filed in the Benton County Circuit Court in Bentonville. Some cases can draw the attention of federal authorities, especially when larger operations, interstate activity, or certain substances are involved. Federal charges follow different rules and sentencing guidelines, and they usually carry higher potential penalties.

Evidence in manufacturing cases often includes search warrants, surveillance, informant statements, and laboratory testing. As a Bentonville drug manufacturing lawyer, I often find that the state attempts to overcharge individuals by counting the weight of the entire "mixture" or "adulterant" rather than just the pure drug, which can artificially inflate a charge to a Class Y felony.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Manufacturing Convictions in Bentonville

The penalties for drug manufacturing in Arkansas are designed to be punitive and often include mandatory minimum sentences. A conviction can strip you of your freedom for the prime years of your life.

• Class Y Felony: Punishable by 10 to 40 years, or even life imprisonment. Crucially, certain Class Y drug offenses, like manufacturing methamphetamine, require you to serve 70% of your sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
• Class A Felony: Carries a prison sentence of 6 to 30 years and fines reaching up to $15,000.
• Class B & C Felonies: These carry 5 to 20 years and 3 to 10 years, respectively, with significant fines.

Beyond prison, the collateral consequences are life-lasting:

• Civil Asset Forfeiture: The state can seize your home, vehicles, and bank accounts if they claim the assets were used in or derived from the manufacturing process.
• Loss of Rights: You will lose your right to own a firearm and your right to vote.
• Employment Barriers: A manufacturing conviction is a "red flag" for almost all employers, effectively barring you from many professional industries.
• Housing Limitations: Many landlords refuse to rent to individuals with drug-related felony convictions.

Why Choose Me For Your Drug Manufacturing Defense in Northwest Arkansas

When you are accused of running a grow operation, helping with a lab, or taking part in any type of manufacturing, you need more than general criminal defense. You need someone who knows how prosecutors think and who regularly appears in the same courts where your case will be heard. That is the role I fill as a drug manufacturing attorney in Bentonville.

Before opening my defense practice, I served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. I used to work on the other side of cases like yours, which means I know how drug task forces, detectives, and prosecutors approach manufacturing allegations. I now use that insight to anticipate the State’s strategy and to identify issues that may benefit your defense.

For more than 15 years, I have practiced in Northwest Arkansas, including regular appearances in Benton County Circuit Court in Bentonville and in Washington County. This local experience matters. I have spent years learning how cases move through these specific courts and how local judges and prosecutors typically respond to different facts and criminal histories.

My work in criminal defense has been recognized through selection to Super Lawyers in 2024 and 2025 and to Rising Stars from 2017 through 2021. These honors reflect sustained work in serious criminal matters across Arkansas. They are not guarantees of outcome in any case, but they do show that other lawyers have taken note of my dedication to this field.

How I Defend Drug Manufacturing Cases in Bentonville

Defending a drug manufacturing case in Bentonville begins with a thorough investigation. I gather information from you, review discovery from the prosecution, and examine independent sources to understand what truly happened. A key focus is how law enforcement initiated contact—whether through a warrant, traffic stop, or consent search—and whether any constitutional violations occurred that could justify suppressing evidence.

I closely analyze laboratory testing, chain of custody, and whether seized items actually support a manufacturing charge. Many chemicals or tools have lawful uses, and the State must prove intent and connection to you. I also examine your alleged role, as not everyone present is equally involved. Challenging exaggerations about knowledge or participation can significantly affect negotiations or trial strategy.

Throughout the case, I maintain direct communication with you, explaining what the prosecution must prove and outlining your options. Drug manufacturing charges carry serious consequences that impact your family, employment, and future. My goal is to provide clear guidance, honest assessments of risk, and a strategic defense tailored to both the legal and personal realities of your situation.

When I defend a drug manufacturing case, I focus on steps such as:

• Reviewing searches, warrants, and seizures for potential constitutional problems.
• Scrutinizing lab reports and evidence handling for weaknesses the State may not want to highlight.
• Assessing your actual involvement and intent to challenge overcharging when the facts support it.
• Discussing options with you in detail, including negotiations and the possibility of trial when appropriate.

No attorney can promise a particular result, and I will not do that. What I can do is bring years of criminal defense work, former prosecutor insight, and local Benton County experience to your case, and use those tools to work for the best outcome the facts and the law allow.

Talk With Me About Your Case—A Bentonville Drug Manufacturing Attorney Ready to Serve

Drug manufacturing charges can turn your life upside down, but you do not have to face them without guidance. By speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Bentonville, you can start to understand the evidence, your options, and the specific steps we can take to protect your rights and your future.

To discuss your situation with me, call (479) 777-0640 or fill out this online form today.