Bounding invariants of fat points using a coding theory construction

Let $Z \subseteq \proj{n}$ be a fat points scheme, and let $d(Z)$ be the minimum distance of the linear code constructed from $Z$. We show that $d(Z)$ imposes constraints (i.e., upper bounds) on some specific shifts in the graded minimal free resolution of $I_Z$, the defining ideal of $Z$. We investigate this relation in the case that the support of $Z$ is a complete intersection; when $Z$ is reduced and a complete intersection we give lower bounds for $d(Z)$ that improve upon known bounds.