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Drug Possession Lawyer Illinois
Drug Possession Lawyer Illinois. When you are caught with drugs in your possession in Illinois, you are at immediate risk of being charged with a felony and possibly going to jail. But what if the drugs weren’t yours, maybe you were holding them for a friend? Or possibly your three-month supply of prescription medication necessary for depression was enough to classify as an illegal amount? You need a drug possession lawyer on your side immediately. Call Drummond Law at 800-842-0426 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
Our drug possession lawyer at Drummond Law knows there could be several variables at play when a police officer shows up, and we will do everything within the law to make those known. We empathize with our clients and their situations. We understand the heavy tolls of addiction and will do whatever it takes to help on the long path to recovery.
Drummond Law has over 45 years of experience successfully serving clients in Southern Illinois and throughout the Midwest. Our drug possession lawyer specializes in defending those most in need. Everyone charged with a crime deserves the best possible legal representation. We will get to the bottom of your charges, meet with you one-on-one, and work on a beneficial outcome. Call us today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online for a no-risk case review.
Drug Possession Lawyer Illinois: Drug Possession Laws at a Glance
To secure a conviction for drug possession, the prosecution must prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The defendant knew the identity of the substance in question
- That the defendant knowingly possessed the substance
- That the substance was in his/her immediate and exclusive control (either actual or constructive possession)
Although the possession of any amount of a controlled substance will sustain a conviction in Illinois, higher grades of the possession offense require greater amounts of the drug(s) involved. Therefore, to convict a defendant of a higher-level controlled substance possession offense, the prosecution must prove the weight of the drug beyond a reasonable doubt.
Drug crimes are the most common charges in the United States. Our country has over 2 million people behind bars, and one out of every 31 adults are in prison, on parole, or on probation. Approximately one-fifth of state prisoners and 55 percent of federal prisoners are incarcerated because of drug convictions. In 2020, there were 1.2 million drug arrests in the U.S., the vast majority of which (87 percent) were for drug possession or use rather than for sale or manufacturing.
Drug Possession Lawyer Illinois: Drug Possession Penalties
Drug possession typically results in a felony charge in Illinois, but which class depends on the type of drug and the amount in your possession. If you have been charged with drug possession of any amount in Illinois or anywhere in the Midwest, call a Drummond Law defense attorney for the best results in your case. Call us today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online.
The following are drug possession penalties in Illinois, according to Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/402):
Heroin Possession — Class 1 felony, punishable by up to $200,000 in fines and imprisonment as follows:
- 15g-99g: Between 4-15 years in prison
- 100g-399g: Between 6-30 years in prison
- 400g-899g: Between 8-40 years in prison
- 900g or higher: Between 10-50 years in prison
Cocaine Possession — Class 1 felony, punishable by up to $200,000 in fines and imprisonment as follows:
- 15g-99g: Between 4-15 years in prison
- 100g-399g: Between 6-30 years in prison
- 400g-899g: Between 8-40 years in prison
- 900g or higher: Between 10-50 years in prison
Morphine Possession — Class 1 felony, punishable by up to $200,000 in fines and imprisonment as follows:
- 15g-99g: Between 4-15 years in prison
- 100g-399g: Between 6-30 years in prison
- 400g-899g: Between 6-40 years in prison
- 900g or higher: Between 10-50 years in prison
LSD Possession — Class 1 felony, punishable by up to $200,000 in fines and imprisonment as follows:
- 15g-99g: Between 4-15 years in prison
- 100g-399g: Between 6-30 years in prison
- 400g-899g: Between 6-40 years in prison
- 900g or higher: Between 10-50 years in prison
Peyote Possession: 200g or more is a Class 1 felony punishable by between 4 and 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Barbituric Acid/Salts Possession: 200g or more is a Class 1 felony punishable by between 4 and 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Amphetamine Possession: 200g or more is a Class 1 felony punishable by between 4 and 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Pentazocine, Methaqualone, Phencyclidine, and Ketamine: possession of 30g or more is a Class 1 felony punishable by between 4 and 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Anabolic Steroids: possession of any amount is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in prison and up to $1,500 in fines.
Other substances not listed in statute: possession of any amount is a Class 4 felony punishable by between 1-3 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
If possession or sale of any drug is within 1,500 feet of a school, church, public park, or movie theater in Illinois, the fine and the sentence may be doubled. If the defendant was in possession of a firearm at the time of the drug arrest, the fine and the sentence may also be doubled in Illinois.
As you can see by the breakdown of Illinois’ laws, just one gram of a substance could be the difference between 8 years and 50 years in prison. If you’re facing any of these drug possession charges, you need a strong advocate in your corner, one that’s experienced in defending drug charges. Call our drug possession lawyer today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online for a no-risk, no-cost case review.
Drug Possession Lawyer Illinois | Drummond Law
If you have been charged with possession of any type or amount of drugs in Illinois or elsewhere in the Midwest, Drummond Law is the place for you to turn. Our drug possession lawyer team has you and your case at the forefront of its collective minds.
Call us today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online for a risk-free conversation with our Illinois drug possession lawyer.