Understanding Felony Drug Charges in Illinois

 Posted on August 08, 2022 in Drug Charges

A drug-related felony conviction can change your life. People with a felony drug conviction often struggle to find adequate housing, let alone a good career or educational opportunities. The “collateral consequences” of a drug-related felony are often worse than any judicial punishment. Even seemingly minor conduct involving controlled substances can lead to a felony conviction. The line between a misdemeanor and a felony is very thin when it comes to drug enforcement. Many people who are charged with a drug felony are not hardened drug dealers - they are members of the community struggling with addiction. Even possessing certain types of drugs for personal use could get you charged with a life-altering felony offense. If you are facing felony drug charges in Illinois, it is important that you are represented by an experienced and dedicated drug crimes defense attorney. 

Types of Felony Drug Charges Explained

There are three main categories of felony drug offenses in Illinois. They are:

• Possession - Possession just means that you had an illegal intoxicant on you or in a space you control, like your car or house. The precise definition of “in possession” is not always clear. If a friend leaves a substance in your car, you could be charged with possession whether you knew it was there or not. In some cases, a lawyer can have a felony simple possession charge reduced to a misdemeanor. Note that possession with intent to sell is a much more serious crime that is often charged based solely on the quantity of the substance you had. 

• Trafficking - “Trafficking” sounds like it should be applied to large-scale operations that involve literal tons of illicit substances. However, Illinois’ laws are strict. Bringing even a small amount of a drug into the state with apparent intent to process or distribute it can lead to trafficking charges. 

• Manufacture - This charge is not limited to actually producing a drug, like cooking methamphetamine. Even repackaging a drug, such as by taking a larger bag of cocaine and splitting it into several smaller bags can be called “manufacturing” in Illinois.

• Delivery - You do not need to be a drug dealer to get slapped with a delivery or distribution charge. If you and your friends are all users and you happen to be the guy who makes a pick-up, then you could be guilty of delivery the moment you start sharing the drug with your group. 

As you can see, many of Illinois’ felony drug offenses are much easier to stumble into than you may have thought. 

Get Help From a DuPage County Drug Crimes Lawyer

If you have been charged with a felony drug offense, Davi Law Group, LLC can provide you with high-quality legal representation. Our experienced Wheaton drug crimes attorneys have handled a large number of drug felonies with positive results. Call us today at 630-580-6373 to receive a free consultation. 

Source: 

https://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1941&ChapterID=53