Illinois’ Controlled Substances Act makes possessing, manufacturing, and trafficking illegal and controlled substances a serious crime. If you are facing charges of drug possession, manufacturing, or trafficking in Illinois, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.
Possession of some drugs alone can be charged as a felony, and result in up to 15 years in prison and $25,000 in fines. The best way to avoid these harsh and life-altering penalties is to avoid being convicted. It is important to understand that just because you have been charged with this crime, it does not mean that you will be convicted. This is your time to be proactive and do everything that you can to overcome the charges against you. The best way to do this is to hire an attorney.
Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, there may be a number of defenses available to you. The best defense in your particular case depends on the specifics of it, so it is best to consult with an attorney who can thoroughly review the facts and then develop a strong legal defense and clear course of action. In some cases, it may even be possible to have the charges against you dropped completely. This can happen when the drugs were found as the result of an illegal search and seizure, or when procedural issues (such as neglecting to Mirandize you) were made during your arrest.
Looking at Drug Dealing in the Model Family
Looking at our model family, they likely look very happy and successful from the outside, with two parents who are professionally successful, and two high-school aged children who have had great track records with regard to sports, extra-curricular activities, and grades. However, with the parents’ marriage secretly on the rocks, both adults have been spending more time out of the house, trusting their teenage children to be responsible. Instead, the children have started spiraling out of control. Their son has been hosting drug- and alcohol-fueled parties while they are out of the house, and recently got in a DUI which resulted in a fatality. Their daughter, who is only 15 years old, has gotten caught up using Oxycontin and Heroin, and rumors have been circulating that she is also dealing Oxy to students at her school.
Penalties for Dealing Oxycontin
In the event that our model daughter is arrested in possession of Oxy and does not have a valid prescription, she will be charged with possession of a controlled substance. Oxy is a Schedule II controlled substance, and possessing it is a Class 2 Felony. This means that just having the Oxy in her possession is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. If she is additionally charged with selling or trafficking the Xanax, she is facing double that sentence, and potentially more depending on the amount. Because she is a juvenile and has a clean criminal history, it is possible that there will be alternatives to jail time available to her, such as through TASC Probation. TASC stands for Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities. A lawyer will be critical in trying to work out an alternative penalty, such as TASC, mental health court, or a deferred sentence, for her to keep her out of jail and other serious trouble.
Contact Glasgow & Olsson
If you or your child are facing charges for possession of a controlled substance in Illinois, our lawyers are ready to help. Contact the criminal defense lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson today to schedule a consultation.