Possession

Drug possession arrests remain common in Chicago and throughout Cook County. Being convicted of this offense can have a dramatic impact on your life even though many view it as a “victimless crime.” Consequences can include jail time, a permanent criminal record, disqualification from many forms of employment, and more. If you have been arrested for possessing a controlled substance then it cannot be stressed enough that you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Our Chicago lawyer handles such matters in Cook County and elsewhere in Illinois.

Orland Park Drug Possession lawyer Michael is a former State’s Attorney who began his career by prosecuting drug and gang related cases. With over thirty years of legal experience he has presented many cases to juries, has gained an understanding of how police and law enforcement handle such matters, and brings this knowledge to each and every case he handles. Michael does so while promptly returning phone calls, quickly responding to emails, and making himself available to answer questions. He prides himself on the service he provides and is ready to assist you.

ILLINOIS DRUG POSSESSION LAWS

Illinois divides controlled substances into “schedules” of drugs. The more dangerous and addictive a drug is then the higher the schedule into which it is placed. The penalties associated with a particular drug will depend on the schedule it is in along with the amount one had control over. Possessing a schedule I drug (such as methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine) will result in felony charges regardless of the amount. Possessing smaller amounts of a lower schedule drug, such as anabolic steroids, can be charged as a Class C misdemeanor. Possessing larger amounts of a narcotic can also lead to drug trafficking charges.

Misdemeanor possession cases will be hearing in the Municipal Court. Felony matters will be heard in the Circuit Court after an Indictment has been issued or a preliminary hearing has been held. At your arraignment you will enter a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty.” Such cases often hinge on whether the police found the narcotics by violating the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. If such a violation occurred then it may be possible to have the evidence excluded from Court, which would effectively end the case. If suppressing the evidence is not an option then you may defend yourself by establishing that the drugs were not yours and you did not realize you were in possession of them. Hiring an attorney to assist you with such matters is crucial.

GET A FREE CASE REVIEW

Michael J. Brennan is a Chicago criminal defense attorney handling drug possession cases in Cook County and elsewhere in Illinois. Michael will use your initial consultation to hear your side of the story and learn how you were stopped by police. Once he obtains the arrest reports, witness statements, and other evidence then he will file to suppress any illegally seized narcotics so that they may not be used in Court proceedings. If necessary he will take your case to trial and argue to the jury that you never actually possessed the narcotics or that you were not aware you were in possession of them, depending on the situation. You are facing a serious matter and our lawyer will take it seriously. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.