Large amounts of narcotics often come to mind when people think of a drug trafficker. The fact of the matter, however, is that the state of Illinois will charge you with trafficking even if you possessed a relatively small amount of narcotics. A conviction means jail time, fines, the inability to get a job, having a permanent criminal record, as well as other consequences. It cannot be stressed enough that one charged with trafficking should contact a lawyer immediately. Our Chicago criminal defense attorney handles such matters throughout Cook County. Contact our Orland Park office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Michael is a former prosecuting attorney who began his career trying drug and gang related cases. During this time he gained insight into how such matters are handled, typical mistakes made by law enforcement, and how to present such cases to a jury. He will bring this level of experience to your case while quickly returning your phone calls, promptly responding to emails, and making himself available to answer your questions. We strive to provide the highest level of service in each and every case we handle.
ILLINOIS DRUG TRAFFICKING LAWS
Drug trafficking occurs in Illinois when one possesses narcotics with the intention of further manufacturing or delivering them to another. Any amount of narcotics can qualify for this offense. Depending on the amount and type of drug one may either face felony charges or federal criminal charges. Common drugs included in trafficking cases include methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, marijuana, prescription medications, crack cocaine, morphine, etc. If you are charged in such a matter then you may very well be facing mandatory minimums and you should contact counsel immediately.
One will be arraigned on state or federal trafficking charges after an indictment is returned by a grand jury. In state court cases the defendant has a right to a speedy trial. This means that the case would be tried within 180 days if the defendant is out of custody and 120 days if they are incarcerated. Trafficking matters, like drug possession cases, often hinge on search and seizure issues. The police may have violated your Fourth Amendment rights when they stopped your vehicle, when they used a drug sniffing dog, or when they searched your home. If illegally obtained evidence can be excluded from Court then the trafficking charge would likely be dismissed. It is also possible to take your case to trial and argue that you did not have actual possession or control over the drugs.
GET A FREE CASE REVIEW
Michael J. Brennan is a Chicago criminal defense attorney representing those charged with drug trafficking. Michael will use your initial consultation to get your side of the story and to hear about your confrontation with the police. If your rights were violated then he will file to suppress any evidence obtained in violation of your rights. Such a request will often be followed by an evidentiary hearing at which Michael will aggressively examine the law enforcement officer. Should your matter proceed to trial then our lawyer will ensure that you are prepared for the process and present your case to the jury. This presentation will include any evidence showing that the drugs were not yours and were not in your control. You are facing a serious situation and Michael will take it seriously. Contact us today.