Category Archives: drug crimes

DRUG CRIMES WITHIN 500 FEET OF A CHURCH IN ILLINOIS

You were in an alley making a deal when the police arrived and charged you with delivering drugs. You thought you could cope with the misdemeanor, but it turns out you were within 500 feet of a church. Because of … Continue reading

Posted in aggravated drug offense, church, drug charges, drug crimes, religious building | Leave a comment

CAN POLICE USE A NARCOTICS DOG TO SNIFF OUTSIDE YOUR HOME IN ILLINOIS?

If you’re stopped while driving a car, the police can use a dog to sniff for drugs around your car provided the search does not unduly prolong the traffic stop. But can the police use a dog to sniff around … Continue reading

Posted in dog sniff, drug charges, drug crimes, drug offense, drug possession, illegal searches, narcotics dog, possession of drugs, search and seizure | Leave a comment

FROM BAD TO WORSE: AGGRAVATING FACTORS FOR DRUG DEALING CRIMES IN ILLINOIS

In Illinois, the penalties for knowingly manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance can be stiff enough. But selling drugs to the wrong person or in the wrong place can make a bad situation worse–in some … Continue reading

Posted in controlled substance, delivering drugs, drug crimes, drug dealing, drug offenses, drugs, narcotic offenses, narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver | Leave a comment

“IT’S JUST FOR ME.”: THE CRIME OF POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN ILLINOIS

Illinois law is geared toward punishing the big-time drug trafficker more than the small-time user. Nevertheless, it is a crime to knowingly possess a controlled substance, and the penalties can be quite severe. What can happen to you? What can … Continue reading

Posted in barbiturates. amphetamine, cocaine, drug crimes, drug offenses, drugs, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, morphine, narcotics, narcotics offenses, peyote, possession of a controlled substance | Leave a comment

NEW HOPE FOR ILLINOIS FIRST-TIME FELONY DEFENDANTS: THE OFFENDER INITIATIVE PROGRAM

You’ve never been in trouble before. It’s bad enough you were arrested, but even worse, your first offense is a felony. Maybe it was for shoplifting or taking drugs, something that you swear you would never do again. Fortunately, Illinois … Continue reading

Posted in Chicago felony, Class 1 Felony, drug crimes, felony, first offender, first time felony, narcotic offenses, retail theft, shoplifting | Leave a comment

LOOK-ALIKE DRUGS: A FELONY IN ILLINOIS

The drug you sold looked like crack, but it wasn’t. Nonetheless, after you sold it to the undercover cop, you were charged with a Class 3 Felony. What is a look-alike drug? What can happen to you? What can you … Continue reading

Posted in drug crimes, drug dealing, drug offenses, drugs, look-alike drugs, narcotic offenses, narcotics | Leave a comment

MY GIRLFRIEND LET THEM IN! WHEN A VISITOR LETS POLICE SEARCH YOUR HOME

You had some errands to run so you left your house. Your girlfriend often stays with you. She even has a key. Or maybe it was a visiting relative or a housekeeper or someone who watches your child. In any … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, arrest warrant, consent to search, drug crimes, drug dealing, narcotics, search, warrantless search | Leave a comment

NEW ILLINOIS LAW MAKES RECORDING DRUG CRIMES EASIER

Generally speaking, before undercover police can record their dealings with you, they must persuade a judge to issue a warrant. But a new Illinois law just made that process a little faster and easier. For certain crimes, police need only … Continue reading

Posted in dealers, drug crimes, drug dealing, drug offense, narcotics, warrantless search, wiretapping | Leave a comment