Drug Possession Laws in Springfield
The Representation You Deserve
Drug offenses in Illinois may involve possession, manufacturing, delivering or possession with intent to deliver.
Attorney Marcus Schantz provides aggressive representation for those dealing with drug charges. You need a Springfield drug crime lawyer who has extensive experience and a proven track record of successful outcomes. You need Marcus Schantz.
Call Marcus Schantz at (217) 548-4433 Today for Experienced Representation
Controlled Substances
Most controlled substances (drugs) cases fall under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and the Methamphetamine Control and Community Act. There are no misdemeanor crimes for possessing small amounts of drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or pills, such as Xanax or Vicodin, without a doctor’s prescription—these are all felonies, even for very small amounts, including residue.
Possession
Possession is simply having an illegal substance, but to prove one guilty of possession, the State also must also prove the person knew they had it. For example, a car search finds a small amount of cocaine in the trunk, and the driver is arrested and charged for illegal possession. It would need to be proven at trial beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver knew the cocaine was in the trunk.
Manufacture/Delivery
Manufacturer/delivery of a controlled substance criminalizes drug manufacturing and drug dealing. These laws, however, also criminalize possession with intent to deliver. Proving intent to deliver is generally attempted through circumstantial evidence, which is a fact or set of facts that infer something else. Types of circumstantial evidence commonly used to prove intent to deliver include the quantity of the controlled substance and the presence of drug dealing materials, such as scales, baggies, weapons, large amounts of cash and other related equipment.
Confidential Sources in Drug Cases
Here in central Illinois, confidential sources are usually involved in most manufacturer/delivery cases. Confidential sources are typically convicted felons and/or drug addicts who are working for the police for money or to better their own situation, meaning they were arrested and offered to help the police build cases against other people in exchange for leniency. The police generally equip their sources with audio/video recording equipment and give them money to conduct what is called a controlled buy.
These cases are exceptionally difficult to defend because the audio/video evidence can be very damning, and the government does not have to reveal its confidential source.
Felony drug charges are not to be taken lightly. A conviction could have a dramatic impact on your life, such as, for example, preventing you from obtaining employment, housing or student loans. You need an attorney experienced in Fourth Amendment litigation who will ensure that evidence against you was obtained lawfully. You need Marcus Schantz.
Contact Marcus today for a free case evaluation, so he can help you determine the right way forward.
