Bolingbrook Drug Charge Lawyer

What do you do when you are arrested on drug charges in Illinois? If you have the right lawyer protecting your rights, you can fight the charges in and out of the courtroom. However, if you aren’t represented by an experienced Bolingbrook drug charge lawyer, you could end up in prison for years or even decades. The consequences of not being represented by a high-quality attorney when facing serious drug charges can’t be overstated. Between large fines, prison time, and social consequences, being convicted of a drug crime could result in a lifetime of hardship.

Just because you have been arrested, though, that doesn’t mean you need to suffer severe penalties. A skilled Bolingbrook drug crime attorney at Wolfe & Stec Ltd will fight to dismiss or reduce your charges after an arrest in Illinois.

Understanding Illinois Drug Charges

Why You Need a Bolingbrook Drug Charge Lawyer

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they are arrested for drug crimes is failing to immediately hire an Illinois criminal defense lawyer. They may believe that drug charges aren’t that serious or that they can easily get prosecutors to drop the charges. Unfortunately, that belief is misguided. The Illinois legislature and prosecutors take drug charges very seriously. If you are charged with drug crimes in Illinois, you are probably facing felony charges. This means that the penalty is more than one year in prison.

Why Drug Crime Penalties Are So Severe

In 2022, there were 1,147 fatal car accidents in Illinois. In the same year, 3,261 people died from opioid overdoses in the state, and that represents only 83% of all drug overdose deaths in the year. This means that deaths from drug overdoses are almost four times as common as fatal car accidents in Illinois. Drug abuse is an epidemic that is killing thousands per year. While the state provides medical resources, that alone isn’t enough to prevent these deaths. It also uses strict criminal regulations and enforcement to try to save lives.

That strict enforcement has unfortunate consequences. All too often, police officers arrest people who have done nothing wrong, and prosecutors apply charges that are much more serious than the actions of the accused deserve. When you are the victim of this zealousness, it can feel like the penalties are unfair.

What Are the Drug Penalties in Illinois?

If you look at the possession laws in Illinois, one thing will quickly stand out. Possession of almost every type of drug in Illinois is punished with felony charges. Possessing a few types of drugs in limited quantities, like anabolic steroids, may be charged as a misdemeanor. Typically, though, if you are charged with possession of any drug, you will be facing felony charges.

The most serious possession charges can result in fines of up to $200,000 and up to 50 years in prison. These penalties can be applied for possession of large quantities of:

• Morphine
• LSD
• Heroin
• Cocaine.

Lesser penalties apply to drugs like amphetamines and ketamine. These drugs can only be charged with up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. However, even the lightest felony penalties result in fines of up to $25,000 and prison sentences between one and three years.

Thus, the moment you are charged with possession, you are almost certainly facing a prison term of several years. These penalties all assume you are charged with simple possession. If you are charged with possession with intent to distribute, the penalties get even more severe.

Furthermore, official penalties aren’t the only penalties you will suffer if you are convicted of a felony. After being convicted, you will lose your right to possess firearms and will likely find it difficult to get a job or a bank account or to rent an apartment. Some jobs can never be held by ex-felons, and employers can legally use your criminal history to determine whether they are willing to hire you. The same is true for landlords and financial institutions when they determine whether they wish to start a financial relationship with you.

Arrested in Illinois? Don’t say a word until you have consulted with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Bolingbrook. Contact Wolfe & Stec Ltd at 630-305-0222 as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Why Choose Us?

How a Bolingbrook Drug Crime Lawyer Can Help

There is no easy way to deal with criminal charges. Typically, by the time you are arrested, the state already has enough evidence to present its case to a jury. That puts you in a difficult position. While you have the right to challenge any prosecution, how can you successfully challenge the combined power of the police and the prosecutor’s office when it already has a head start?

The drug charges attorneys at Wolfe & Stec Ltd answer that question every day. We understand Illinois law and the numerous restrictions that bind law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office. Our legal team will investigate your case and the methods that law enforcement uses during your arrest, booking, and interrogation.

If your rights were violated in any way, we will petition a judge to toss out evidence and possibly even toss out charges. At the same time, we will gather evidence that challenges the charges or mitigates them. If your case eventually goes to trial, you don’t need to convince 12 jury members that you are innocent. You just need to convince them that the evidence presented by the prosecution leaves room for reasonable doubt as to your guilt. That is a much less daunting bar to meet.

At Wolfe & Stec Ltd, we will use every tool at our disposal to keep you from facing years in prison or impossibly large fines. We understand that the majority of cases never reach trial. This is because the prosecution doesn’t have the time to try every case and rarely has the evidence it needs to justify every charge.

When possible, we will fight to get charges dismissed or reduced to something more reasonable. If we can negotiate a plea deal where you avoid any felony charges and don’t face any time in jail, that is often an ideal result. However, we don’t make these deals without your input. At Wolfe & Stec Ltd, we prioritize your needs. You tell us what results you are seeking, and we will fight to get those results.

FAQ

Drug crimes in Illinois are punished more harshly than in many other states. This means that your expectations may be inaccurate when facing drug charges. The best way to make sure you understand what to expect and how you should handle drug charges is by answering your questions early in the process. At Wolfe & Stec Ltd, we seek to answer your questions before you even think to ask them.

When should I contact a drug crime lawyer in Bolingbrook?

The best time to contact our law firm is immediately after you are arrested. You have the right to remain silent and to be represented by an attorney, but you are protected by that right only if you demand it. This means that from the moment you are arrested, you shouldn’t answer any questions except for your name and should demand to speak with a drug crimes lawyer before answering any questions. Our lawyers will meet you at the police station and talk to the police for you.

Can I get a free initial consultation?

Yes. At Wolfe & Stec Ltd, we offer a free initial legal consultation for all types of cases, including criminal defense.

How much will an Illinois drug charges lawyer cost me?

Every case is different. If your case can be resolved quickly with minimal work, you won’t be charged much. However, if you have a complicated case that requires dozens or hundreds of hours, our fee could be much higher. We will explain our fee structure during your free consultation and give you a reasonable estimate of how much your case will probably cost. Often, our fee will be less than we save you in fines and court costs.

Do I need a drug crimes attorney in Bolingbrook?

That is your decision to make. However, if you are charged with a felony and represent yourself or rely on a public defender, you are much more likely to receive prison time and hefty fines than you are if you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.

If you have additional questions regarding the specifics of your case, please ask them during your free consultation.

Contact Wolfe & Stec Ltd as Soon as Possible

Felony arrests need to be taken seriously by all parties. Our dedicated legal team gives every drug charge case the attention it deserves.

Don’t wait after getting arrested on drug charges in Illinois. Contact our law firm today at 630-305-0222 to speak to drug charge lawyers who care.