Woodridge Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Our Drug Defense Lawyer Can Help

Drug trafficking and distribution – the selling, transportation, or illegal import of unlawful controlled substances and illegal drugs — are serious crimes, and the penalties are severe.  The government can seize property and assets it believes were acquired with the proceeds from illegal drug activity.  Even worse, under Illinois law, anyone convicted of drug trafficking and distribution can be faced with a stiff prison sentence and wind up with a criminal record that remains for a lifetime, affecting opportunities for employment, education, housing, and other benefits.  Federal statutes may also come into play, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) may take over a drug trafficking case if there is a suspicion that the controlled substance has been moved into Illinois from another state or country.

Because of the potential of harm to others, drug trafficking is punished more severely than mere possession.  The Illinois Controlled Substances Act states its intention to “penalize most heavily the illicit traffickers or profiteers of controlled substances, who propagate and perpetuate the abuse of such substances with reckless disregard for its consumptive consequences upon every element of society.”

If you have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking and distribution, or even if you are being investigated for such an offense, you need the help of a criminal defense attorney experienced with these types of charges. The Woodridge drug defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. know criminal laws, the courts, prosecutors and the system and are fully prepared to fight for your rights and freedom.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the circumstances of your situation and determine the best way to help win your case or get your charges and penalties significantly reduced. Call us today to get started building your defense.

Don’t delay.  Your life and your future are at stake.

How Our Drug Trafficking Defense Attorney Works for You

The experienced drug trafficking defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., understand how serious any criminal charges are and offer aggressive representation for our clients.

When you have us on your side, we will:

• Meet with you to hear your story and listen to why you were charged with a drug trafficking crime
• Investigate your case and gather evidence such as surveillance photos and videos, financial records and documents, and interviews with witnesses
• Utilize qualified experts in forensic accounting and investigation in order to evaluate and analyze all information and formulate the strongest defense strategy
• Review discovery materials and look for flaws in the state’s case and mistakes made by prosecutors
• Prepare you to go to court and prevent you from saying or doing anything that would hurt your case
• Make sure all forms are filed correctly and court appearances are made in a timely manner
• Negotiate and plea bargain for a lesser charge or dismissal
• Take your case to court, handle all aspects of preparing your defense, and litigate aggressively on your behalf
• File any appeals if necessary.

Our drug trafficking legal team will investigate the circumstances of your case and gather information quickly and thoroughly.

Based on the facts, we make a decision about the best legal strategy and start taking steps to build your defense based your unique circumstances.

Drug Trafficking vs. Distribution

What Is Considered Drug Trafficking/Distribution?

Drug trafficking and distribution are often charged together. A drug trafficking charge involves the weight and amount of the drugs you are found to possess, while a drug distribution charge involves the movement of the drugs.

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) places all substances which were in some manner regulated under existing federal law into one of five schedules, based upon the substance’s medical use, potential for abuse, and safety or risk of dependence. The Act states that controlled substance trafficking occurs when a person knowingly brings or causes to be brought into Illinois a controlled or counterfeit substance for the purpose of manufacture or delivery, or with the intent to manufacture or deliver such substance within the state or to any other state or country. Drug trafficking charges depend upon the weight and amount of drugs in your possession, and this differs depending on the type of drug. Anytime you possess an amount of drugs over the trafficking limit for that substance, you can be charged with drug trafficking.

Drug trafficking is dealt with more severely than possession of drugs. If you’ve been arrested with controlled substances and drugs, you may be charged with the more serious crime of drug trafficking if police believe you intend to sell them. You may also be charged with drug distribution or trafficking if you are found with a large amount of drugs or cash. This applies to drugs such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, and methamphetamines, but also to the illegal distribution of prescription drugs, such as hydrocodone products, pain killers and pharmaceutical opiates.

What Are Controlled Substances?

When a state or federal government classifies a substance as “controlled,” it generally means that the use and distribution of the substance is governed by law. Controlled substances are often classified in “schedules” under federal and state statutes, and this classification may be different in each case.

Illinois law classifies drugs from Schedule I to Schedule V according to factors such as the potential for abuse and whether the drug has any medical uses.  Schedule V controlled substances are considered the least dangerous, while Schedule I drugs are considered most dangerous.

Illegal controlled substances listed in Schedules I and II include: opiates, opium derivatives (such as heroin), hallucinogenic substances (such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)), and substances having a depressant or stimulant effect on the central nervous system.

See https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1941&ChapterID=53  for a complete list of drugs and their classifications.

What Are Penalties And Sentences For Trafficking?

The Illinois Controlled Substances Act imposes harsh penalties on those convicted of controlled substance trafficking. A person must serve a mandatory minimum sentence and cannot be released on parole until that time has passed. If convicted, you will be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twice the minimum term for possession, plus a fine.  The maximum term of imprisonment could be twice the maximum term for possession, plus a fine.

Penalties for controlled-substance possession, manufacturing and delivery offenses range in seriousness from a low of a Class 3 felony (that has a base sentence of 2-5 years and if the crime is extended-term eligible, it can be 5-10 years) to a high of a Class X felony (30 to 120 years in prison).  Fines for trafficking for Class X could range from $75,000 to $1,000,000.

What are Defenses for Drug Trafficking and Distribution?

There are several defenses attorneys may use against drug trafficking/distribution charges.  For you to be convicted, it must be shown that you possessed the required amount of the illegal drugs and that your possession was intentional. The prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a defendant (1) knowingly (2) brought a controlled substance into the state (3) for the purpose of delivery or with the intent to deliver it elsewhere. This must be proved for bringing of the controlled substance into Illinois as well as for the goal of its delivery within or outside of the state.

Therefore, you may have a good chance against the charges if one of the following can be shown:

• You had lack of knowledge of what you were doing.
• You are under 13 years old.
• You are deemed insane.
• You were under duress or compulsion.
• You can prove entrapment.
• You were not read your Miranda rights or other rights were violated.
• There was an error made by police or prosecutors in handling your case or in the chain of custody of evidence.

Our drug trafficking and distribution lawyers have the experience to know what to look for in order to build the best defense for your case. We know how to negotiate with the state and when to plea bargain to have your charges lowered or dropped. We always have your best interests at heart and will fight for your rights and freedom.

Call Our Drug Defense Lawyer for Help

The criminal defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. are skilled trial lawyers who believe each case is unique, with its own set of circumstances. We know that drug trafficking and distribution offenses are pursued aggressively by both state and federal prosecutors and may have lengthy prison sentences attached. In addition, convictions can bring steep fines, as well as the loss of reputation and standing in the community that will damage your life well into the future.

If you have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking and distribution, you need the help of a criminal defense attorney experienced with these types of charges. The DuPage County drug defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. offer effective strategies to protect your rights and will thoroughly investigate your case to gather facts and aggressively explore every avenue for your defense.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the circumstances of your situation and determine the best way to help win your case or get your charges and penalties significantly reduced. Call us today to get started building your defense.

Don’t delay — contact us for help today if you have been accused of any drug charges.

Our Illinois drug crimes lawyers represent clients in DuPage County, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, Illinois.