It is true that American attitudes are changing towards marijuana. The fact remains, however, that it is illegal in Illinois. Your personal opinions about the drug do not matter. If you are convicted for possession then you will have a permanent criminal record. Such a conviction can result in your serving jail time, paying fines, being disqualified from employment, and having to explain yourself during background checks. It is crucial that you retain defense counsel if you have been charged. I am a Peoria criminal defense lawyer who defend clients against marijuana related arrests. If you require an attorney then contact my office today for a consultation.
Peoria attorney defending Illinois residents charged with marijuana possession
Marijuana possession can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. Illinois defendants arrested with the drug can face the following charges and penalties:
- A Class “C” misdemeanor for possessing up to 2.5 grams
- A Class “B” misdemeanor for possessing between 2.5 and 10 grams
- A Class “A” misdemeanor for possessing between 10 and 30 grams
- A class 4 felony for possessing 30-500 grams
- Class 3 felony charges possessing 500-2,000 grams
- Class 2 felony charges for possessing 2,000 – 5,000 grams
- Class 1 charges for any amount over 5,000 grams
It must also be understood that anyone who is caught with a large amount of marijuana is likely to face drug trafficking charges. In other words, one caught with weed should not make the mistake of thinking “it was just a little pot.”
The first step in a drug possession case is to attend an arraignment. The defendant will then enter a not guilty plea or they will enter into an agreement with the prosecutor. If a not guilty plea is entered then a trial date will be set. Before the trial date, if the facts warrant it, one’s attorney will file Motions with the Court requesting that evidence seized by police be excluded if the seizure violated the defendant’s Fourth or Fifth Amendment rights. Many drug cases hinge on such search and seizure issues. If the request is granted then the case may be dismissed. If the Motion is denied then the defendant will have options at trial. This process is complicated and impacts your future. You should retain qualified counsel to assist you.
I am a Peoria criminal defense attorney handling marijuana charges. I will use your initial consultation to hear your side of the story, to understand whether police possibly violated your rights, and to help you know what to expect from the process. I will quickly acquire the arrest reports, witness statements, and other discovery. I will file a Motion to Suppress evidence if law enforcement violated your rights and will aggressively examine the police officers during an evidentiary hearing. If necessary I will take your case to trial. You are facing a serious situation and I will take it seriously. Contact my office today.
In addition to Peoria, I service the cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington. I also serve the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. I also handle federal cases in Urbana.
Peoria attorney providing quality service to those facing marijuana charges
One of the most common complaints against attorneys is that they do not stay in contact with their clients. I strive to be different from the norm. I regularly provide clients with my cell phone number, can be reached via text message, and makes myself available to answer questions or concerns. My office is founded on the idea that everyone is entitled to respect and this is our approach in each and every case I handle.