Drug-Related Cases in Chicago

The government views drug cases as serious offenses and punishes them harshly. If you are facing a drug-related case, it is important to have the right lawyer by your side.

James Dimeas has over 29 years of experience fighting drug-related cases in Chicago and the surrounding counties. He can quickly spot legal issues and use them to your advantage in court.

Possession

The possession of drugs is one of the most common offenses charged under state and local laws. Illinois uses a schedule system to classify drugs, and those found with a scheduled I drug such as cocaine can be sentenced to many years behind bars.

Police in pedestrian and traffic stops rarely find large amounts of — or even any – drugs, but often charge people with drug possession regardless. That’s a problem because over-charging for drug possession contributes to over-incarceration, especially in Illinois’ Black communities.

Thousands of people in Chicago are arrested for low-level drug possession charges, only to have judges dismiss those cases, though not before they lose jobs or their homes during arrest and jail time. That’s why it’s so important to have a knowledgeable and skilled Chicago criminal defense lawyer fighting for you. A skilled attorney may be able to get the charges dismissed, secure an acquittal at trial or negotiate a beneficial plea deal.

Sale

The sale of drugs can carry severe penalties, depending on the amount and type of drug involved. In Illinois, a conviction for drug possession or distribution could result in anything from a $50 fine to a life sentence. However, if federal law is also at play in your case, the punishment may be much more severe.

Federal authorities recently arrested a group of men who allegedly operated open-air drug markets in Chicago. The men were allegedly part of a drug pipeline that brought cocaine, heroin and fentanyl from Mexico into Northern Illinois for sale. The men face federal drug conspiracy charges, which carry mandatory minimum sentences of ten years to life in prison.

Many residents of Garfield Park are fed up with the violence associated with the open-air drug market there. They are frustrated that it takes a lot of time for local officials to address crime in their neighborhood, while other parts of the city seem to get immediate attention.

Manufacturing

Chicago’s history of drug manufacturing is long and complicated. Gideon Daniel Searle moved to Chicago from Omaha in 1890 and founded the drug company Searle & Co. This company would go on to produce such well-known drugs as Metamucil (for constipation), Dramamine (for motion sickness), and Aspartame (an artificial sweetener).

The manufacture of illegal drugs can be prosecuted under state or federal law. Under federal law, the penalties for manufacturing narcotics are harsh and include mandatory minimum sentences. Federal judges rarely deviate from the guidelines and you need an experienced attorney to help protect your rights.

Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for thoroughly testing their medications and informing doctors of any side effects that may occur. When a medication causes you serious medical complications, you can hold the manufacturer liable for your losses and damages. Contact Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC today to discuss your options for compensation. The sooner you call, the faster we can begin working on your case.

Trafficking

Chicago has a history of drug-related crime, violence and gang activities. This is partly why the city has stringent restrictions on drugs and narcotics. In general, drug offenses carry harsher penalties than non-drug offenses. Drug trafficking is an especially serious offense. This is because it involves the movement of narcotics across state lines. The substances can be moved by foot, car, plane or shipment.

As a result, federal and state drug trafficking cases are aggressively prosecuted. For example, if a defendant is found guilty of distribution, he or she may be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison. Trafficking also carries a higher fine than possession, since the penalties vary depending on the type of drug and its quantity.

The charges against the defendants alleged that they were part of a drug-trafficking organization with connections to Mexican cartels. They allegedly used local street gangs to distribute the cocaine and heroin. They allegedly used multiple “stash houses” in Chicago, including the 1700 block of North Mango Avenue, to store their drugs and cash proceeds.