Chicago, IL Drug Distribution Attorney

Skilled Lawyer Defending Against Charges of Selling or Distributing Drugs in Chicago, Illinois

There are multiple types of drug offenses that people may face in Illinois, and charges of drug distribution are among the most serious. Accusations of selling, delivering, or possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them to others can result in aggressive prosecution, and people who are convicted of these offenses may face lengthy prison sentences, steep fines, and a permanent felony record.

When you are facing accusations of drug distribution, you need a skilled drug crimes attorney who understands the high stakes of these cases. At Miranda Law Office, LTD, we can provide you with experienced legal representation, address violations of your rights, and fight to help you avoid a criminal conviction. With more than 20 years of legal experience—including working as a Cook County prosecutor—Attorney Miguel Miranda understands the best ways to challenge the prosecution's case and defend your rights.

What Is Drug Distribution?

Under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/401), it is a felony offense to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver a controlled substance. The definition of drug delivery or distribution is broad, and it may include activities such as:

• Selling drugs in exchange for money or other items of value.
• Transferring drugs to another person without payment.
• Sharing drugs at a party or providing them to friends.
• Offering or agreeing to sell or deliver drugs.
• Possessing large quantities of controlled substances that have been packaged in a way that suggests an intent to sell them.
• Operating a "stash house" or allowing others to store drugs on a person's property.

In many cases, charges of possession with intent to distribute may apply even if police did not observe an actual sale. These charges are often based on circumstantial evidence, such as large quantities of drugs, packaging materials like small baggies, scales, cash, or text messages or phone calls arranging drug transactions.

Drug Distribution vs. Drug Trafficking

The terms "distribution" and "trafficking" are sometimes used interchangeably. However, these are considered to be separate types of offenses. Drug distribution generally involves delivering or selling controlled substances within the state of Illinois. Drug trafficking, on the other hand, involves knowingly bringing controlled substances into Illinois from another state or country with the intent to deliver or manufacture them.

When drug charges involve activities that cross state lines or international borders, federal charges may apply. Drug crimes prosecuted at the federal level will often involve harsher penalties, including mandatory minimum prison sentences and fines that can be as high as hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Penalties for Drug Distribution

The penalties for drug distribution will depend on the type and quantity of the controlled substances involved in a case. Drugs that are classified as Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances, including cocaine, heroin, and LSD, are considered to be especially dangerous, and penalties for the distribution of these drugs may include:

• Distributing One to 15 Grams: This is a Class 1 felony, potentially leading to four to 15 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
• Distributing 15 to 100 Grams: This is a Class X felony, with a potential sentence of 6 to 30 years in prison and fines up to $500,000.
• Distributing 100 to 400 Grams: This is a more serious Class X felony, with the possibility of nine to 40 years in prison.
• Distributing More Than 400 grams: In cases involving higher amounts, the potential prison sentence increases, up to a maximum of 60 years.

Even though marijuana is legal in Illinois for adults 21 and over, selling cannabis without a state-issued license is a criminal offense. A person who is charged with distributing between 30 and 500 grams of marijuana may be charged with a Class 3 felony, and they could be sentenced to between two and five years in prison. Penalties increase for higher amounts, up to a maximum sentence of 30 years for the distribution of more than 5,000 grams of cannabis.

Defense Strategies for Drug Distribution Charges

At Miranda Law Office, LTD, we can help determine what defenses may be available for people who have been charged with drug distribution. We may be able to:

• Challenge Illegal Searches and Seizures: Evidence obtained through unlawful traffic stops, home searches, or wiretaps may be suppressed.
• Dispute the Intent to Distribute: Our lawyer may argue that drugs were for personal use rather than sale. This may allow charges to be reduced to drug possession, and options such as probation may be available.
• Question the Reliability of Informants or Undercover Officers: Charges may be based on entrapment or other inappropriate actions taken by law enforcement. We can help dispute the credibility of witnesses or others involved in a case.
• Challenge Forensic Evidence: It may be possible to dispute the weight or composition of the alleged controlled substances, including in situations where evidence was mishandled during lab tests.

Contact Our Chicago Drug Distribution Defense Lawyer

Because of the serious penalties for drug distribution, it is critical to work with a lawyer to protect your rights and build a strong defense against these charges. At Miranda Law Office, LTD, we can help you address accusations of selling or delivering controlled substances, and we will work to minimize the consequences that may affect you. We provide legal services in English and Spanish, and we are here to help address your needs. Contact our Chicago, IL drug distribution defense attorney at 773-588-3822 and arrange a consultation.