Illinois Controlled Substance Act
If you are unsure of the intricacies of the law, it becomes difficult to ensure that you are behaving lawfully in every aspect of your daily life. Drug laws are no exception to this. There are several elements of the Illinois Controlled Substance Act. You may have a general understanding of the law, but knowledge of what it fully entails may assist you in altering your behavior to prevent unwanted drug charges.
The Forming of the Act
On February 5, 2010, the Illinois Controlled Substance Act was put into effect. The creation of the act grants government and law enforcement officials the authority to prosecute various drug crimes. The reasoning behind creating laws was to combat the rising crime that perceived to be directly related to contraband in the community. A few of the substances that are considered controlled are:
- Marijuana,
- Cocaine,
- Methamphetamine,
- Heroin,
- Ecstasy,
- Psychedelic mushrooms,
- LSD,
- Peyote, and
- Legal medications used without authorization.
A Breakdown of the Law
This regulation is multi-faceted in that several areas related to controlled substances are all governed under the same umbrella.
- Possession: If someone knowingly has ownership or control over an illegal drug, they are guilty of possession of a controlled substance. Possession also applies if the content is discovered in something that belongs to you as well, such as your vehicle or domicile.
- Manufacture or Delivery: Manufacture is to make a drug or a controlled substance. Delivery is to distribute to others. To be guilty of this, you can either be proven to have either already manufactured or delivered, or be in possession of a substance with an intent to manufacture or deliver the substance.
- Criminal Drug Conspiracy: This is the charge when either of the other drug laws is violated between two or more people and they receive more than $500 in payment (income or items as payment).
- Controlled Substance Trafficking: When a controlled substance is brought into the state across the state line for the purpose of manufacturing or distribution, it is considered to be trafficking.
If you or someone you love has been charged with a violation of the controlled substance act, it is in your best interest to hire a reliable and proven attorney. Illinois has harsh punishments when it comes to drug laws, and the repercussions of a conviction can affect the rest of your life. If you are interested in discussing your case and defensive options with an aggressive Cook County, IL criminal defense lawyer, contact Stringini & Garvey, P.C. today at 630-834-9595 to schedule your free initial consultation. We also serve clients in Addison, Maywood, Wheaton, Rolling Meadows, Bridgeview and all surrounding Chicagoland areas.
Sources:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1941
https://www.ilpmp.org/mobile/il_csa.pdf
