Buffalo Grove, IL Drug Paraphernalia Defense Attorney

Dedicated Lawyer for Fighting Paraphernalia Charges in Lake County, Illinois

Are you facing drug paraphernalia charges in the Chicago suburbs? If so, contact The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. right away for experienced legal help. Our Buffalo Grove, Illinois drug paraphernalia defense lawyer is dedicated to successfully representing you against these charges, and will aggressively defend you throughout your case.

Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt, a former criminal prosecutor, has spent over two decades practicing Illinois criminal law. He puts that experience to use for each client, and approaches every case with the client's needs and goals in mind. We tackle every case with a client-centered approach, and Attorney Gebhardt will directly communicate with you any time to address your questions and concerns.

Defending Against Drug Paraphernalia Charges in Lake County

Illinois prosecutors take every drug charge seriously, including drug paraphernalia charges. Regardless of the type of equipment, if you knowingly possess or sell drug paraphernalia, you could face criminal charges. State law defines drug paraphernalia as all equipment, products, and materials used to manufacture, produce, conceal or consume drugs. Under this definition, paraphernalia includes:

• Bongs
• Pipes
• Syringes
• Vials
• Roach clips
• Baggies
• PCP foil wrappers
• Kits
• Grinders

These are just a few common types of drug paraphernalia involved in paraphernalia criminal cases. Generally, possessing drug paraphernalia is categorized as a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois. For a first-time conviction, a defendant may be sentenced to steep fines. However, a defendant with multiple prior convictions may face jail time for a drug paraphernalia conviction. Often, drug paraphernalia charges may be compounded with drug possession or distribution charges. An experienced Cook County drug defense lawyer like Matthew R. Gebhardt can analyze your case and determine the best legal strategy for you.

Challenging the State's Case in Paraphernalia Charges

Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt has spent over two decades handling drug cases, first as a prosecutor and now as a criminal defense attorney. He uses knowledge gained as a prosecutor to find weaknesses in the case against you. For example, Attorney Gebhardt will closely examine the facts surrounding your arrest:

• Did the police have probable cause or a warrant to seize the drug paraphernalia?
• Did the police violate your constitutional rights?
• Can any of the evidence against you be thrown out?

Matthew R. Gebhardt knows how to find out the answers to these questions, and will use the answers for your benefit. Above all, his goal is to successfully defend you. If the charges against you cannot be dismissed, Attorney Gebhardt will seek alternative legal strategies designed to lower the charges against you or reduce any criminal penalties.

Do Police Need a Warrant to Search for Drug Paraphernalia in Illinois?

In most cases, police need a warrant to search a person's home, vehicle, or belongings for drug paraphernalia. However, several exceptions can allow officers to search without one. If an officer sees paraphernalia in plain view during a lawful stop, no warrant is required to seize it. Consent is another common exception, since a person can voluntarily allow a search without the police needing a warrant.

Officers can also search without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe evidence will be destroyed, or if the search happens during a lawful arrest. If a search does not fall under a recognized exception, any evidence found may be challenged in court. Our attorney can review the details of the search to determine whether it followed the law.

Contact a Buffalo Grove Drug Paraphernalia Lawyer Now

A conviction for drug paraphernalia charges has serious potential consequences, both for your present and future. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we understand your situation, and will do everything we can to protect your rights. Contact our Buffalo Grove, IL drug paraphernalia defense attorney or call 847-239-4703 now to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with an experienced, reputable lawyer.