Buffalo Grove, IL Heroin Possession Defense Attorney

Dedicated Criminal Lawyer for Those Charged with Heroin Possession in Lake County

If you have been charged with heroin possession, or a similar drug crime, you may be justifiably anxious and worried about your future. Because the state of Illinois provides harsh penalties and long-term consequences for those convicted of heroin possession, these concerns and fears are understandable. Heroin has seen a serious surge in usage since the late 1970s, and many believe it is back with a vengeance.

In any case, the more dangerous and addictive the drug, the harsher the penalties tend to be. With stakes this high, it is critical that you proceed carefully with the guidance of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney such as Matthew R. Gebhardt. Our Lake County heroin possession defense lawyer has over 20 years' experience helping those in trouble, along with the added skills derived from spending time as a prosecutor.

Illinois Penalties Associated With a Conviction for Heroin Possession

If you are arrested for possession of heroin in the suburbs of Chicago, you could be charged with a felony, even for relatively small quantities. For instance, if you are in possession of 0.2 grams of heroin, you could face felony charges and could be charged with either a state or federal drug crime. In addition to the following penalties, you could face property forfeiture and/or felony probation.

• You could face fines up to $200,000 and four to 15 years in an Illinois state prison for possession of 15-100 grams of heroin.
• You could face fines up to $200,000 (or the street value of the drugs in your possession) and six to 30 years in an Illinois state prison for possession of 100-400 grams of heroin.
• You could face fines up to $200,000 (or the street value of the drugs in your possession) and eight to 40 years in an Illinois state prison for possession of 400-900 grams of heroin.
• You could face fines up to $200,000 (or the street value of the drugs in your possession) and 10 to 50 years in an Illinois state prison for possession of 900 or more grams of heroin.

If your alleged crime occurred within 1,000 feet of a school, church, movie theater, or public park, your prison time and fines could be doubled should you be convicted. If you were found to be in possession of a firearm, your fines and prison time could also be doubled in the event of a conviction.

Further Consequences of a Heroin Possession Conviction in the Chicago Suburbs

As if the above penalties were not intimidating enough, you could also experience other long-term consequences if you are convicted for heroin possession. A criminal record can affect far more than the case itself.

Depending on the conviction, a person could face difficulty finding employment, trouble renting a home, or barriers to obtaining a professional license or security clearance. Ineligibility for college financial aid is another possible consequence, along with the loss of the right to vote or own a firearm. Some convictions can also lead to adverse immigration consequences. The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. understands the serious nature of heroin possession charges, and when an acquittal is not a possibility, we will pursue options which emphasize drug treatment and rehabilitation over incarceration.

Defense Strategies for Your Heroin Possession Charges

Lake County heroin possession defense lawyer Matthew R. Gebhardt has more than two decades of legal experience; he understands the myriad of evidentiary issues, violations of your constitutional rights and improper police procedures which can be the basis for an effective defense on your behalf. Our law firm will aggressively challenge the search of your home, vehicle, or person and, when applicable, will use the following defenses to your advantage:

• You were unaware of the presence of the drugs, or lacked the ability to exercise control over the heroin.
• You were not properly Mirandized and made incriminating statements that may be excluded.
• There are issues associated with the chain of custody, or there were lab errors involved in testing the heroin.

Meet With a Buffalo Grove, Illinois Heroin Possession Defense Lawyer

The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. can handle your heroin charges by focusing resources and efforts on your future and your rights. We offer a free confidential consultation during which we will thoroughly assess your situation, answer your questions, and explain your rights. Contact our Buffalo Grove heroin possession defense attorney or call 847-239-4703 to set up a free consultation.