Attorney Gus Kostopoulos
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EXPERIENCED FORMER PROSECUTOR

20+ Years of Experience

Top-rated Drug Crimes Attorneys

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Illinois Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association

NOT GUILTY!

Domestic Violence

Aggravated Domestic Battery with a weapon, a felony and misdemeanor Domestic Battery.

CHARGES DISMISSED!

NOT GUILTY!

DUI

Client was charged with her third DUI. Gus was able to convince the court that the police violated the client’s rights.

CHARGES DISMISSED!

NOT GUILTY!

DUI

Client was charged with DUI, officer’s report indicated that client was driving erratically,

CASE DISMISSED!

NOT GUILTY!

Domestic Battery

Client was charged with Domestic Battery of a Child, the police report included photos depicting bruising.

CASE DISMISSED & EXPUNGED!

Dupage County Drug Crimes Attorney

The war on drugs is in full effect in Chicago. Prosecutors seek harsh sentences for individuals who use, sell, or manufacture controlled substances. If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug crime, call Chicago drug crimes attorney Gus Kostopoulos immediately. Gus is a former prosecutor with over 18 years experience.

Your rights to enjoy certain privileges, if convicted, may be severely limited. Hiring an experienced attorney could be the difference between dropped charges and time in jail.

Criminal Drug Matters We Handle in Chicago

At the Kostopoulos Law Group, we are dedicated to helping you fight back against any criminal drug charges that the state may file against you. With over 30 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys understand how to successfully defend you against a wide range of criminal charges. Whether you’ve been arrested for possession of a small amount of marijuana or manufacturing methamphetamine, we can help with your defense.

We have extensive experience defending clients against complex criminal drug charges, including:

Illinois Drug Crimes Laws

The Illinois drug laws relate to the possession or distribution of controlled substances. Controlled substances are:

Examples of common controlled substances include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, meth, and prescription medication. Controlled substances explicitly exclude liquor, wine, malt beverages, and tobacco.

Penalties for Drug Crimes in Chicago

Illinois is tough on drug-related crimes. If you are charged and convicted for manufacturing, selling, or using a controlled substance you can face incredibly harsh criminal penalties. The seriousness of the criminal charge and penalties that you may face will depend on the:

  1. Type of drug involved,
  2. Amount of the drug involved,
  3. Specific crime of which you have been accused, and
  4. Record of your past criminal activity.

Criminal sentences for drug crimes in Chicago can include:

  • Mandatory imprisonment or jail time
  • Fines ranging from $1,000 to $200,000
  • Court-ordered counseling and/or treatment programs
  • Probation and/or supervised release, and
  • Community service.

Once you have been convicted of a drug crime in Chicago you will have a blemish on your criminal record. This means that anytime someone runs a background check they will see evidence of your criminal past. Employers may be hesitant to offer you a job and landlords may not want you living in the neighborhood. When you have a criminal record you will also be subject to harsh collateral consequences.

Collateral consequences of a criminal record can prohibit you from:

  • Working in certain fields of employment (e.g., healthcare and education)
  • Participating in state and federal welfare programs
  • Possessing a firearm
  • Contacting or visiting certain people, and
  • Gaining or keeping custody of your children.

Common Drug Crime Charges

Possession of Controlled Substance

Under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, it is illegal to knowingly possess a controlled substance or controlled substance analog. Possession can be actual or constructive.

Actual possession requires the substance to be found on your body. This could include your pockets, up your sleeve, in a shoe, or in your hand.

Constructive possession requires the substance to be in a location you have knowledge of and the ability to access and control. Common examples of constructive possession include:

  • Drugs stashed in cars or homes of individuals who are under suspicion of possession,
  • Any drugs police find stored in the glove compartment, visor, or console of your car.

Penalties for the possession of a controlled substance vary depending on:

  • The type of controlled substance; and
  • The amount of the controlled substance in your possession.

For example, the penalties for possession of the same amount of marijuana and cocaine are drastically different. The penalty for possession of 10-30 grams of marijuana is (for a first offense) up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

The penalty for possession of the same amount of cocaine is 4-15 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000. For a comprehensive list of penalties for Illinois drug possession crimes, click here. Cook County aggressively prosecutes those accused of possession of a controlled substance. If you’re facing charges, Chicago drug crimes defense attorney Gus Kostopoulos can assist you. Contact him immediately to discuss your case.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Prohibitions on possession also extend to paraphernalia. Under the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act [720 ILCS 600], it is illegal to possess drug paraphernalia, which includes:

  • Bongs,
  • Carburetion tubes and devices,
  • Water pipes,
  • Electric pipes,
  • Cocaine spoons and vials, and
  • Needles or syringes.

Paraphernalia associated with drug use, manufacture, or distribution – such as baggies or scales – may also be punishable under the Act.

Possession of drug paraphernalia is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

Possession with Intent to Deliver

In some cases, the amount of a controlled substance found in your possession may elevate the crime to Possession with the Intent to Deliver. You can be charged with this crime even if you lack the intent to sell or deliver the drugs to another person. Chicago prosecutors may pursue elevated charges if the amount of drugs in your possession – whether actual or constructive – would be greater than that for personal use.

Possession with intent to deliver can be a misdemeanor of a felony offense, depending on the type and amount of the controlled substance in your possession. Penalties may range from 6 months and fines of $1,500 to 15 years in prison and fines of $250,000. For a comprehensive list of penalties for drug possession with intent to deliver crimes, click here. The attorneys at Kostopoulos Law Group regularly handle these types of cases. Find out how we can assist you.

Manufacturing of Controlled Substances

It is illegal to manufacture controlled substances. Charges for manufacturing drugs can be brought if the police find evidence of:

  • A drug development lab in your home or place of business;
  • A collection of chemicals and substances typically used to create a drug; or
  • Cultivating and growing plants used as or used in the creation of a drug.

Manufacturing charges, however, are dependent upon the state proving that you had both:

  • Possession of the elements necessary to create the controlled substance, and
  • Intent to create a controlled substance.

If you happen to have an interesting collection of chemicals, but lack the intent to combine them to create a drug, then the state will likely be unsuccessful in pursuing manufacturing charges against you.

Manufacturing controlled substances is a crime that law enforcement in Chicago takes very seriously. The crime is a Class X Felony, which is punishable by 6 to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. The severity of the penalty will, however, depend on the type and amount of controlled substance relevant to your specific case. For a comprehensive list of penalties for drug manufacturing crimes, click here.

Given the serious penalties, call Chicago drug crimes lawyer Gus Kostopoulos today if you’re being charged with manufacturing of a controlled substance.

Distribution and Trafficking of Controlled Substances

The actual or attempted distribution of a controlled substance is illegal. Distribution is, for the purposes of the statute, broadly defined, and includes any delivery – other than by administering or dispensing – a controlled substance. This may include:

  • selling,
  • exchanging, or
  • providing drugs to another person.

The distribution can be successful – where you the other party takes the drugs into their possession, or the distribution can be solicited but not complete. The intent to distribute a controlled substance – if proven – is enough to satisfy the charges.

Distribution is a Class X Felony, which is punishable by 6 to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. The severity of the penalty will hinge on the specific drug and amount of the sale or attempted sale.

Drug Trafficking

Trafficking is perhaps the most serious drug crime because it involves the transport of drugs into the state for sale and use. Under Section 401.1 of Illinois statute 720 ILCS 570, it is illegal to knowingly bring (or cause to be brought) controlled substances into the state of Illinois for manufacture or distribution. Regardless of whether you bring the drugs in yourself or arrange to have them brought in, trafficking is a serious offense.

Trafficking is punishable by the penalty assigned for the distribution or manufacture of the specific drug in question. It is a Class 2 Felony to use a cellular radio telecommunication device (cell phone or other similar mode of communication) to assist the trafficking of a controlled substance.

Defense to Drug Crimes Charges

Defenses to drug crimes include:

  • Lack of criminal intent
  • Lack of required knowledge
  • Lack of actual or constructive possession
  • Acting under force or duress
  • False accusations, and
  • Violations of Constitutional rights.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Chicago, but believe you are not guilty, the prosecution lacks evidence, or that evidence was obtained illegally, contact us immediately.

Contact a Chicago Drug Crimes Attorney Today

If you or someone you love has been charged with a drug crime, call Chicago drug crimes attorney Gus Kostopoulos today. As a former prosecutor, Gus understands how the prosecution builds a case against you and will use this knowledge to your advantage.

At Kostopoulos Law Group, our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of clients facing serious drug charges. We will fight to uncover the truth so that your name and future are not tarnished by a faulty criminal record.

Your Free Drug Crimes Case Evaluation

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Kostopoulos Law Group

Top-Rated Criminal Defense Law Firm in Dupage County

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