Skokie Drug Crimes

Fight a Skokie Controlled Substance Charge with a Powerful Defense

Family-friendly, green-friendly, and just 15 miles north of downtown Chicago, Skokie has been hailed as one of the country’s top places to live. Nicknamed the “world’s largest village,” Skokie is known for its top-notch education system and suburban charm.

However, while this quaint community boasts crime rates that are 20 percent lower than the national average, the village is not without its problems. The town’s close proximity to Chicago — a hub for organized crime and street gangs — means that Skokie sees a steady supply of drugs from international cartels. 

Determined to clean up its reputation and make the city safer for residents, law enforcement and prosecutors in Skokie are notoriously tough on drug crimes. If you have been charged with an offense involving narcotics — including the manufacture, possession, distribution, or trafficking of these substances — you have a tough road ahead of you. 

The good news? While fighting a Skokie drug charge is tough, it is not impossible with the right lawyer. This is where Skokie defense lawyer Sami Azhari comes in.

Over the years, he has helped local clients battle drug charges large and small, earning a reputation for his fearlessness, tenacity, and resourcefulness both inside and outside of the courtroom. With the help of this nationally acclaimed attorney, you will be in the best position possible to have your drug crime charges reduced or dismissed — and may even be able to halt the process before charges are ever filed against you.  

What You Need to Know About Skokie Drug Crime Charges

All states have rules that regulate and control the possession of controlled substances, but Illinois is notorious for being particularly strict. In our state, narcotics like cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamine are recognized as dangerous and illegal, as are the compounds used to make them. 

Our state’s controlled substance laws get more complicated when it comes to marijuana. Even though our state has legalized marijuana for recreational adult use, violations of our state’s Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act are taken very seriously. Things become particularly murky when you take into account the fact that the federal government still considers marijuana to be illegal. 

Navigating our state’s controlled substance laws can be as daunting as it is confusing. If you are facing controlled substance charges in Skokie, we encourage you to get in touch with a skilled criminal attorney who is experienced in navigating the state’s laws and penalties surrounding different types of drugs. 

How Illinois Categorizes Different Controlled Substances

Our state categorizes drugs into five different “schedules,” with Schedule I drugs considered the most dangerous. This is due to their high potential for abuse and because they have no approved medical use.

Below, we have broken down the five different Illinois drug schedules and listed examples of the different types of controlled substances that fall into each. 

• Schedule I drugs. These are drugs considered to have the highest potential for abuse and have no approved medical use. Examples of Schedule I drugs include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana, ecstasy, methaqualone, and peyote.

• Schedule II drugs. These are drugs considered to have a high potential for abuse, but do have approved medical use in very limited situations. Examples of Schedule II drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, opium, fentanyl, methadone, meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), Adderall, and Ritalin.

• • Schedule III drugs. These are drugs considered to have a moderate to low potential for abuse and have approved medical use in certain situations. Examples of Schedule III drugs include codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and suboxone (buprenorphine). 
  • Schedule IV drugs. These are drugs considered to have a low potential for abuse and have approved medical use. Examples of Schedule IV drugs include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion). 

• Schedule V drugs. These are drugs considered to have the lowest potential for abuse and have a widely approved medical use. Many substances are only recognized as Schedule V drugs because they are sometimes mixed with addictive narcotics. Examples of Schedule V drugs include prescription medications containing less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters, prescription medications containing not more than 200 milligrams of opium per 100 grams, and ezogabine.

Regardless of the schedule, criminal offenses involving any type of controlled substance are handled as very serious crimes in Skokie and the rest of Illinois. The manufacture, possession, distribution, or trafficking of Schedule I, II, III, IV, or IV drugs without a prescription or license may result in felony criminal drug charges and steep penalties. 

The Different Types of Controlled Substance Crimes in Skokie

In addition to the drug schedule, Illinois courts consider the type of drug crime when determining the severity of sentencing and punishment. 

In our state, you can be charged with a number of different types of drug crimes, including: 

• Possession. The most common type of drug crime, simple possession occurs when you knowingly possess a controlled substance, cannot provide a prescription, and have an adequate amount for personal use. If you possess more than a certain amount, you could be also be charged with possession with intent to sell.  
• Manufacturing or cultivating. You can be charged with manufacturing if you are found to be producing a drug like meth or ecstasy using a chemical process. Alternatively, you could be charged with cultivating if you are found illegally growing an illegal substance. 
• Trafficking. One of the most serious types of drug crimes, trafficking involves the unlawful distribution and sale of a controlled substance. You may be charged with trafficking if you are found with a certain quantity of a controlled substance. This charge may become more serious depending on the location where you were found with the drug, as well as the intended customer. 

Do Not Delay: Contact Sam Azhari for Skokie Controlled Substance Defense 

When it comes to drug charges, time is of the essence. If you have been arrested and/or charged with a controlled substance-related crime, we urge you to get in touch with Sami Azhari today. 

To set up a free initial consultation with Mr. Azhari, you can contact him directly via email at sazhari@azharillc.com or complete an online case evaluation form. Alternatively, you can reach our office in Chicago at (312) 626-2871,  Rolling Meadows at (847) 255-2100, or right in Skokie at (847) 655-1702.