Cocaine Possession Charges and How a Drug Defense Attorney Can Help
Possession of cocaine in Illinois is a serious drug offense. Even a very small amount of cocaine will result in felony charges. Go now.
Chicago criminal defense attorney James Dimeas has handled Possession of Cocaine cases in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County and Lake County for over 29 years. He can use this experience to create a strong case for you.
Bond Court
Cocaine is a dangerous controlled substance and as such is punishable by state and federal law. Possession, possession with intent to deliver and trafficking of cocaine are all serious criminal offenses punishable by fines and/or up to 50 years in prison. A skilled defense attorney can comb through all aspects of the case to see if charges arose from a flawed investigation, confidential informant misinformation or violations of your legal rights during the search or seizure of evidence.
During the Bond Court Hearing, the judge will set your Bond which can range from nothing to a large sum of money. At this point, your Chicago cocaine possession defense lawyer will start cross-examining police officers and looking for a way to get evidence suppressed. For example, if the cocaine was stashed in an officer drawer or nightstand that only you had access to, our attorneys can use this fact to prove that you did not have knowledge that the cocaine was there.
Preliminary Hearing
Possession of cocaine is a felony in Illinois, and it can impact your life significantly even if it is not a conviction. A conviction on your record can prevent you from getting jobs, loans and housing.
Unless you choose to waive it at the arraignment, your case will be scheduled for a preliminary hearing. At the hearing, the judge will hear evidence from the prosecution including police reports, witness statements and forensic lab results. He or she will also have the opportunity to cross examine witnesses.
James Dimeas will use his 29 years of experience in defending these cases to help you obtain the best possible result. He can challenge the evidence at the preliminary hearing, and try to get the charges dismissed or narrowed. He can also file motions to suppress any illegally seized narcotics. He can also argue that the police violated your constitutional rights during your stop and search. This can lead to a dismissal of the charge or favorable negotiations.
Criminal Court
A conviction for cocaine possession can have a serious impact on your life. It can cause problems when seeking employment, obtaining housing and can lead to severe criminal penalties. A Chicago drug crime lawyer can help.
Cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance in Illinois and possession of cocaine can result in felony charges depending on the amount found and other factors such as prior convictions and aggravating circumstances. A conviction can have significant consequences, including prison time and fines, that will follow you throughout your life.
Having experienced cocaine defense counsel by your side will help protect your rights and your reputation. James Dimeas will use his 29 years of experience to create a winning strategy for your case. He will fight to suppress unconstitutional searches and seizures of your property and to challenge the evidence against you. He can also file a motion to dismiss the charge in the event that the police violated your rights.
Post-Conviction
Cocaine possession charges can lead to severe consequences including prison time, fines and a criminal record. The good news is that a skilled Chicago drug defense lawyer may be able to help you navigate the legal process, explore your options and protect your rights.
A skillful attorney can also challenge the state’s ability to prove actual or constructive possession. For example, if the police find cocaine in your desk drawer or nightstand next to your bed, they must show that you knew that it was there and that it was yours. This is a difficult task, especially in cases where the drugs are not out in the open.
James Dimeas has handled thousands of Possession of Cocaine cases throughout Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County and Lake County for over 29 years. This experience has given him the knowledge to spot unconstitutional actions by police and file the necessary and proper motions to get evidence thrown out and your case dismissed.
