Ecstasy is often known as a party drug, but it is a substance that is illegal under Illinois’ drug laws. It also carries some of the harshest penalties for those convicted. The drug was blamed for causing an epidemic in Illinois in 2002, as it was said to have been responsible for a number of teenage deaths. It has also been called a growing threat to youth all around the country. It is because ecstasy is considered so dangerous that law enforcement and the prosecution here in Illinois take it so seriously.

Anyone accused of ecstasy possession should understand what penalties they are facing if they are convicted, and the importance of speaking to an Illinois criminal defense lawyer.

What Is Ecstasy?

When most people think of criminal drug charges, they often think of those relating to hard street drugs, such as cocaine, meth, and heroin. However, did you know that even if you have a prescription for a drug, you could still face criminal charges under certain circumstances?

In Illinois, there are many offenses associated with prescription drugs, and many residents are not aware of that fact. For this reason, too many people are charged by overzealous law enforcement. When they are, they often do not know what to do. The first step to take is to speak to a Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney.

Illinois Law on Prescription Drugs

Illinois has very strict laws surrounding drugs. Anyone convicted of committing an offense outlined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act is subject to harsh penalties, no matter where they are at the time. However, location matters when charged with a drug crime. Like many other states, Illinois has drug-free zones. This means anyone caught committing a drug crime in these zones will face increased penalties, which may include several decades in jail.

Drug-free zones are highly controversial, and many states are considering removing these zones from their statutes. Unfortunately, Illinois has not yet made any such proposal to change their legislation.

How Drug-Free Zones Work

A Du Quoin man was found in possession of a small amount of heroin in early April. That was a violation of his parole and he was sent back to the Illinois Department of Corrections to serve out the rest of his sentence on previous charges.

Heroin possession is considered one of the most serious drug crimes in Illinois. Those convicted will have a criminal record for the rest of their life and could face several years in prison, as well as extremely high fines. While the penalties for heroin possession are extremely harsh within the state, a criminal defense lawyer can help those charged and give them the best chance of a successful outcome in court.

Illinois Law on Heroin

The drug laws in Rolling Meadows and throughout Illinois are often confusing, and the line between a misdemeanor drug charge and a felony charge can become blurred. Most of the time, the charge that is laid depends on the scenario surrounding the alleged crime.

There are instances though, in which a drug crime is automatically a felony. Typically a harsher charge is laid when there are large volumes of a controlled substance involved, or when the crime includes certain substances. LSD, cocaine, and heroin are a few drugs that automatically make a crime a felony. Methamphetamine, or meth, is another.

Methamphetamine Laws in Rolling Meadows