According to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, a person arrested for possession of certain illegal drugs in the state may face felony charges. This is true even if it is their first offense. However, in Illinois, some defendants may be eligible for 410 Probation. This can allow those facing possession charges to avoid jail time. Few are aware though, of how 410 Probation works in Illinois.

Felony Possession Charges in Illinois

Not every possession charge will be considered a felony in Illinois. In order to be facing felony charges, a person must have been in possession of:

• 15 grams or more of LSD, morphine, heroin, or cocaine;
• 30 grams of more of pentazocine, ketamine, or methaqualone; or
• 200 grams or more of amphetamines, peyote, or barbituric acid.

The most minor of these charges can result in a Class 1 felony charge. If convicted, an individual may face four4 to 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. However, individuals that are facing a first offense for felony drug charges may be eligible for 410 Probation.

Probation, not to be confused with parole, is a court ordered sanction that can be imposed on some criminal offenders as an alternative to incarceration. Probation affords an offender who has demonstrated a willingness to rehabilitate himself or herselfthe opportunity to remain a member of the community (and to stay out of jail) so long as he or shestrictly complies with the conditions of his or herprobation.

In Illinois, probation conditions vary from offender to offender and case to case but often include:

• A curfew;
• Mandatory participation in rehabilitation programs and/or counseling;
• Prohibition on consuming drugs and alcohol;
• Drug testing;
• Paying restitution, attorneys fees, and/or fines;
• Completing community service;
• Staying within the state unless granted permission to leave;
• Diligently searching for a job;
• Leaving the victim(s) of the crime alone;
• Reporting to a probation officer; and/or
• Prohibition on possessing weapons.

In Illinois, each and every court ordered condition of probation is very important as violating just one of them means that the offender is in violation of probation.