Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Opium and its byproduct, heroin, are severe issues in the Chicago area. They are not only the central reason for entering publicly funded drug treatment, but they also play a role in a majority of crimes, such as burglary and even involuntary manslaughter (from overdoses). To improve public safety, Chicago police and prosecutors therefore put greater weight on opium crimes by giving offenders harsher sentences.
If you’ve been arrested for an opium crime, call the leading Chicago opium crimes attorney, Fred Mark Dry, as soon as possible. Below you can find more information about opium crimes in Chicago.
Potential Penalties for Opium Crimes
According to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, as well as federal drug laws, simple possession of heroin can carry exceedingly harsh penalties if you’re convicted.
Even if you’re caught with a small baggy (less than 15 grams of heroin), which accounts for most addicts in the Chicago area, you could be facing a Class 4 Felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000.
Possessing opium and its derivatives, however, carries a slightly more lenient punishment than heroin, as there are fewer overdoses and crime from opium. According to Illinois Statute 720 ILCS 570/206, opium is ranked as a Schedule II drug. In addition to opium are its derivatives, including:
- Raw opium
- Opium extracts
- Powdered opium
- Tincture of opium
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Tapentadol
- Thebaine
- …And others
Keep in mind that, because of the high pressure of prosecutors and courts to rid the streets of heroin, illegally possessing drugs such as Oxycodone or Fentanyl can carry fairly harsh sentences as well. Possessing more than 15 grams of morphine, for example, could land you in prison for 4 to 15 years with a maximum fine of $200,000.
Contact Chicago’s Leading Drug Crimes Attorney Today
For over 35 years, Chicago criminal lawyer Fred Mark Dry has helped thousands of individuals receive not-guilty charges or reduced sentences. Opium crimes, such as heroin, are a major issue in Chicago and the surrounding areas, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a scapegoat for the war on drugs. If charged with an opium crime, contact the attorney who’ll relentlessly fight for you.