How Does the Illinois Criminal Code Address Forgery?

Forgery is an offense under the Illinois Criminal Code that involves misrepresentation with fraudulent intentions. There are many different types of forgery in Illinois. Depending on the object of forgery in question, the punishment can fluctuate greatly. In most cases, forgery crimes include extended confinement and hefty fines. 

What are the Illinois Laws Against Forgery?

720 ILCS 5/17-3 establishes the Illinois laws against forgery. Under this section, a person commits forgery if they demonstrate fraudulent intent and knowingly:

    Creates a false document or alters any document to make it false; Delivers or uses such a false document, knowing that the document is false; Possesses a false document with the intention to deliver or use it and knowing that the document is false; Uses the digital signature of another person unlawfully and without authorization; or Exploits the signature device of another person unlawfully and without authorization to create a false electronic
[...]

Written by on October 30, 2020

Illinois Man Faces Felony Charges for Two Drug Crimes

An Illinois man faces felony charges for unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and another drug crime, according to an article by The Pantagraph. 

The 22-year-old man is from the 200 block of West Locust Street in Normal. Law enforcement arrested him with approximately 12 pounds of marijuana and a small amount of psilocybin mushrooms. As a result, the authorities charged this man with:

    Unlawful possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; and Unlawful possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver.

The Illinois man remains in custody at the McLean County Jail, as he declined to post $20,035 in bail. While this man awaits his next hearing, it seems like a proper chance to review Illinois laws against and penalties for unlawful possession.  

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

Generally speaking, 720 ILCS 570/402 makes it unlawful to possess any controlled substance. Furthermore, Illinois law divides [...]

Written by on December 27, 2019

Drug Manufacturing/Delivering vs. Drug Trafficking in Illinois

Drug crimes and addiction ruin many lives across the State of Illinois every year, tearing families apart and even resulting in fatal overdoses. Accordingly, Illinois law prohibits any person from manufacturing, delivering, or trafficking drugs. When a person violates these laws by manufacturing, delivering, or trafficking drugs, the end result is generally an extended prison sentence and a staggering amount of fines.

Drug Manufacturing/Delivering

720 ILCS 570/410 frames the Illinois laws against drug manufacturing/delivering. Under this section, it is unlawful to create illegal drugs or distribute them to other people. It is also unlawful to possess illegal drugs in such a quantity that indicates an intent to manufacture or deliver. 

The penalties for drug manufacturing/delivering also appear under Section 570/410. Though Illinois law pegs the applicable punishment to the type and quantity of illegal drugs at issue. To illustrate this principle, please find below a breakdown of different Illinois penalties [...]

Written by on August 30, 2019