A 27-year-old Illinois man faces 10 counts of felony charges for unlawful delivery of cocaine, according to an article by The Pantagraph.
The Illinois man in question was already in police custody for another crime when the authorities delivered these drug delivery charges. According to official reports, the alleged crimes occurred on seven different occasions between October and December of 2019.
At this point, the Illinois man remains in police custody on a $100,000 bond. While this man awaits his arraignment on May 7, it seems appropriate to review Illinois laws governing unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.
Illinois Laws Against Delivery of a Controlled Substance
The Illinois laws against delivery of a controlled substance appear under 720 ILCS 570/401. This section makes it unlawful to deliver or manufacture any controlled substance. These substances are classified in different schedules, based on addictiveness and potential medical use, if any.
This section also makes it illegal to possess a controlled substance with the intent to deliver or manufacture. In this sense, it does not matter if the alleged perpetrator actually completes the delivery in question. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute is treated in the same way as a completed delivery crime.
Illinois Penalties for Delivery of a Controlled Substance
The Illinois penalties for delivery of a controlled substance also appear under Section 401. Though it is important to note that the punishment can shift based on a number of factors. For example, the controlled substances listed in Schedules I/II, including cocaine, are considered the most dangerous. Consequently, delivery crimes involving these substances feature the most severe penalties.
Furthermore, the amount of controlled substance in question also plays a vital role. To understand how this penalty scheme operates, consider the following penalties for delivery crimes involving:
- Less than 1 gram of cocaine — Class 2 felony, which can result in three to seven years in prison;
- More than 1 gram but less than 15 grams of cocaine — Class 1 felony, which can result in four to 15 years in prison;
- More than 15 grams but less than 100 grams of cocaine — Class X felony, which can result in six to 30 years in prison;
- More than 100 grams but less than 400 grams of cocaine — Class X felony, which can result in nine to 40 years in prison;
- More than 400 grams but less than 900 grams of cocaine — Class X felony, which can result in 12 to 50 years in prison; or
- More than 900 grams of cocaine — Class X felony, which can result in 15 to 60 years in prison.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by phone at (309) 827-4300, email at johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or by completing an online form.