Drug Possession Lawyer Bloomington IL

A Drug Possession Lawyer Bloomington IL Respects Discusses Drug Arrests

Are you a white collar businessperson who has been charged with drug possession or racketeering? Perhaps you are a young adult who was arrested for the sale of drugs? Regardless of who you are, drug charges are serious. You deserve the swiftest, most responsive legal advocacy you can get. If you are being investigated, or have been charged with drug possession or the sale of drugs, it may be a good time to call a drug possession lawyer from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols.

Thorough Legal Defense for Drug Possession

In nearly all cases involving drug possession or sale charges, the defense is often built based on how you were arrested. For example, law police are obligated to conduct themselves according to strict rules set forth by the federal and state governments. If any of these rules are broken, it is possible for a drug possession lawyer to argue that your arrest was illegal. Any confession or evidence gathered from this arrest could be suppressed and your charges dropped.

The drug offense lawyers from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols have handled many cases involving drugs. We know that these types of charges can involve serious repercussions, large fines, and long prison sentences. You can feel confident in knowing that we are well versed in state and federal laws. We also understand the common rationales for arrests, the personalities who prosecute these cases, and the right defenses to use against your case. Clients from all walks of life come to us because they know they can rely on our decades of experience in handling cases that have involved:

• Possession for personal use
• Possession and sale of drugs
• Drug trafficking
• Drug manufacturing
• Drug cultivation
• Conspiracy
• Racketeering
• Doctor shopping

Our cases have involved possession and sale of drugs in the Bloomington IL area, as well as, outside communities. Clients who have been charged with possession and sale of controlled substances, including the following, should know that they can come to our firm for honest, unbiased legal counsel.

• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Crack
• Heroin
• Opiate medication/painkillers
• Methadone
• Benzodiazepines
• Stimulants
• PCP
• Marijuana
• Steroids
• Ecstasy
• Bath salts
• Inhalants
• Dissociatives
• Hallucinogens

Penalties for drug possession and sale in Illinois can include:

• Fines and fees
• Restitution
• Jail or prison time
• Probation
• Community service
• A permanent criminal record
• Loss of a driver’s license

Consequences may include:

• The inability to work in certain professions
• Loss of a professional license
• Loss of child custody or visitation rights
• Inability to live in certain communities
• Loss of scholarships or grants
• Inability to travel to certain places (especially when you have been charged with a felony)

Have You Been Arrested in Bloomington IL and Charged with a Drug Crime?

Drug crimes can changes your life for years, if not forever. Regardless of the circumstances, don’t plead guilty until you have spoken with a drug possession lawyer Bloomington IL clients recommend from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols. We are highly qualified legal defenders who understand how to navigate the laws for the benefit of our clients. Call us now for a complimentary consultation.

If you are suffering from the humiliation of a drug possession lawsuit, seeking a drug possession lawyer Bloomington IL can provide to represent you may be a great first step. At Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, we have been fighting for the public ever since opening our law firm in 1938. We understand how a drug charge can severely impact or completely damage a person’s life. Not only is your future at stake, but also your career and personal life. As a reliable source for finding a drug possession lawyer Bloomington IL families count on, we believe in justice for all people.

We have seen many drug-related charges, so you can rest easier knowing we are knowledgeable in drug possession cases. There are many tactics the prosecution may use to trap you into a drug accusation, which can result in a taxing and emotional trial.

There are many factors that may affect your charges and potential trial, as a drug possession lawyer in Bloomington IL could explain. Every case is inherently unique, but below are a few that may apply to your situation.

1. Search Warrants – This can be an incredibly embarrassing experience for the accused and his or her loved ones.

2. Forfeiture – Police may try to take hold of your car, money, bank accounts, property, or home, claiming that these assets are directly related to the charge.

3. Wiretaps – If a wiretap was not authorized properly and legally approved, this could be an invasion of privacy.

4. Illegal Arrests – This pertains to a person being stopped and searched without probable cause. It may also include pressure by police to sign a consent search form.

5. Entrapment – This refers to committing a crime due to the pressure of a police officer.

Having a reliable drug possession lawyer Bloomington IL has to offer fight in your defense may help you avoid some of the more serious consequences of a drug-related crime. Even when it’s not possible to get charges dropped completely, it still may be possible to negotiate a lighter sentence or an alternative penalty, such as a drug rehabilitation program.

The sooner you hire an attorney to help with your drug possession case, the better your chances may be in a reduction or complete elimination of sentencing. Our legal team can work hard, yet be compassionate during this difficult time.

Drug Paraphernalia

There is some discretion on the part of law enforcement officers in determining if something is considered drug paraphernalia. There are times when they have clearly overstepped their bounds or mistook something innocent for drug paraphernalia. When a drug possession lawyer in Bloomington IL from our firm takes a case, one of the things that may be considered is the nature of the so-called drug paraphernalia. It’s very possible that the evidence seized from your possession had nothing to do with illegal drugs.

Alternately, perhaps it was not your drug paraphernalia and you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Talk to a Bloomington IL drug possession lawyer about the details of your case. It’s very possible that when our lawyer submits a strong argument on your behalf to the prosecutor or in a courtroom, that the truth will become evident.

If a law enforcement officer identifies drug paraphernalia in your possession, it may be in regard to one or more of the following items:

• Rolling papers
• Water bong
• Pipe
• Syringe
• Grinder
• Scale
• Syringe

Laws Regarding the Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Drug laws can vary from one jurisdiction to the next. In fact, you may reside in one jurisdiction but were arrested in another jurisdiction, or you traveled between two jurisdictions. A drug possession lawyer from our firm has a thorough understanding of the laws in Bloomington IL and the surrounding areas. If more than one jurisdiction’s laws are relevant to your case, you can feel confident that all of the variables will be considered by a drug possession lawyer Bloomington IL clients recommend when forming your legal defense strategy.

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

The legal determination of what constitutes drug paraphernalia depends in large part on the intent of the item’s owner. For example, a spoon in one’s car may have been left over from a meal eaten in the vehicle, or it could have been used as drug paraphernalia. Determining intent is often dependent on questions asked by a law enforcement officer or on the information volunteered by the individual during questioning by law enforcement. You have the right to remain silent even before you are charged with a crime. You will likely be best served by not answering questions other than providing your identity. At your first opportunity, call a Bloomington IL drug possession lawyer who can immediately begin protecting your rights.

Discuss your case with a seasoned drug possession lawyer in Bloomington IL during a free consultation by calling Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols today.

The Importance of Drug Possession Lawyers Bloomington IL Provides

Whether you have been charged with possession for personal use, or the intent to sell, drug possession lawyers in Bloomington IL can determine what defense strategy may work for your situation. Every case is unique because the details may vary.

In general, drug possession defenses are similar across state lines, but different from federal offenses. Sometimes, drug possession lawyers Bloomington IL citizens hire can challenge the stated facts or evidence; they may target errors in the procedure. The following are some of the most common defenses used by lawyers:

The Drugs Belong to Another Person – A common defense might be to claim that the drugs are not yours, or that you had no idea they were in the car or house, for instance. Skilled drug possession lawyers Bloomington IL community members recommend from our firm may be able to pressure the prosecutor to prove the drugs actually belonged to the client.

Crime Lab Analysis – Although a drug might look like meth, does not mean that it is meth. The prosecutors must be able to show that a seized substance is the drug it claims to be by sending it to a crime lab. The analyst must then appear at the trial to testify and present their findings.

Missing Drugs – Lawyers may make sure the prosecutors produce the actual drug during the hearing or trial. If they lose the evidence, the judge may drop the case. Losing drugs can be easier than you may think because they often get transferred to different departments before being placed in the evidence locker.

Drugs Were Planted – The sworn testimony of a police officer holds a great deal of weight in a courtroom. Furthermore, other officers may not feel comfortable in blowing the whistle on a friend. It is possible for drug possession lawyer Bloomington IL respects to file a motion that requires the department to release the complaints of the alleged officer who planted drugs. This defense is typically used only when a lawyer is confident they can prove these harsh accusations.

Medical Marijuana Exceptions – In a federal court, medical marijuana defenses cannot be used, but can be used in states that have legalized it. If you are facing state drug possession charges, a lawyer can develop what’s called an affirmative defense.

Fourth Amendment Right – The Fourth Amendment guarantees the right to due process. This includes restrictions on search and seizures that occurred before an arrest. Any drug that is found in plain view, such as on the seat of a car after a traffic stop, can be legally seized and used as evidence. However, drugs found in a trunk that was opened without the owner’s permission or with a warrant cannot be considered evidence. If drug possession lawyers Bloomington IL respects from our firm discovers any breach of our client’s Fourth Amendment rights, the charges may be dismissed.

Police Use of Drug-Sniffing Dogs

As explained above by our Bloomington IL drug possession lawyers, the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment clause protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the police. This means that all police searches are supposed to be reasonable as determined by a judge.

In regard to the protections offered by the Fourth Amendment, some people question whether or not it is reasonable to use drug-sniffing dogs to determine whether you have drugs in your possession. After all, dogs are animals that can be trained, accidentally or intentionally, to make them react to certain cues from their handlers. For example, drug-sniffing dogs that are used to justify searches of stopped cars on highways have been accused of being manipulated into reacting and giving a positive response to allow police searches.

Drug-Sniffing Dogs and Your Car

The reliability of drug-sniffing dogs has been questioned because of how inaccurate they seem to be when it comes to detecting drugs. The dogs’ handlers have even been accused of using the dogs in racial profiling when stopping and searching people. When it comes to searching your car during a traffic stop, police officers are allowed to use a drug-sniffing dog to check for drugs. If the dog alerts or gives a positive response to the officers leading them, then the police have probable cause to search your car for further evidence of drugs.

However, there is a limitation on how the police can use the dog. As a result of rulings by the United States Supreme Court, police officers can only use a drug-sniffing dog during a traffic stop if the use of the dog doesn’t make the stop longer than it would have been without the dog. This means that as long as the traffic stop remains as brief as it would have been without the officers using a drug-sniffing dog, then a court is likely to find the search reasonable.

Drug-Sniffing Dogs and Your Home

When it comes to your home, the Supreme Court recognizes more rights for the individual. The law provides that the police cannot get onto somebody’s private property with a drug-sniffing dog and look around for drugs. For the police to search a private residence, they would need to have a search warrant, or one of several exceptions recognized under the law. They cannot use the dog to sniff around your property to give them probable cause to search your home.

Drug Possession Lawyers Bloomington IL Counts On

A drug possession lawyer from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols can help protect your future if you have been charged with a crime. Drug possession convictions can result in loss of driving privileges, fines for tens of thousands of dollars, prison time, and many more penalties. Without quality legal representation, if you were charged with drug possession, you’re at risk for receiving the maximum sentencing. Though some public defenders are adequate in their legal representation, the majority are overwhelmed with their caseload and lack of resources. Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols limits the caseload of our drug possession lawyers Bloomington IL in order to preserve focus and dedication to clients. Our legal team supports our lawyers and provides the necessary resources to protect the best interests of our clients. Our drug possession lawyers Bloomington IL can review your case at no charge and this may help you to decide how to move forward with your defense.

Drug Possession in Illinois

In Illinois, a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) cannot be in a person’s possession unless they have a valid prescription in their name or they have a legal basis for having that substance. This is true whether the drug is a prescription medication, street drug, or marijuana (seeds, plants, or buds). Laws often change, and without an understanding of the details of those laws, it can be challenging to know whether or not one’s behavior is punishable by law or is permissible. Our drug possession lawyers Bloomington IL have a thorough understanding of drug laws and stay current on pending and new legislation. It may or may not surprise you that sometimes a law enforcement officer or prosecutor misinterprets a law or else acts in an unethical or illegal manner. Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols can protect your rights and challenge the authorities when they have overstepped their bounds. For years, we have represented members of the community. Regardless of the type of drug possession charges against you, a lawyer from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols can represent you. Some of the more common drug possession charges that arise include:

• Possession of a CDS without a legal basis.
• Possession of heroin.
• Possession of LSD.
• Possession of marijuana in excess of allowable amounts whether it is in bud or plant form.
• Possession of a form of MDMA such as Molly, Ecstasy, etc.
• Possession of cocaine.
• Possession of a prescription drug without a valid prescription.
• Possession of a narcotic or another drug while on school grounds or in a public park.

Quality Legal Representation from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols

If this is your first drug possession charge, you may be unfamiliar with the criminal justice system. Without quality legal representation, you are vulnerable to getting lost in the system and getting taken advantage of by an overzealous prosecutor. If this is not your first drug possession charge, you are likely facing severe penalties upon a conviction. Don’t take a chance. Call us today to talk to experienced drug possession lawyers Bloomington IL who can protect your rights.

Where to Start
Making the decision to declare bankruptcy is often not an easy feat. In most cases, a person has gone through many years of grueling financial ups and downs before finally realizing it is time to consider bankruptcy. The decision to file for bankruptcy must be made when feeling level-headed and not in a rush. After bankruptcy has been approved by the court, an “automatic stay” immediately is enforced. This means that creditors must halt contacting the debtor as a way to seek payment.

 

Those who are seriously looking at their finances and don’t see a way out besides bankruptcy, are encouraged to meet with a bankruptcy lawyer in Bloomington right away. Money trouble is one of the main causes of stress for people in today’s society, so we understand that you may be feeling a sense of urgency to find relief. 

There are two main ways that a person may become bankrupt. The most common method is through voluntarily filing for bankruptcy. The second way is when creditors request to the court to order a person into bankruptcy. It is essential that you notify a member of our legal team if your creditors have been pushing the court to force you into bankruptcy. 

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

A significant number of people submit paperwork to operate under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. People who are unemployed, have accumulated large medical bills, have drastically overextended their credit limit, or have marital issues, can benefit from Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 

Under this chapter, assets are liquidated as a way to pay off at least a large chunk of the outstanding debts. As an Illinois bankruptcy lawyer in Bloomington at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols may explain to you, a potential benefit to this chapter is that people can basically “trade in” some of their assets as a form of payment. Unfortunately, this chapter may not be ideal for debtors who own a family home or other assets that he or she wishes to keep. 

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Debtors who prefer to keep the property they have, may like the idea of filing under Chapter 13 bankruptcy instead. This chapter may also be referred to as “reorganization” bankruptcy, which permits the debtor to pay off their debts in a span of 3-5 years through a repayment plan. But, in order for this chapter to be beneficial it is vital that the debtor has consistent and reliable income. After the repayment plan term has finished, the remaining debt amount may be discharged. 

Facing Foreclosure

If you are facing foreclosures, there are factors that your bankruptcy lawyer in IL can go over with you in order to help you decide what you want to do. If you want to save your home, then there are several steps you can take. If your mortgage arrears are one or two months, then the bank or mortgage company may be willing to work out a payment arrangement with you. Other options may be to restructure your loan or agree to a forbearance. This is when the lender agrees not to foreclose, and the borrower agrees to keep to a repayment plan with will eventually bring the mortgage current.

If none of these options will work, then you may be able to keep your home through bankruptcy. There are two types of personal bankruptcy, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, everything a person owns is liquidated. In Chapter 13, all debt is restructured. In order to stop a foreclosure, Chapter 13 would be the appropriate option.Once your IL bankruptcy lawyer in Bloomington files your bankruptcy petition with the court, all debt collection ceases. This also includes any foreclosure proceeding that your mortgage lender has instituted. A payment plan is set up in order for you to pay all your creditors, including your mortgage.

Why Not Foreclosure?
Although bankruptcy may have a negative impact on your credit score, a foreclosure can cause a drop of approximately 300 points. Not only that, future lenders do not like to see foreclosures in your record, whereas a bankruptcy does not have such a negative effect. You have a much better chance of obtaining a future mortgage if you file for bankruptcy and not have a foreclosure.

A third option that may work is a short sale. A short sale is when the property is worth less than the balance you owe for your mortgage, but the mortgage lender agrees to waive your obligation to pay the balance owed after the sale.

And lastly, the mortgage company may agree to a deed in lieu of foreclosure. This is where you agree to turn the property over to the mortgage lenders do not have any more obligation.

Our team has been helping those in the Illinois area for many years. We can offer experience and information to help you decide what is best for your financial future. We invite you to contact us promptly to book your free consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer in Bloomington, IL at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols before your debts continue to build. 

Contact a Drug Possession Lawyer in Bloomington IL

Call a Bloomington drug possession lawyer from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols today. We may assist with gathering proof in your defense for the judge and jury to evaluate. The first consultation is free, so do not hesitate to reach out today. We know how far-reaching the effects of a drug-related conviction can be and we want to keep this accusation from ruining the rest of your life.

For more information about drug-related crimes, or to speak to a drug possession lawyer Bloomington IL residents trust, please contact Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols today.

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