Facing Life in Jail for a Drug Crime

 Posted on April 17, 2017 in Drug Charges

When many people think about drug charges, they incorrectly assume that a conviction is not a serious matter. For instance, most minor marijuana-related offenses are only punishable by a civil fine, and most low-level drug offenses are misdemeanors. With the stakes so low, people are often not worried if they get caught by the police. However, it is possible for you to go away to jail for life over a drug offense, which is not something that should be taken lightly.

Circumstances Where You Could Face Life in Prison for a Drug Conviction

There are several circumstances when it comes to drug-related crimes that could land you in jail for the rest of your life if you are convicted. Not only could you be facing state drug laws, but you could also be facing federal drug laws, which are often more strict and carry tougher penalties.

Being Caught in Possession of Large Amounts of Cocaine

If you are caught with more than 100 grams of cocaine in your possession, even if you are a first time drug offender, then you could be sentenced to the rest of your life in jail (you could be sentenced from anywhere between 30 to 50 years in jail, which reasonably could be the rest of your lifetime). What seems patently unfair about being sent to jail for the rest of your life over a drug possession charge is that typically no one gets hurt during the commission of a drug possession crime.

Conversely, if you are caught by Illinois law enforcement with a large quantity of a cocaine mixture in your possession, and someone has died or suffered serious bodily injury as a result of your drug activities, you could face up to life in prison.

Caught Trafficking a Large Quantity of a Drug

Under federal drug laws, you can be sentenced to life behind bars if you are caught trafficking a large quantity of any of the following:

• Cocaine mixture (500 or more grams);
• Cocaine base (28 or more grams);
• Fentanyl (40 or more grams);
• Fentanyl analogue (10 grams or more);
• Heroin (100 grams or more);
• LSD (1 gram or more);
• Methamphetamine (5 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, or 50 or more grams of a methamphetamine mixture); and
• PCP (10 grams or more of pure PCP, or 100 or more grams of a PCP mixture).

Discharged Firearm Causes Death or Injury During a Drug Crime

If you are responsible for using and discharging a firearm during the commission of a drug-related offense, and someone is injured or killed as a result, you can be punished for your crimes by being given a sentence of life behind bars.

Drug Charges Are Serious. Call Us

If you are arrested for drug offenses, depending on what you allegedly did, you may face charges under state and federal law. You will need help fighting the drug charges that are levied against you. Make sure to contact a skilled Rolling Meadows criminal attorney for assistance.

Source:

https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ftp3.shtml