DuPage County Meth Defense Lawyers

Attorneys Defending Lombard Clients Against Meth and Drug Charges

Addiction to methamphetamine, or meth, is a serious problem in Illinois, and the State will act aggressively to prosecute offenders. A person can be charged with possessing meth or its dangerous chemical ingredients, with "cooking" or producing it, or with selling or distributing the drug.

If you are arrested on methamphetamine charges, you can turn to the skilled DuPage County drug defense attorneys in the law offices of Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. to protect your rights. We have a long track record of defending clients facing meth charges and a wide range of other drug charges, including marijuana, cocaine, crack, and prescription drugs, throughout the Chicago area.

Defending Methamphetamine Charges in DuPage County

Known by its street names - crystal meth, glass, ice, speed, and crank - methamphetamine can become a problem, even for someone who is not an addict. If meth is produced in a home that you own or its components are found in your vehicle, you could be facing some serious questions from investigators. It is important to hire a skilled attorney before making statements to the police.

Our experienced defense team at Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. has a number of strategies to protect you, such as challenging unreasonable police searches, seeking to have the charges dismissed, moving the case to a drug court to seek drug treatment instead of many years in prison, or working out a plea agreement to minimize jail time.

Penalties for Methamphetamine Charges in Illinois

Due to the highly addictive nature of methamphetamine and the volatile nature of manufacturing it, the State of Illinois has enacted tough penalties for offenders. Possessing methamphetamine and the household ingredients that comprise it, as well as manufacturing the drug, are felony charges that carry prison time. Longer prison sentences are tied to greater amounts of the drug, and possession can lead to the following sentences:

• Less than five grams - Class 3 felony, two to five years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• Five to 15 grams - Class 2 felony, three to seven years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• 15-100 grams - Class 1 felony, four to 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• 100-400 grams - Class X felony, six to 30 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
• 400-900 grams - Class X felony, eight to 40 years in prison and up to $200,000 in fines.
• More than 900 grams - Class X felony, 10 to 50 years in prison and up to $300,000 in fines.

Manufacturing methamphetamine or possessing meth with the intent to deliver can result in harsher penalties, including:

• Possession with intent to deliver less than five grams - Class 2 felony, three to seven years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• Possession with intent to deliver five to 15 grams or manufacturing less than 15 grams - Class 1 felony, four to 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
• Manufacturing or possession with intent to deliver 15-100 grams - Class X felony, six to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000 or the street value of the drugs.
• Manufacturing or possession with intent to deliver 100-400 grams - Class X felony, nine to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $200,000 or the street value of the drugs.
• Manufacturing or possession with intent to deliver 400-900 grams - Class X felony, 12 to 50 years in prison and fines of up to $300,000 or the street value of the drugs.
• Manufacturing or possession with intent to deliver more than 900 grams - Class X felony, 15 to 60 years in prison and fines of up to $400,000 or the street value of the drugs.

Contact a DuPage County Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

Charges and penalties could increase further if manufacture or possession takes place near a school or if you have a gun at the time of your meth arrest. The skilled DuPage County criminal defense attorneys at Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. will work aggressively to defend your rights in your methamphetamine case. Call us at 630-472-9700 for a free consultation to discuss the charges and possible defense strategies to improve your outcome. We provide legal representation in Oak Brook, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Hinsdale, Westmont, Clarendon Hills, DuPage County and surrounding areas.