Edwardsville Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers
In Illinois, possession of as little as 2.5 grams of marijuana can get you up to 30 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. And that's the least of it — because it can also go on your record and even get you fired from your job. Now think about the consequences of charges of possession, sales, trafficking, distribution or manufacture of crack cocaine, methamphetamine or unauthorized medications, and you're looking at charges that could have a negative impact on your life for years to come.
Let us fight for your rights against drug charges. Call Polinske & Associates, P.C. at 618-505-4213 (877-632-3089 toll-free) for a free lawyer consultation to discuss your case. Attorney Brian Polinske is a former prosecutor with vast drug crimes defense experience.
First-Time Offender?
If you have been arrested for or charged with possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or controlled medications and this is your first offense, we will work to keep the charge off your record. In many cases, alternative programs are available to those with no record of a drug or other criminal offense.
Serious Drug Charges Carry Substantial Penalties
Charges stemming from possession, sales, distribution or trafficking of drugs such as heroin, meth, cocaine and prescription drugs (unauthorized medications) and large amounts of marijuana are felonies. As such, they are far more severe, and penalties can include high fines and imprisonment of a year or more. If you have been arrested, do not talk to the police without having an attorney present. We will work to have charges dismissed or reduced by:
- Challenging illegal search and seizure
- Questioning informant-based evidence
- Looking for police errors, including failure to read Miranda Rights
- Challenging charges based on entrapment
What Are You Waiting For?
If you have been charged with drug possession, sales or trafficking and need skilled legal help from a veteran team of trial attorneys, contact us by e-mail or call us at 618-505-4213 (877-632-3089 toll-free). A free initial consultation is available when and where you need it.
February 2012 - Methamphetamine Possession Class 1 felony - Jury Trial - My client was charged with methamphetamine possession after a routine traffic stop that quickly escalated into a full search of his brother's van. A shaker bottle was found inside with methamphetamine in liquid form. The jury acquitted him after only a 30 minute deliberation. They discussed the case afterwards and a couple stated that didn't believe the State should have filed the case to begin with. I was able to effectively cross-examine the officer in charge. Edwardsville Police Department. My client has an offer of five (5) years in the Department of Corrections going into the trial. My client was on probation at the time of trial so we decided it to be in his best interests not to testify. Needless to say my client is very pleased with out trial services.
August 2011 - Felony Drug Possession with Intent - Our client was staying a friend's house. A package was delivered to the house by Fed Ex. Her friend had requested her to bring the package to her workplace immediately. My client believed the unopened box was a gift for her birthday so she walked to her car to drive. Undercover police agents swarmed upon her. She was handcuffed, her car searched, cell phone taken, car seized, and she was not Mirandized. The police claimed the box contained a pound of marijuana. We filed a motion to suppress based upon a variety of constitutional violations. The judge ruled in our favor and suppressed all evidence against her.
Felony Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance June 2011 - Our client was arrested for DUI after wrecking his truck. At the scene a packet of powder cocaine was discovered. We were able to negotiate a full dismissal of the felony drug charge.
June 2011 - Our client was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. We negotiated a full dismissal of the felony charge.
April 2011 - Our client was charged with multiple misdemeanor offenses including possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and various traffic violations. We negotiated full dismissals of all charges.
2011 - My client was arrested for Cannabis Trafficking. He allegedly possessed 67 pounds of cannabis that was discovered in a travel container by the Collinsville Police Department. My client's bond was set at $150,000. We were able to convince a judge to reduce his bond to a more manageable bond of $75,000. My client has posted the bond and is back in California awaiting trial in his case.
April 2011 - Our client was arrested and charged with Possession of 4.5 pounds of Cannabis. The State alleged he intended to distribute the cannabis. His bond was set at $100,000. We were able to reduce his bond to personal recognizance so he could travel back to his home state of Indiana.
October 2010 - Our client was facing a Class X possession with Intent to Deliver charges for 135 pounds of cannabis. We were able to negotiate a full dismissal of the case. The State had a serious problem with the nature of the initial traffic stop and subsequent search of her vehicle.
October 2010 - Our client residence was unlawfully searched by the police. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance. We were able to negotiate a full dismissal of the case. Once again, the State had to reconcile a bad initial entry into his residence and unconstitutional search of his premises.
October 2010 - Our client was raided by DEA and local police authorities. His house was searched and over an ounce of cocaine was discovered in his bedroom. The police also discovered $4,000 in a furniture drawer with the substance. He was facing mandatory 6 to 30 years on the class X Possession with Intent charges. We were able to negotiate a reduced charge and two years standard probation.
August 2010 - My client was charged after cannabis was discovered along with paraphernalia in her dorm room. Due to difficulties with procuring the evidence, the State was forced to completely dismiss her cases.
August 2010 - Our client was stopped while driving a vehicle by the police. The search was unconstitutional and the charges for drug possession against him were fully dismissed.
2008 — Two class X methamphetamine cases were dismissed due to motions to suppress evidence. Had we not won the case completely, the client was facing up to 30 years in prison. The other two co-defendants used other attorneys and both pled guilty and served a lengthy prison sentence. They would have won their cases had they pursued the same motions that I did for my client. The State appealed and our client won on appeal.
2009 — Class X methamphetamine case won via motion to suppress evidence.
