Ottawa Drug Crimes Attorney

Dedicated Lawyer Defending Clients Against Drug Charges in Ottawa, IL

A conviction for a drug crime charge can have life-ruining consequences, including a mandatory minimum prison sentence and thousands upon thousands of dollars in fines. Prosecutors and law enforcement will stop at nothing to get you convicted, and without proper legal representation, you leave yourself at the mercy of a judge. The attorneys at Komie and Associates have litigated numerous drug cases, and we have achieved successful results for our clients through our skilled arguments and our exhaustive knowledge of state and federal law. If you need a qualified legal professional to help fight against a drug possession or trafficking charge, look no further. We defend the rights of Ottawa residents, providing our clients with strong legal representation in every case we take on.

Understanding Federal Drug Trafficking Charges

Drug trafficking charges usually fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government when a person is accused of transporting drugs across state lines. However, there are other factors that might result in the federal government getting involved in drug crime cases, including:

• The amount of drugs, as mass quantities of controlled substances are more likely to attract federal attention.
• Any violation of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. Trafficking Schedule I drugs (cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, pure PCP, etc.) will likely result in federal charges.
• Whether the alleged trafficking took place close to a government building or school.
• Whether a minor was involved in the alleged trafficking.
• If the alleged trafficking was part of a large-scale operation.

If you are convicted of a federal drug trafficking charge, you will face mandatory prison time. For example, if you are convicted of trafficking just one gram of LSD, you will face at least five years in prison, and the sentence will increase to a decade for 10 grams. In addition, federal drug trafficking charges can come with millions of dollars in fines, leaving you indebted to the government for life. The attorneys at Komie and Associates have litigated cases involving state and federal drug charges, and we understand the best strategies to use when defending our clients against these types of offenses.

Asset Forfeiture

As soon as you have been charged with a drug crime, the authorities may descend upon your home and property, seizing any assets that may be connected to an alleged offense. In many cases, asset forfeiture will unfairly strip people of their rightful property. In these cases, you may have a very limited window of time to reclaim your seized assets. Komie and Associates recognizes the urgency of this matter, and we will take swift legal action on your behalf. We understand the best strategies that can be used to fight asset forfeiture, which may include:

• Citing Constitutional Rights: The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable search and seizure, and the Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive fines. If the asset forfeiture was carried out in violation of your rights, we will fight to have your property returned.
• No Probable Cause: In cases involving drug trafficking charges, federal authorities must establish a credible connection between your property and the crime before any assets can be seized.
• Unreasonable Delay: Federal authorities will sometimes stall when dealing with challenges to asset forfeiture, delaying a case in an attempt to avoid returning your property to you. We will hold the authorities accountable for these delays, taking steps to ensure that your property can be returned to you as quickly as possible.

Attorney Stephen M. Komie has handled many cases involving asset forfeiture. He has achieved victories and recovered property in cases where the seized assets were worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Contact an Ottawa, Illinois Drug Crime Defense Lawyer Today

If you facing drug charges in Ottawa, it is in your best interests to seek out legal representation immediately. A drug crimes lawyer at Komie and Associates will take every measure on your behalf to have the charges reduced or dropped. We will use proven strategies to advocate for your innocence, and we will help you take steps to recover money or property that has been seized by law enforcement. Our attorneys regularly consult with outside experts to bolster your case, including forensic accountants. To schedule a free consultation, contact our office at 312-263-2800 today.