The Chicago area is no stranger to drug crimes. In Chicago, much criminal activity is fueled by drug activity and the drug dealing is commonplace. For some people, it is a normal part of life shared by the whole family. Because Chicago is such a hub for drugs, dealers often travel here to obtain their merchandise. In the case of heroin, it isn’t uncommon for a dealer to purchase heroin in Chicago and then fetch four to six times the price in Iowa.
Those who know about the drug trade understand that the stories of dealers and users are riddled with tragedy. Some get caught up in the drug trade because of poverty, some because the business is in the family and some because it was the first viable opportunity that came their way. None of this excuses illegal activity, of course, but it does put a human face on the issue.
Those who are charged with drug offenses need to know their rights and to work with an experienced advocate who will look of for them. When a criminal defense attorney takes on a drug case, he or she will look at the facts of the case with an eye to exposing any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. At trial, it is the prosecution that has the burden of proving criminal activity beyond a reasonable doubt. In some cases, the goal will be to have the charges dismissed or to reach for an acquittal. In other cases, the goal will simply be to reduce the consequences of the criminal charges.
Whatever the case may be, criminal defense can go a long way toward helping a defendant walk away with less damage and a chance to start over. Not all defendants will start over, of course, but all have the right to their day in court.
Source: www.wbez.org, “Chicago is hub for heroin in the Midwest,” Rob Wildeboer, December 16, 2013.
