Check out all of our 112 5 Star Google reviews here

625 W Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073

Award Winning Lawyers That Get Results 
The attorneys of Harter & Schottland are hands-on, thorough, and aggressive lawyers with a reputation for taking cases to trial and winning. Whether you need a Lake County criminal defense lawyer, a Waukegan family law attorney, or legal representation in a real estate matter or personal injury claim, you can count on us for personal service and outstanding legal representation. Harter & Schottland wins more cases.

Marijuana / Cannabis Defense Attorney

Marijuana / Cannabis Defense Attorney

While Illinois is following the National trend of relaxing marijuana laws, they remain in effect and can still be serious.


In recent years, small amounts of cannabis (less than 10 grams) has been decriminalized, although it can still be prosecuted in court as an ordinance violation and can still remain on a person’s record. Additionally, the amount of cannabis a person can be arrested for possessing and yet remain a misdemeanor has increased. 


However, while laws have been somewhat relaxed in certain situations, possession of cannabis is still prosecuted as a criminal offense punishable by jail or even prison for felony offenses.

The seriousness of a possession of cannabis case and maximum penalties are as follows:

  • Less than 10 grams is civil offense or ordinance violation
  • 10-30 grams: Class B misdemeanor (6 months in jail, $1,500)
  • 30-100 grams: Class A misdemeanor for first offense or Class 4 felony if second or subsequent (1-3 years in prison, $25,000)
  • 100-500 grams: Class 3 felony (2-5 years in prison, $25,000)
  • 500-2,000 grams: Class 2 felony (3-7 years in prison, $25,000)
  • 2,000-5,000 grams: Class 1 felony (4-15 years in prison, $25,000)
  • More than 5,000 grams: Class X felony (6-30 years in prison, $25,000)

When police suspect someone is in possession of cannabis, they have the responsibility to investigate the matter. They cannot, however, violate civil rights by searching and seizing personal property without a warrant. An illegally performed search is the first defense with any drug possession charge. The criminal defense lawyers at Harter & Schottland know how to attack unlawful searches and have won numerous cases by suppressing illegally obtained evidence.


Harter & Schottland has experienced criminal defense attorneys who defend cannabis charges regularly. Our goal is to win your case and preserve your freedom, not to negotiate for less prison time. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of any case, we can tell you we have successfully defended many clients charged with serious felonies. We have a history of winning cases at trial.


Our attorneys will dig into the case, interviewing witnesses, studying the evidence, filing the appropriate motions, perhaps to suppress evidence or statements, get the charges against you reduced or the case dismissed. We put our knowledge of the law, the courts, and the facts, and our ability to persuade a judge or jury to work on your behalf.


If you are facing any criminal charge, from fraud to murder, contact us for a free consultation. We take an aggressive approach to criminal defense. And we get results.”

Share by: