What Happens if You Sell a Prescription Drug in Illinois?

 Posted on April 09, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Selling a prescription drug might not seem like a major crime, but in Illinois, it can be charged as a serious criminal offense. If convicted, you could face fines, jail time, and the burden of a permanent criminal record. Fighting a charge of drug distribution requires thorough preparation and a deep knowledge of the law. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., our Illinois drug crimes defense attorney can advocate for your rights in court and find strategies for getting the charges reduced or dropped.

Drug Schedules

In Illinois, all illegal drugs are classified into categories known as schedules. The most serious drug crimes involve Schedule I drugs like heroin or PCP, which come with felony penalties for possession – let alone selling them. Prescribed medications and drugs are typically characterized within Schedule II through IV since they have accepted medical uses.

Common prescription drugs with the potential for abuse include Xanax, Oxycontin, fentanyl, Adderall, anabolic steroids, ketamine, and Ambien. If you are accused of illegal possession or distribution of these drugs, it is critical that you get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. Even if you are "only" accused of possession, law enforcement and the prosecution can upgrade the charge if they suspect you planned to give the drugs away.

Drug Distribution Charges

The penalties for selling a Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance can vary widely depending on how much of the drug you were carrying. For instance, you could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for selling 15 to 99 grams of fentanyl, with a minimum of six years of incarceration. This is a Class X felony, the most serious kind of felony offense short of murder. You could also face Class 2 felony charges for arranging a drug sale with a cell phone in addition to the other charges.

If you have been charged with selling even a small quantity of prescription drugs, you could lose years of your life behind bars. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we will keep you informed of what penalties you could potentially face and how we can mitigate the charges.

Defenses Against Drug Distribution

At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we will not rest until we have explored every option in your defense. We can look closely at the circumstances behind your arrest, looking for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case or errors in law enforcement procedures.

Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you against illegal search and seizure by police officers and government agents. If you were searched without a proper warrant or probable cause, an attorney could bring that to light in court and have the evidence thrown out. Alternatively, if there is not enough proof to support the prosecution’s claims, your case could be dismissed.

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for every drug distribution case. The best defense will be something tailored to the specific details of your case, based on a thorough knowledge of the law and careful consideration of the facts.

Meet With a Lake County, IL Drug Distribution Attorney Today

Have you been charged with selling a prescription drug? At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., our Waukegan, IL drug crimes defense lawyer can help you fight the charge, working to protect your rights. As a former Cook County prosecutor, Attorney Matthew Gebhardt has a deep understanding of criminal law and how drug offenses are handled in court. Call our offices at 847-239-4703 to get started with a free consultation today.