Addiction, Mental Health & The Law

Specialty Courts

The law is always evolving. It is important to have a lawyer that follows the changes in the law, especially when the changes are designed to benefit the accused. Addiction is a medical disease recognized by the DSM5. Many counties in the Chicago land area have created specialty courts including first offender drug probation, drug court, veterans court, or mental illness court alternative programs to facilitate the accessibility of rehabilitation in the justice system.

If you have never been convicted of Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Methamphetamine, or Delivery of Cannabis between 10-30 grams you may eligible for first offender probation under 720 ILCS 570/410. Crimes based upon drug addiction are eligible for specialized courts geared towards rehabilitation. The benefits of first offender probation and other specialty courts designed to treat mental illness and drug addition will be felt not only on your criminal record, but also on the road to recovery. Having a felony conviction on your record can make it very difficult to obtain housing, employment, or financial aid.

At Lafata Law, we understand addiction and mental illness on a human level. If you were arrested in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, Kendall of Dekalb counties, let us review your case to determine if you are eligible for one of the many specialty courts designed with the needs of the accused in mind.