Illinois prosecutors may file additional charges when children are present during a traffic stop, drug raid, or alleged drug delivery. These are known as “child-endangerment add-ons” under 720 ILCS 5/12C-5. These add-on charges can quickly transform simple possession into a multi-felony situation with much more serious consequences. Even when a child was not directly involved and was not harmed, Illinois law allows prosecutors to argue that the drug activity placed the child in a “dangerous situation.”
Child endangerment charges carry separate penalties, DCFS involvement, and even the loss of parental rights in some cases. Anyone facing drug allegations in Illinois with add-on child endangerment charges must understand how these charges work and how an experienced Naperville, IL criminal defense lawyer can fight the charges in the most effective manner.