720 ILCS 5/9-3.3 – Drug-Induced Homicide
This law makes it a serious crime if someone gives drugs to another person and that person dies from using them.
This Illinois law says that a person can be charged with a major felony if they illegally give drugs to someone and that person dies from taking them. The punishment can be a prison sentence of up to 60 years.
(a) A person commits drug-induced homicide if they illegally give a controlled substance to someone, and that person dies from using the drug in any way, such as by injection, inhaling, absorbing, or swallowing it.
(a-5) A person also commits drug-induced homicide if, in another state or area, they illegally give drugs to a user, and that user dies in Illinois from using those drugs.
(b) Sentence. Drug-induced homicide is a Class X felony, which is one of the most serious charges in Illinois. The law sets out special rules for punishment:
- If the person gave drugs in violation of certain parts of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or Methamphetamine Control Act, the punishment is prison for at least 15 years and up to 30 years. For especially serious cases, the sentence can be extended to 60 years.
- If the crime happened under the laws of another state, these same Illinois laws and prison terms can added on: 15 to 30 years or up to 60 years for an extended term.
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