Buchanan County, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Buchanan County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Buchanan County, MO is a serious matter that can alter the course of your life. Whether you’re dealing with a misdemeanor possession charge, a felony trafficking offense, or a federal drug crime, the consequences are steep: substantial fines, years or even life behind bars, a criminal record, and a tarnished reputation. However, with the right Buchanan County, MO drug crimes lawyer, you can take control of your situation and fight back.

If you’re facing a drug crime, call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an expert criminal defense attorney in Buchanan County, MO. Our team of skilled drug crimes lawyers is dedicated to fighting aggressively to protect your rights, your freedom, and your reputation

Drug Charges in Buchanan County, MO? You Need Experience on Your Side

We get it. Your future is on the line, and you can’t afford to test fate and roll the dice with an unproven law firm. Despite recent changes, including the partial decriminalization of marijuana, Missouri still has some of the most stringent drug laws in the country, with some of the toughest penalties. Prosecutors are relentless in pursuing convictions, but no more than we are at defending them.

The Combs Waterkotte legal team has more than 40 years of experience and has successfully handled over 10,000 cases in the following fields and more throughout Missouri and the Buchanan County, MO area:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: What Affects the Severity of Your Charges?

The severity of the penalties you could face and whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony hinges on:

• The classification of the drug (see below)
• The amount of the substance in question
• Presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors

A drug crime conviction in Buchanan County, MO can have far-reaching effects on your life. Aside from fines and prison/jail time—which vary depending on the severity of your crime—it can:

• Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
• Difficulty securing housing or obtaining loans.
• Hurting your reputation within your Buchanan County, MO community.
• Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: Missouri’s Controlled Substances & Penalties

Missouri’s schedule of controlled substances, categorized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017, determines the severity of drug crimes and their penalties. They are:

• Schedule I: Drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and other hallucinogens. These carry the harshest penalties.
• Schedule II: Substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine, which have recognized medical uses but are tightly regulated due to their high potential for abuse.
• Schedule III drugs are classified as having a moderate to low potential for physical dependence or high psychological dependence, with accepted medical uses. Examples include weight loss medications, stimulants, antidepressants, and anabolic steroids.
• Schedule IV and Schedule V substances, which include prescription drugs like Valium, Xanax, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica, are considered to have a lower potential for abuse and dependence.

Penalties for Possession

In Buchanan County, MO, possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids is treated as a class D felony, with potential penalties of up to 7 years in prison. If you’re caught with between 10 and 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, the charge is a class A misdemeanor, carrying up to 1 year in jail. Possession of more than 35g escalates to a class D felony.

Penalties for Sale or Delivery

Delivery of a controlled substance is a class C felony, punishable by 3-10 years in prison, unless you deliver to a:

• Protected Location: You face a class A felony—10 to 30 years or life in prison—if you knowingly distribute, sell, or deliver within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a park.
• Minor: You face a class B felony if the recipient is younger than 17 and at least 2 years younger than you or you knowingly permit a minor to purchase or transport illegally obtained controlled substances.

Penalties for Trafficking

Drug trafficking offenses in Buchanan County, MO are divided into two degrees based on the substance and its quantity:

• First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony, which carries 5-15 years in prison, when the drugs involve:
  • Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
  • More than 30 grams of heroin
  • More than 8g of cocaine
  • More than 30g of methamphetamine

  When larger quantities are involved, it becomes a class felony, like:

  • 20mg or more of fentanyl
  • 90g or more of heroin
  • 24g or more of cocaine
  • 90g or more of methamphetamine
• Second-degree trafficking is a class C felony when the drugs involve:
  • More than 10mg of fentanyl
  • More than 30g of heroin
  • Over 30 kilograms of marijuana
  • More than 30g of methamphetamine

  This offense becomes a class B felony when the amount is:

  • 90g or more of heroin
  • 24g or more of cocaine
  • 100kg or more of marijuana
  • More than 500 marijuana plants
  • 20mg or more of fentanyl

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: Protecting Your Rights and Future

  If you’ve been charged with any of the above drug crimes in Buchanan County, MO, you need to speak with a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible. Give a drug crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to discuss the specifics of your case.

  Buchanan County, MO’s drug laws impose harsh penalties, but with a skilled legal team on your side, there’s hope. Our drug crime lawyers in Buchanan County excel at finding vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s case. While strategies vary depending on your specific circumstances, here’s how we can build a strategic defense:

  Fighting Illegal Search and Seizure

  Under the Fourth Amendment, evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure cannot be used against you. If law enforcement lacked probable cause or failed to obtain a valid warrant, we’ll push to have that evidence excluded. This could be the key to reducing your charges or getting a dismissal.

  Challenge Possession

  Buchanan County, MO possession charges hinge on proving that you had control over the drugs. If the substances were located in a shared area or there’s ambiguity about ownership, we can argue that you were not in possession. Missouri law recognizes two types of possession:

  1. Actual Possession: This means that you had actual physical possession of a drug, whether in your hand, pocket, car, etc.
  2. Constructive Possession: While you may not have actual physical possession of a drug, you might have knowledge of and control of where the drugs are located, along with both the power and intention of physically possessing the drug at some time in the future.

  Arguing Lack of Awareness

  Under Missouri law, the prosecution is required to show that you knowingly possessed or distributed drugs. Our lawyers can work to prove that you were unaware of the drugs’ presence—whether they could have been placed in your vehicle, home, or property without your knowledge.

  Highlighting Breaks in Chain of Custody

  For evidence to be admissible in court, it must have an unbroken chain of custody. Any errors or mishandling of evidence during its collection, transport, or storage could lead to it being excluded from the case. This is particularly important in Buchanan County, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.

  Insufficient Evidence

  To secure a conviction in Buchanan County, MO, the prosecution must demonstrate your guilt guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence fails to definitively connect you to the crime or relies on speculation, your lawyer can challenge its adequacy.

  Claiming Duress or Coercion

  If you committed a drug crime in Buchanan County, MO because you were under a credible threat of harm, your lawyer might argue duress as a defense. Similarly, if coercion led to your actions under immediate physical threat, this can challenge your accountability for the crime.

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: Building Your Robust Defense With Combs Waterkotte

  At Combs Waterkotte, we leverage our decades of experience, a vast professional network, and unmatched knowledge of Missouri’s drug laws to mount an aggressive defense for you in Buchanan County, MO. Here’s how we fight for you in Buchanan County, MO:

  • Comprehensive Case Investigation:
    We dig deep into every aspect of your Buchanan County, MO case, from reviewing police procedures to gathering witness testimony, to uncover crucial details that may challenge the prosecution’s narrative.
  • Challenging Evidence:
    Was the investigation conducted legally? Were your rights violated? We’ll examine every detail in Buchanan County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded.
  • Proactive Negotiation:
    Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Buchanan County, MO. We fight for reduced charges, fair plea bargains, or alternatives like drug treatment programs, always keeping your future in mind However, you always have the final say.

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?

  At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys pride themselves on a results-driven approach and client-focused service in Buchanan County, MO. When you hire us, you’ll get:

  • Proven Strategies: Our team has a strong track record of securing favorable outcomes in Buchanan County, MO drug crime cases.
  • Transparent Communication: Transparency is key—we make sure you’re never left wondering about your Buchanan County, MO case’s progress.
  • Personalized Attention: We understand that every Buchanan County, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

  When partner with Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in Buchanan County, MO, you’re not just selecting the ideal drug crimes lawyer in Buchanan County, MO and beyond – you are securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our knowledgeable drug crimes attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Buchanan County and beyond:

  • Gun Crime Lawyer
  • Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
  • Homicide Lawyer
  • Assault Lawyer
  • Rape Defense Lawyer
  • Sex Offense Lawyers
  • DWI Attorney
  • Crime Defense Lawyers
  • Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys

  Facing a Drug Crime in Buchanan County, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Right Away

  Don’t let a drug crime define your future and don’t wait to start building your defense. WIth the right legal representation, it’s possible to avoid or minimize the charges. The sooner you have a skilled Combs Waterkotte Buchanan County, MO drug crimes lawyer on your side, the better your chances of reaching the best possible outcome. Your freedom is worth fighting for—let us fight for you.

  Call Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with one of our devoted Buchanan County, MO drug crimes lawyers.