Montgomery County, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Montgomery County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, MO. Our team of skilled drug crimes lawyers is dedicated to fighting aggressively to protect your rights, your freedom, and your reputation

Charged With a Drug Crime in Montgomery County, MO? Trust a Team That Delivers Results

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 boasts more than 40 years of combined experience and has successfully handled over 10,000 cases throughout Missouri and the Montgomery County area, including:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Montgomery 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 type of controlled substances (see details below)
• The amount of the drug involved
• The actuality of any aggravating or mitigating factors

A Montgomery County, MO drug crime conviction can disrupt your life in ways beyond immediate penalties like fines or jail time. The consequences may include:

• Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
• Make it near impossible to secure housing or loans.
• Damage your reputation in your Montgomery County, MO community.
• Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.

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

In Missouri, the severity of drug crimes is tied to the state’s classification of controlled substances, as defined under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017. These schedules, organized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, outline potential penalties based on the drug’s category:

• 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 substances have a lower risk of physical dependence than Schedule I or II drugs but still pose a risk of high psychological dependence. These drugs include anabolic steroids, certain stimulants, antidepressants, and weight loss medications, all of which have accepted medical uses.
• Schedule IV and Schedule V drugs include numerous prescription drugs, such as Xanax, Valium, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.

Penalties for Possession

Possession of any controlled substance in Montgomery County, MO, apart from marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, is a class D felony in Missouri, which can result in up to 7 years in prison. For marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, possessing between 10 and 35 grams is classified as class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. If the amount exceeds 35g, the charge is 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 in Montgomery County, MO is categorized into two degrees with penalties based on type and quantity of the substance:

• First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony with a sentence of 5-15 years when involving:
  • Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
  • Over 30 grams of heroin
  • Over 8g of cocaine
  • Over 30g of methamphetamine

  If larger quantities are involved, the charge is elevated to a class A felony, such as:

  • 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 for amounts such as:
  • Over 10mg of fentanyl
  • More than 30g of heroin
  • More than 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 Montgomery County, MO: Protecting Your Rights and Future

  If you’ve been charged with any of the above drug crimes in Montgomery 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.

  Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 robust defense strategy:

  Fighting Illegal Search and Seizure

  The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement obtained evidence without probable cause or a valid warrant, we’ll fight to have it suppressed. This can significantly weaken the case against you and may even lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges.

  Disputing Possession

  Possession charges require sufficient evidence of possession of the drugs. If the drugs were found in a shared space or if ownership is unclear, we can argue that you were not in possession. There are 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 Knowledge

  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.

  Errors in Evidence Handling

  For evidence to hold up in court, its handling must follow a documented and uninterrupted chain of custody. Any mistakes in how evidence is collected, transported, or stored can result in its exclusion. This is especially critical in drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases throughout the Montgomery County, MO area.

  Insufficient Evidence

  The prosecution has the burden to prove your beyond a reasonable doubt in Montgomery County, MO. If the case relies on circumstantial evidence or lacks direct proof tying you to the alleged crime, your attorney can argue the evidence is insufficient to convict.

  Claiming Duress or Coercion

  If threats or intimidation forced you to commit the alleged offense, a defense of duress may apply in Montgomery County, MO. Similarly, coercion due to an imminent threat of harm could justify your actions and mitigate your culpability.

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Montgomery County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Builds a Strong Defense

  With decades of legal expertise, access to top-notch experts in our network, and a thorough grasp of Missouri’s drug statutes, our team builds robust defense strategies tailored to your Montgomery County, MO case. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Montgomery County, MO:

  • In-Depth Case Review:
    We dig deep into every aspect of your Montgomery 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 evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in Montgomery County, MO? Our team carefully analyzes the details to ensure any evidence acquired improperly is excluded from court.
  • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
    Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Montgomery 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 get to make the final decision.

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Montgomery County, MO: Why Choose Combs Waterkotte?

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

  • Proven Results: We’ve built a solid reputation in Montgomery County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
  • Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way in Montgomery County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
  • Personalized Attention: We understand that every Montgomery County, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

  If hire Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in the Montgomery County, MO area, you aren’t just hiring a leading drug crimes lawyer in Montgomery County, MO and beyond – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our experienced drug crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Montgomery 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

  Charged With a Drug Crime in Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with one of our dedicated drug crimes lawyers in Montgomery County, MO.