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Maries County, MO

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Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Drug crimes lawyer in Maries County, MO.

In Maries County, MO, charges from drug crimes can bring overwhelming challenges—looming over you, your freedom, future, and reputation—that demand immediate action. From a misdemeanor possession to a felony trafficking case or even a federal drug offense, the penalties can be life-altering—costly fines, lengthy incarceration, and a permanent record. With an experienced Maries County, MO drug crimes lawyer by your side, you gain a powerful advocate ready to challenge the charges against you.

Act now to protect your future. Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free consultation. Let our dedicated drug crimes lawyers in Maries County, MO stand with you during this challenging time.

Charged With a Drug Crime in Maries County, MO? You Need Experience on Your Side

When your future is at stake, there’s no room for uncertainty in Maries County, MO. Missouri’s drug laws remain some of the toughest in the nation, and prosecutors work tirelessly to secure convictions. At Combs Waterkotte though, we exceed that determination with aggressive defense strategies that have consistently delivered results for our clients.

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 Maries County area, including:

Drug Crimes Lawyer Maries County, MO | Criminal Defense Attorneys in Maries County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Maries 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:

A drug crime conviction in Maries 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:

  • Severely limiting your career opportunities.
  • Difficulty securing housing or obtaining loans.
  • Damage your reputation in your Maries County, MO community.
  • Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Maries County, MO: Understanding Missouri’s Drug Schedules and Penalties

The severity of drug charges in Missouri is determined by the state’s classification of controlled substances under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017, managed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Here’s a breakdown:

  • 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: While substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine have limited medical uses, their high potential for abuse means they are still strictly regulated.
  • 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 encompass a variety of prescription medications, such as Valium, Xanax, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.

Penalties for Possession

In Maries 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 in Maries County, MO is treated as a class C felony, punishable by 3-10 years in prison. However, additional circumstances can lead to more severe charges:

  • Proximity to a Protected Area: Selling or delivering drugs within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a park is considered a class A felony, carrying 10 to 30 years or even life imprisonment.

  • Involving a Minor: Distributing drugs to someone under 17 who is at least 2 years younger than you, or allowing a minor to handle controlled substances, is a class B felony with enhanced sentencing.

Penalties for Trafficking

Drug trafficking offenses in Maries 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:
    • More than 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 when the drugs involve:
    • More than 10mg of fentanyl
    • More than 30g of heroin
    • More than 30 kilograms of marijuana
    • Over 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 Maries County, MO | Criminal Defense in Maries County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

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

    Being charged with a drug crime in Maries County, MO can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Call the knowledgeable attorneys at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a review of your case.

    Maries 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 Maries 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 Unlawful Search and Seizure

    The Fourth Amendment protects against illegal searches and seizures. If law enforcement obtained evidence without probable cause or a valid warrant, your attorney might argue to suppress that evidence, weakening the prosecution’s case and possibly getting your charges minimized or dismissed.

    Disputing Possession

    To convict on possession charges in Maries County, MO, the prosecution must prove you had control of the drugs. When substances are found in a shared area or their ownership is uncertain, we’ll challenge the claim that they belonged to you. Missouri law differentiates between two possession types:

    1. Actual Possession: You physically had the drugs on your person, such as in a pocket, bag, or vehicle.
    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.

    Proving 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.

    Highlighting Breaks in Chain of Custody

    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 Maries County, MO area.

    Challenging Evidence Sufficiency

    The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is circumstantial or fails to directly link you to the drug crime in question, your lawyer can challenge the sufficiency of the case against you in Maries County, MO.

    Claiming Duress or Coercion

    If you committed a drug crime in Maries 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 Maries 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 Maries County, MO. Here’s how we fight for you in Maries County, MO:

    • In-Depth Case Review:
      We dig deep into every aspect of your Maries 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 Maries County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded.
    • Proactive Negotiation:
      When appropriate, we pursue resolutions outside of court by working to reduce charges, negotiate favorable plea agreements, or secure alternatives like probation or treatment programs However, you always have the final say.

    Drug Crimes Lawyer | Maries County, MO Criminal Defense Attorneys | Combs Waterkotte

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

    When you hire Combs Waterkotte for your Maries County, MO drug crime defense, you’re choosing a firm that prioritizes results and personalized care. Here’s what sets us apart:

    • Proven Expertise: We’ve built a solid reputation in Maries County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
    • Consistent Updates: We provide regular updates and make sure you’re fully informed throughout the legal process in Maries County, MO.
    • Personalized Attention: We treat every Maries County, MO case with the urgency and care it deserves. You’re never on the backburner.

    When choose Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in the Maries County, MO area, you aren’t just hiring a leading drug crimes lawyer in and around Maries County, MO – you’re safeguarding 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 Maries County and beyond:

    Arrested or Questioned for a Drug Crime in Maries County, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away

    A drug charge in Maries County, MO doesn’t have to define your future, but swift action is essential. With skilled legal counsel, you can fight to reduce or eliminate the charges against you. The experienced Combs Waterkotte Maries County, MO drug crimes lawyers are ready to stand by your side and protect your rights. Don’t wait—your future depends on it.

    Call Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free consultation with one of our devoted drug crimes lawyers in Maries County, MO.

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