Marion County, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Marion County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County, MO? Choose Proven Legal Expertise

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.

With over 40 years of combined legal experience and a track record of successfully handling 10,000+ cases, our team has the knowledge and tenacity to handle cases just like yours in Marion County, MO, including:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Marion County, MO: What Determines the Severity?

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

• The type of controlled substances (see below)
• The amount of the drug involved
• Presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors

A conviction for drug crimes in Marion County, MO, has consequences that go far beyond fines or prison time. These long-term effects include:

• Barriers to finding or advancing in a career.
• Make it near impossible to secure housing or loans.
• Damage your reputation in your Marion County, MO community.
• Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Marion 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: 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 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 Marion 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 Marion 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 in Marion 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, which carries 5-15 years in prison, when the drugs involve:
  • Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
  • Over 30 grams of heroin
  • More than 8g of cocaine
  • Over 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 for amounts such as:
  • Over 10mg of fentanyl
  • Over 30g of heroin
  • More than 30 kilograms of marijuana
  • Over 30g of methamphetamine

  For larger amounts, the offense is upgraded to a class B felony:

  • 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 Marion County, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

  Time is critical. Contact an experienced drug crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte right away by calling Marion County, MO or reaching out online to discuss the specifics of your case.

  Drug crime convictions in Marion County, MO come with severe consequences, but our skilled attorneys can quickly and thoroughly identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. While no two cases are alike, here’s how we work to build a powerful defense strategy:

  Fighting Illegal Search and Seizure

  The Fourth Amendment protects against illegal 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

  Marion 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: You physically had the drugs on your person, such as in a pocket, bag, or vehicle.
  2. Constructive Possession: When you don’t physically possess the drugs but have knowledge of an access to their location with intent to control them.

  Arguing Lack of Awareness

  The state must prove that you knowingly possessed or distributed the drugs. If there’s no evidence you were aware of the drugs—such as if they were planted or unknowingly left in your home or vehicle—our team can argue that you lacked the required knowledge to establish possession or distribution.

  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 Marion County, MO area.

  Weak or Inconclusive Evidence

  To secure a conviction in Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County, MO case. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Marion County, MO:

  • Comprehensive Case Investigation:
    Our Marion County, MO attorneys meticulously review every detail, from police reports to witness statements, to identify inconsistencies or oversights that could weaken the prosecution’s case.
  • Scrutinizing Evidence:
    Was the evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in Marion County, MO? Our team carefully analyzes the details to ensure any evidence acquired improperly is excluded from court.
  • Proactive Negotiation:
    Occasionally, the ideal outcome is reached outside the courtroom. Our lawyers work diligently to reduce charges, negotiate plea bargains, or secure alternatives to jail time, like probation, drug courts, or treatment or diversion programs However, you always have the final say.

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Marion County, MO: Why Hire Combs Waterkotte?

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

  • Proven Strategies: Our legal team has a proven track record of success in defending Marion County, MO drug crimes.
  • Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way in Marion County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
  • Focused Representation: Every case receives our full attention and determination to achieve the best possible outcome in Marion County, MO.

  When partner with Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in or around Marion County, MO, you aren’t just selecting the ideal drug crimes lawyer in Marion County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 provides expertise in the following areas for Marion County, MO residents:

  • 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

  Arrested or Questioned for a Drug Crime in Marion County, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now

  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 Marion 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 dedicated Marion County, MO drug crimes lawyers.