Drug Crime Lawyer in East Side KC, MO. Being caught with drugs can send you to jail, even if you weren’t using them. If you’re particularly unlucky, you could face elevated charges of distribution or trafficking. Without the help of a knowledgeable East Side KC, MO, criminal defense attorney, you could face years behind bars.
Combs Waterkotte is here to help you avoid that fate. Our team of legal experts is ready to defend against any drug charge in East Side KC, MO, and won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
If you need an expert East Side KC, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re ready to talk to you today. Talk to one of our representatives today at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note on line for a no strings attached case review.
East Side KC, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
In this post, we overview what a drug crime lawyer in East Side KC, MO, does to protect you, Missouri’s illegal substance related laws and consequences, what you need in a drug crimes attorney, and list some resources which can help with fighting substance abuse and/or navigating legal complications.
If there’s a specific topic you want to learn more about, you can jump ahead using the links below:
- What a East Side KC, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
- Potential Consequences for Different Drug Charges in East Side KC, MO
- What You Need in a East Side KC, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
- Treatment and Diversion Programs for East Side KC, MO, Drug Charges
- Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
- Contact a Drug Crime Lawyer in East Side KC, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
What a East Side KC, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
When you call an experienced East Side KC, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, you get skillful legal representation from day one. Whatever your case looks like, it’s critical to work with an attorney who will protect justice and won’t back down.
Here are the steps we take to help after your call:
- Let You Tell Your Story: A legal case is about more than just winning or a verdict. We will treat you right and keep you informed through the process.
- Guide You Through Police Interviews: In every case, regardless of the circumstances, the consequences of trying to navigate an interrogation on your own are dire.
- Fight for Bail: If you’re facing drug charges in East Side KC, MO, you may or may not get bail; getting it depends on certain subjective factors. Our team will fight for your freedom and a low bail amount.
- Craft a Defense Strategy: Every case has unique details and circumstances. We can help you find the best defensive strategy to fit yours.
- Explore Plea Deal Options: Using our strategy and any available evidence, we’ll bargain with the prosecution to see if we can have your charges dropped or dismissed.
- Fight the State in Front of a Jury: When you need to go before a judge and/or jury, our trial-ready team of drug crime lawyers will present your case in court.
- Represent You for Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: Depending on the result of your trial, you might go through sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. We won’t give up until you get justice.
Effective Drug Crime Defense Strategies
Your case is unique and deserves a tailor-made defensive plan. Our attorneys know how to use each of the below criminal defense strategies to maximum effect:
Lack of Intent
If you didn’t mean to break the law, you often can be found innocent. Drug charges can often center around intent, because you can face criminal accusations just for being near a controlled substance, even if they weren’t yours. For example, if someone hid drugs in your house without your knowledge, you can argue that you did not have intent, and there for are not guilty of possessing or using them.
Mistaken Substance Analysis
Before you can be convicted, the state needs to show that the substance in question was, in fact, illegal. If something is wrong with the way the tests were conducted, we can exploit that to have the evidence thrown out.
Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
Your Fourth Amendment rights place rules on how law enforcement officers can find evidence. This means that law enforcement officers need to either have a warrant or probable cause to search your person or property. Your East Side KC, MO, drug crime lawyer can question the legitimacy of these warrants and probable cause inferences.
Entrapment
entrapment is a process where a state official (likely undercover) causes a person to commit an illegal act, when they wouldn’t have otherwise. If you wouldn’t have broken the law otherwise, we can use this to defend against the charges.
Drug possession defenses require specialized expertise, because not every type of criminal defense strategy will work for them. This is because many are vice crimes, so defenses like “self-defense” aren’t applicable.
On the other hand, you can fight drug charges in unique ways, with unique defenses. For example, let’s look at a hypothetical marijuana criminal charge. While Missouri has largely decriminalized it, adults over 21 cannot carry more than 3oz of marijuana at a time. If you only had 3oz on you, but something was wrong with the law enforcement’s scale, and it showed more than 3oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you did not violate the law.
Vice Crimes Definition: Vice crimes include actions that are looked at as immoral, but are often “victimless”. Common examples include using drugs, violating alcohol regulations, and certain kinds of gambling.
East Side KC, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Penalties
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in East Side KC, MO, that isn’t serious. Here are some of the charges we will defend you against:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is in many ways the default drug crime people are accused of in East Side KC, MO. You would ‘possess’ a drug if you allegedly had it on your person, or it was somewhere else, but you had control over it.
Drug Possession Penalty: For controlled substances besides Marijuana, possession is a class D felony, with up to seven years in prison if convicted (Marijuana possession is typically much more lenient, either a class A or class D misdemeanor).
Drug Distribution
Drug distribution is treated harsher by the law, in most cases. These charges include when someone allegedly sold an illegal drug, tried to sell it, or even just planned to sell some they had.
Drug Distribution Penalty: Distribution can range from a class E felony (up to four years in prison) to a class C felony (three to ten years in prison).
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking charges most often apply in cases with a large quantity of illegal substances. Trafficking is mostly centered around transporting drugs into Missouri, but even just possessing enough can lead to trafficking charges.
Drug Trafficking Penalty: Trafficking charges can come in either first or second degree, and overall range from being a class C felony to a class A felony (ten years to life in prison).
Drug Manufacturing
Drug manufacturing refers to situations where someone produced an illegal drug.
Drug Manufacturing Penalty: Manufacturing penalties depend on the type of substance that was allegedly made and the amount. The exact level of felony also depends on other circumstances, such as if someone was hurt or killed in the production process. A conviction can range from a class E felony up to a class A felony.
DWI With Drugs
A DWI with drugs is not that different than one with alcohol: If you were driving with drugs in your system (even legal ones) that impact your awareness and ability to drive, you can face drug DWI accusations.
DWI with Drugs Penalty: The penalty depends on whether you have any previous DWI convictions. If this is your first conviction, the penalty is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail). On top of that, you will face a license suspension.
Juvenile Drug Crimes
Juvenile drug charges need special treatment from a defense attorney to fight properly. These typically include variations on the allegations listed above. This also includes some special crimes, such as a minor in possession of marijuana.
Juvenile Drug Crimes Penalty: Convictions can carry the same sentences for juveniles as for adults. That said, diversionary programs can help youths avoid the worst. Your juvenile drug crime lawyer can help you look into juvenile diversion programs in East Side KC, MO.
In Missouri, several of the above allegations carry felony consequences if convicted. If you want to avoid lifelong consequences, it’s vital to work with an expert felony drug crime lawyer to build your defense.
Federal Drug Charges in East Side KC, MO
Most minor drug crime allegations are prosecuted by the state. But major ones, or cases in which you are alleged to have crossed state lines, are frequently taken over by the federal government. If you are facing federal charges, contact a leading federal drug charges lawyer who can take on the United States Government right away.
What You Need in a East Side KC, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you pick a drug crime lawyer in East Side KC, MO, you need a premier option. An ideal candidate will have:
- Practice fighting cases in East Side KC, MO
- Compassion for your situation and well-being
- Fair and clear payment structures
- Knowledge of your specific charges
- A track record of success
Combs Waterkotte checks off all the boxes for a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We can offer you expert legal counsel and guidance on how to move forward.
Missouri’s Drug Treatment and Diversion Programs
A trial or a plea deal are the two main ways criminal cases are resolved. However, there is another way. Your drug crime lawyer can help you explore special courts and diversionary programs that can keep you out of prison.
While Missouri offers several different drug treatment courts, adult treatment courts are the most widely available. In an effort to make more long-lasting, positive change in people’s lives, these courts are focused on helping people defeat addictions, rather than punishing them.
The typical process involves the court identifying if someone is a good candidate for treatment services, working with the defense attorney to ensure the candidate’s rights are respected, and providing rehabilitation services to the person once they’re in the program. Typically, drug testing is required on a regular basis in these programs.
Depending on where you live in Missouri, you may also have the opportunity to take part in DWI court, family treatment court, and/or juvenile court. These also offer alternatives to prison and the traditional court process, however, not every city has them available. Contact a drug crime lawyer to learn about what you have access to in East Side KC, MO.
Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
Drug cases are complex. The way laws regulate drug usage don’t always take the realities of addiction into account. But you can find help. Below, you can review some resources for assistance with both the addiction layer and the legal layer:
Substance Abuse Assistance Resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA is an official government organization that offers support options for people fighting addiction. They also feature FindTreatment.gov, which can assist in the process of finding help.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA offers information regarding commonly abused substances, news in the space, and conducts research trials into new potential treatment options.
Missouri Treatment Court Reports
This Missouri government resource can help you get an idea of where the nearest treatment courts are to you, and includes additional resources for finding a treatment court option.
Missouri Drug Charges Legal Resources
Missouri Drug Laws Index
Because the statutes as written can be convoluted and hard to understand, we’ve rewritten several key drug statutes in plain English for you to review.
Missouri Legal FAQs
Our legal FAQs provide answers to many of Missouri’s most common legal defense questions.
Legal Glossary
Our legal glossary gives definitions for court and legal terms. This is particularly helpful if you’re being sent court documents that you’re unfamiliar with.
Substance abuse and related criminal charges can be devestating. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options that help you start over.
Your Freedom Is at Stake. Work With a Dominant East Side KC, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you work with us, you’re working with a proven East Side KC, MO, drug crime lawyer who takes your case seriously. We are ready to let you know how we can help and will build a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Over 80 years of combined legal experience
- Wide-spread criminal defense resources
- Availability around the clock
- Over 500 five star reviews
Get in touch with our team at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to connect with a drug crime lawyer today.
