Drug Crime Lawyer in Platte Woods, MO. If someone makes drug-related allegations against you, you could be up against life-altering consequences. in particularly serious cases, you could face manufacturing allegations, and up to life in prison. If you don’t have a proven Platte Woods, MO, criminal defense attorney, you’ll be in a tough battle against the state prosecutor.
Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to ensuring our clients get fair, expert legal advice. When you work with us, you get a lawyer who is ready to defend against any drug charge in Platte Woods, MO, and won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
If you need an experienced Platte Woods, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re just a call away. You can reach us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a no strings attached case review.
Platte Woods, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Overview
In this article, we describe the different steps a drug crime lawyer in Platte Woods, MO, takes during a case, Missouri’s illegal substance related laws and consequences, the things you should look for in your drug crimes defense lawyer, and resources available to help people facing drug charges in Platte Woods, MO.
You can navigate to a specific section using the links below:
- How a Platte Woods, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Protects You
- Potential Consequences for Different Drug Charges in Platte Woods, MO
- Qualities to Look For in Your Platte Woods, MO Drug Crime Lawyer
- Alternatives to Court for Platte Woods, MO, Drug Charges
- Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
- Talk to a Drug Crime Lawyer in Platte Woods, MO, Today
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How a Platte Woods, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Fights for You
When you contact an experienced Platte Woods, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. Wherever you are in the judicial process, you need to work with an attorney who will protect justice and defend your freedom.
Each of our team members is dedicated to giving you the best experience and legal representation possible. Here’s how we do it:
- Learn Your Story: This is your case, and your well-being should be at the center of it. We will treat you right and keep you informed through the process.
- Protect You During Interrogations: No matter what, regardless of the circumstances, having a lawyer in the room with you can protect you from negative outcomes.
- Argue for Bail: Not everyone accused of a crime in Platte Woods, MO, is given bail; getting it depends on certain subjective factors. A lawyer can help you ensure that you receive bail, and lower the cost to something reasonable.
- Design a Staunch Defense: Based on the specifics of your case, we’ll work together to come up with a powerful defense strategy to fight the prosecution.
- Negotiate With the State: Plea bargains can be a powerful strategy to find a positive outcome for your case, without the high risk of a trial.
- Fight the State at Trial: 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: After a trial, you might go through sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. Our lawyers can stay by your side and help you explore further options.
Effective Drug Crime Defense Strategies
A leading drug crimes defense attorney should have a variety of defenses to choose from for your case. 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 be accused just for being near a controlled substance, even if you’re not guilty of using it. 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.
Substance Analysis Errors
If the prosecution wants to convict you, the state needs to prove what that substance was. If something is wrong with the way the tests were conducted, we’ll highlight that and have the evidence removed.
Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you against unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement. This means that police cannot search you for evidence with either a warrant or probable cause. Your Platte Woods, MO, drug crime lawyer can cast doubt on whether their reasoning did, in fact, qualify as probable cause.
Entrapment
Similar to above, law enforcement has more rules on what they are allowed to do during investigations. They can observe people breaking the law and then arrest them, but if they go too far in encouraging someone to break the law, this is called entrapment. By claiming entrapment, we can successfully argue for many drug charges to be dropped or dismissed.
Drug possession defenses are different from those for some other types of accusations, namely, violent crimes. This is because many are vice crimes, so strategies like “self-defense” won’t work.
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 4oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you did not violate the law.
Vice Crimes Definition: Vice crimes refer to a category of actions that are illegal, but committing them typically does not harm anyone other than the alleged offender. Common examples include using drugs, prostitution, and certain kinds of gambling.
Drug Allegations We Fight in Platte Woods, MO
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in Platte Woods, MO, that isn’t serious. We’ve outlined some of the most common types of charges below, along with their penalties:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is probably the most common drug-related charge in Platte Woods, MO. You can be convicted of drug possession if you have an illegal substance, either on your person or located elsewhere.
Drug Possession Penalty: For controlled substances other than Marijuana, possession is a class D felony, with up to seven years in prison if convicted (Marijuana possession is treated less harshly, and is either a class A or class D misdemeanor).
Drug Distribution
Drug distribution is normally treated more seriously than simple possession. Distribution covers cases where there was any intention to sell a controlled substance, whether or not it was followed through upon.
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 refers to when someone is accused of possessing, purchasing, or bringing into Missouri a large amount of an illegal substance.
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 charges in Platte Woods, MO, are what you probably expect: cases where a person supposedly made an illegal drug.
Drug Manufacturing Penalty: Different drug manufacturing cases can face different penalties, depending on the type and quantity produced. 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 similar to an alcohol DWI: If you were driving while affected by any drugs (even legal ones) that make it unsafe to be on the road, you can face drug DWI accusations.
DWI with Drugs Penalty: Previous DWIs can increase the penalties for subsequent DWI convictions. If this is your first conviction, the penalty is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail). Additionally, 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: The potential penalties are the same as for adults, but the defense strategies are different. Your juvenile drug crime lawyer can help you explore what youth diversionary options are available in Platte Woods, MO.
As you probably noticed, several of the above allegations carry felony consequences if convicted. If you want to avoid lifelong consequences, it’s critical to work with an experienced felony drug crime lawyer to build your defense.
Federal Drug Charges in Platte Woods, 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, can be prosecuted by the federal government. If you are facing federal charges, contact a proven federal drug charges lawyer who can take on the United States Government as soon as possible.
What You Need in a Platte Woods, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
A Platte Woods, MO, drug crimes attorney with skill and knowledge is essential to help you win your case. An ideal candidate will have:
- Experience in Platte Woods, MO, courtrooms
- Care for how you’re doing
- Upfront and open payment structures
- Plans on how to defend against your charges
- Experience working with the state and insights into their strategies
Combs Waterkotte meets all of the criteria for a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We are committed to your case and will always be honest with you about it.
Missouri’s Drug Treatment and Diversion Programs
A trial or a plea deal are the two main ways criminal cases are resolved. But there are more options. Your drug crime lawyer advise you on special courts and diversionary programs that can offer you alternatives.
While Missouri offers many 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. As a part of participation, candidates will agree to regular testing to ensure they do not take any illegal substances.
Adult treatment court isn’t the only option in Missouri. The state also offers 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. Talk to a drug crime lawyer to learn about what you have access to in Platte Woods, MO.
Getting Help: Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
Drug cases are complicated. The way laws regulate drug usage don’t always take the realities of addiction into account. But there are ways to find help. Below, we’ve listed some resources for assistance with both the addiction layer and the legal layer:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Missouri Treatment Court Reports
- Missouri Drug Laws Index
- Missouri Legal FAQs
- Legal Glossary
- General Missouri Criminal Defense Resources
Facing drug charges can turn your life upside down. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options to get back on your feet and move forward.
Your Freedom Is at Stake. Work With a Dominant Platte Woods, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you work with us, you’re working with a proven Platte Woods, MO, drug crime lawyer who knows what it takes to win. We are ready to hear from you and will craft a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Over 80 years of combined legal experience
- Expert criminal defense resources
- Two former prosecutors who understand how the state thinks
- Over 500 five star reviews
Call us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to talk to a drug crime lawyer now.
