Drug Crime Lawyer in Smithville, MO. Even just “simple possession” of an illegal substance can land you in prison. in particularly serious cases, you could face manufacturing allegations, and up to life in prison. Without the help of a proven Smithville, MO, criminal defense attorney, you could lose access to potential deals and avenues.
Combs Waterkotte is here to help you avoid that fate. Our team of legal experts is ready to defend against any drug charge in Smithville, MO, and a team that is available around the clock if you have any questions or need any help.
If you need an experienced Smithville, MO, drug crime lawyer, it’s easy to get a hold of us. You can talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a no-obligation review of your charges.
Smithville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Overview
Below, we overview what a drug crime lawyer in Smithville, MO, does to protect you, the differences between criminal substance allegations in Missouri, the things you should look for in your drug crimes defense lawyer, and resources available to help people facing drug charges in Smithville, MO.
You can navigate to a specific section using the links below:
- How a Smithville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Protects You
- Smithville, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Penalties
- What You Need in a Smithville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
- Treatment and Diversion Programs for Smithville, MO, Drug Charges
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Talk to a Drug Crime Lawyer in Smithville, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
How a Smithville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Fights for You
When you call an expert Smithville, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, you get help in your case right away. Wherever you are in the judicial process, it’s imperative to work with an attorney who will fight for your rights and won’t back down.
When you work with our firm, you can expect your drug crime lawyer to do the following:
- Listen to Your Story: This is your case, and your well-being should be at the center of it. We’re dedicated to treating you like a person, not a case number.
- Protect You During Interrogations: No matter what, whether or not you broke the law, the consequences of trying to navigate an interrogation on your own are dire.
- Argue for Pretrial Release: Bail is not guaranteed for all crimes in Smithville, MO, and getting it depends on certain subjective factors. Our team will fight for your freedom and a low bail amount.
- Design a Defense Strategy: Based on the specifics of your case, we’ll work together to come up with a powerful defense strategy to fight the prosecution.
- 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.
- Defend You in Front of a Jury: Not every case ends with a plea deal. If you choose to go to trial, our trial-ready team of drug crime lawyers will defend you in court.
- Represent You for Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: After a trial, you may have the option for sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. We don’t stop after the verdict. If you still need help, we’re still available to offer it.
Powerful 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, many times, you can’t be held liable for your actions. Drug charges can often center around intent, because you can face criminal accusations if someone with you was using an illegal substance, even if you didn’t touch it. For example, if someone hid drugs in your house without your knowledge, you can argue that you did not have intent to use them, and because of that, are innocent.
Mistaken Substance Analysis
Before you can be convicted, the state needs to show that the substance in question was, in fact, illegal. If there was an error in the scientific analysis used to identify it, we’ll highlight that and have the evidence removed.
Illegal Search and Seizure
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 Smithville, MO, drug crime lawyer can help you determine if your rights were violated or not.
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. If you wouldn’t have broken the law otherwise, we can use this to defend against the charges.
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” don’t apply.
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 it is now legal in Missouri, adults over 21 cannot carry more than 3oz of marijuana at a time. If you only had 3oz on you, but a police officer’s scale malfunctioned, 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, prostitution, and certain kinds of gambling.
Smithville, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Penalties
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in Smithville, MO, that isn’t serious. We’ve outlined some of the most common types of charges below, along with their penalties:
| Drug Charge Category | Description | Minimum Possible Penalty | Maximum Possible Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Possession | Holding or controlling a drug | Class D Misdemeanor | Class D Felony |
| Drug Distribution | Selling or trying to sell a drug | Class E Felony | Class C Felony |
| Drug Trafficking | Possessing or crossing state borders, into Missouri, with large quantities of drugs | Class C Felony | Class A Felony |
| Drug Manufacturing | Growing, mixing, or otherwise making drugs | Class E Felony | Class A Felony |
| DWI With Drugs | Driving while under the influence of drugs | Class B Misdemeanor | Class A Felony (multiple prior offenses) |
| Juvenile Drug Crimes | Any drug charges where the alleged offender was younger than 18 | Varies | Varies |
As you probably noticed, most of these allegations can be charged as a felony. To defend yourself against years behind bars, it’s vital to work with an experienced felony drug crime lawyer to protect your freedom.
Federal Drug Charges in Smithville, 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 with the strength to take on the United States Government as soon as possible.
Essential Qualities in a Smithville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
A Smithville, MO, drug crimes attorney with skill and knowledge is essential to help you win your case. If you’re trying to pick a a lawyer, look for someone with the following:
- Practice fighting cases in Smithville, MO
- Care for how you’re doing
- Upfront and clear payment structures
- Knowledge of your specific charges
- A history of positive outcomes for clients
Combs Waterkotte checks off all the boxes for a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We are committed to your case and will always be honest with you about it.
Treatment and Diversion Programs for Smithville, MO, Drug Charges
If you’re facing drug charges in Smithville, MO, you might be imagining a trial in front of a judge and jury. With help, though, you might be able to take another route. Your drug crime lawyer advise you on special courts and diversionary programs that can keep you out of prison.
While the state of Missouri has many drug treatment courts, most defendants will try to use adult treatment court. These courts were made to help people with substance use disorders fight against addiction, rather than facing typical criminal charges.
If you want to participate in a treatment court, your attorney will need to work with the state to arrange for it. Your lawyer will explain why you are a good candidate for treatment court, and you’ll get access to rehabilitation services while in the program. Regular testing is required to ensure participants remain drug-free.
Some other types of treatment courts in Missouri include DWI court, family treatment court, and/or juvenile court. These offer some of the same benefits, however, not every city has them available. Talk to a drug crime lawyer to see what you have access to in Smithville, 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 you can find help. Below, you can access some resources for assistance with both drug addiction and legal complexities:
- 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 which can give you another chance.
Your Freedom Is at Stake. Work With a Premier Smithville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you partner with our team, you’re working with a proven Smithville, MO, drug crime lawyer who is dedicated to fighting on your behalf. We are ready to take any kind of case now and will craft a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Over 80 years of combined legal experience
- Extensive criminal defense resources
- Availability around the clock
- A reputation for success
Call one of our representatives at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to speak with a drug crime lawyer today.
