Drug Crime Lawyer in Weston, MO. Being caught with drugs can send you to jail, even if you weren’t using them. in particularly serious cases, you could be charged with drug dealing instead of just possession. Without the help of a premier Weston, MO, criminal defense attorney, you’ll be in a tough battle against the state prosecutor.
Combs Waterkotte has handled over 10,000 cases, many just like yours. When you work with us, you get a lawyer who is ready to defend against any drug charge in Weston, MO, and will help you find the best outcome possible for your case.
If you need an experienced Weston, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re ready to talk to you today. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a no-obligation review of your charges.
Weston, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
Below, we describe the different steps a drug crime lawyer in Weston, MO, takes during a case, the differences between criminal substance allegations in Missouri, the things you should look for in your drug crimes defense lawyer, and resources which can help with fighting substance abuse and/or navigating legal complications.
You can navigate to a specific section using the links below:
- The Role of a Weston, MO, Drug Crime Defense Attorney
- Weston, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Penalties
- Weston, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Essential Qualities
- Treatment and Diversion Programs for Weston, MO, Drug Charges
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Connect With a Drug Crime Lawyer in Weston, MO, Today
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The Role of a Weston, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer in Your Case
When you contact an experienced Weston, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, you get help in your case right away. Wherever you are in the judicial process, it’s essential to work with an attorney who will protect justice and won’t back down.
When you work with our firm, you can expect your drug crime lawyer to do the following:
- Let You Tell Your Story: A legal case is about more than just winning or a verdict. We want to know you, and how we can best help.
- Stand By You During Interviews: In every case, regardless of the circumstances, the consequences of trying to navigate an interrogation on your own are dire.
- Fight for Bail: Bail is not guaranteed for all crimes in Weston, MO, and 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 Defense Strategy: There are a number of defensive tactics available to fight drug charges, but not every one is right for your case. We’ll help you pick the most effective option.
- 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 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: Depending on the result of your trial, you might go through sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. Our lawyers can stay by your side and help you explore further options.
Drug Crime Defense Strategies
Each 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 might have an avenue to show your innocence. This is particularly relevant to drug crime cases, where you can face criminal accusations if someone with you was using a controlled substance, even if they weren’t yours. For example, if someone using drug paraphernalia left them on your property, you can argue that you did not have intent, and there for are not guilty of possessing or using them.
Lab Analysis Errors
To be convicted of possession, distributing, or manufacturing an illegal substance, the state needs to prove what that substance was. 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 police need to either have a warrant or probable cause to search your person or property. Your Weston, 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, this allows for other defense strategies that only work against drug charges. 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 something was wrong with the law enforcement’s scale, and it showed 4oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you were actually innocent.
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.
Common Drug Charges in Weston, MO
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in Weston, MO, that isn’t serious. Here are some of the charges we will defend you against:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is probably the most common drug-related charge in Weston, 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 any substances other than 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 there was any form or plan for drug sales.
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 has a wide range of definitions in Missouri, but they are all centered on the transport and distribution of large quantities of controlled substances.
Drug Trafficking Penalty: Depending on the exact charge you face, you could be up against anything from a class C felony to a class A felony (ten years to life in prison).
Drug Manufacturing
Drug manufacturing charges arise when someone allegedly grew, mixed, or otherwise made a controlled substance.
Drug Manufacturing Penalty: Sentences for drug manufacturing can vary based on what the drug was and how much was made. The exact level of felony also depends on other circumstances, such as if someone was hurt or killed in the production process. The sentence can range from a class E felony up to a class A felony.
DWI With Drugs
A DWI with drugs is often treated very much like a DWI with alcohol: If you were driving while affected by any drugs (even legal ones) that could impair your ability to drive, you can face drug DWI accusations.
DWI with Drugs Penalty: These sentences vary depending on your driving history. 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 crimes are more of a category than a specific offense. This includes any charges where the accused is under 18. 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 maximize your chances of exiting the regular legal process and using a Weston, MO, diversionary program.
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 accomplished felony drug crime lawyer to build your defense.
Federal Drug Charges in Weston, 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 to Look For in a Weston, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you pick a drug crime lawyer in Weston, MO, you need a premier option. An ideal candidate will have:
- Practice fighting cases in Weston, MO
- An interest in your well-being, not just your case
- Upfront and clear payment structures
- Familiarity with the statute(s) you’re accused of violating
- A track record of success
Combs Waterkotte checks off all the boxes for a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We’re here to help and will battle for your freedom.
Legal Alternatives: Missouri Drug Charges and Treatment/Diversion Programs
A trial or a plea deal are the two main ways criminal cases are resolved. 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 offer you alternatives.
While Missouri offers several different drug treatment courts, most defendants will try to use adult treatment court. 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.
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. As a part of participation, candidates will agree to regular testing to ensure they do not take any illegal substances.
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. Talk to a drug crime lawyer to learn about what you have access to in Weston, MO.
Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
Drug cases are convoluted. The government’s rules don’t always take real-life circumstances into account. But there are ways forward. Below, you can access 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 in attempts to fight addiction.
Missouri Treatment Court Reports
This Missouri government resource lists out the different state treatment courts, provides maps of where each is available, and includes additional resources for finding a treatment court option.
Missouri Drug Charges Legal Resources
Missouri Drug Laws Index
Because it’s easy to get lost when reading Missouri’s legal code, we’ve rewritten several key drug statutes in plain English to make them easier to understand.
Missouri Legal FAQs
Our legal FAQs provide answers to some of the most common criminal defense questions in Missouri, including for drug crime accusations.
Legal Glossary
Our legal glossary gives definitions for court and legal terms. This can be particularly helpful if you’ve received a letter filled with legal jargon that you’re trying to interpret.
Facing drug charges can turn your life upside down. 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 Weston, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you work with us, you’re working with a proven Weston, MO, drug crime lawyer who takes your case seriously. We are ready to take any kind of case now and will create a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Saved clients from over 1 million days in jail
- Wide-spread criminal defense resources
- Availability around the clock
- A reputation for success
Reach out to us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to talk to a drug crime lawyer now.
