Drug Crime Lawyer in Edgerton, MO. Even just “simple possession” of an illegal substance can land you in prison. What’s worse, you could face elevated charges of distribution or trafficking. Without the help of a leading Edgerton, MO, criminal defense attorney, you could face years behind bars.
Combs Waterkotte knows how to fight these cases successfully. Our team of legal experts is ready to defend against any drug charge in Edgerton, MO, and will help you find the best outcome possible for your case.
If you need an expert Edgerton, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re just a call away. You can talk to us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note on line for a free, confidential consultation.
Edgerton, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Overview
Below, we describe the different steps a drug crime lawyer in Edgerton, MO, takes during a case, the different drug charges you can face in Missouri, the top qualities to look for when deciding on a drug defense attorney, and list some resources which can help with fighting substance abuse and/or navigating legal complications.
The links below let you skip ahead to a particular topic, if you want to learn more about a particular area:
- What a Edgerton, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
- Edgerton, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Penalties
- Edgerton, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Essential Qualities
- Alternatives to Court for Edgerton, MO, Drug Charges
- Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
- Connect With a Drug Crime Lawyer in Edgerton, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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What a Edgerton, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
When you call an expert Edgerton, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. Regardless of the particulars, you need to work with an attorney who will fight for 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’re dedicated to treating you like a person, not a case number.
- 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 Pretrial Release: Bail is not guaranteed for all crimes in Edgerton, MO, and getting it depends on certain subjective factors. Our team will fight for your freedom and a low bail amount.
- Design a Powerful 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 negotiate with the prosecution to see if we can have your charges dropped or dismissed.
- Defend You 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: Depending on the result of your trial, you might go through 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
There are many tactics that we can use when fighting drug charges. Below are some of the common strategies that your Edgerton, MO, drug crime lawyer should consider:
Lack of Intent
If you didn’t mean to break the law, you might have an avenue to show your innocence. Drug charges can often center around intent, because you can be accused if someone with you was using a controlled 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, and there for are not guilty of possessing or using them.
Substance Analysis Errors
Before you can be convicted, the state needs to correctly identify the substance as something illegal to use or make. If something is wrong with the way the tests were conducted, we’ll highlight that and have the evidence removed.
Illegal Search and Seizure
Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you against unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement. This means that police need to either have a warrant or probable cause to search your person or property. Your Edgerton, 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 were a victim of entrapment, that can be grounds for a dismissal of your 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, this allows for other defense strategies that only work against drug charges. 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 3.5oz, 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.
Common Drug Charges in Edgerton, MO
You can face a variety of different drug accusations in Edgerton, MO, and it’s important to work with a reputable drug crime lawyer for any of them. 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 Edgerton, 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, carrying a prison sentence of up to seven years (Marijuana possession can either be 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 charges 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 refers to situations where someone produced an illegal drug.
Drug Manufacturing Penalty: Different drug manufacturing cases can face different penalties, depending on the type and quantity produced. Some other factors, such as if someone was injured in the process, can also elevate the penalties. 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 with drugs in your system (even legal ones) that could impair your 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: The potential penalties are the same as for adults, but the defense strategies are different. Your juvenile drug crime lawyer can help you look into juvenile diversion programs in Edgerton, MO.
As you probably noticed, nearly any drug charge has the potential to be a felony. If you want to avoid years behind bars, it’s vital to work with an experienced felony drug crime lawyer to protect your freedom.
Federal Drug Charges in Edgerton, MO
Beyond state charges, there’s another thing to be aware of: Federal charges. If the alleged crime took place on federal land, or across multiple states, the federal government may decide to prosecute the case. If you are facing federal charges, contact a leading federal drug charges lawyer who can take on the United States Government as soon as possible.
What You Need in a Edgerton, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
Your Edgerton, MO, drug crime lawyer can’t be just anyone. If you want to maximize your chances of a positive outcome, you need someone who has all of the following:
- Established relationships in Edgerton, MO, courtrooms
- Compassion for your situation and well-being
- Fair and open payment structures
- Knowledge of your specific charges
- A track record of success
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
If you’re facing drug charges in Edgerton, MO, you might be imagining a trial in front of a judge and jury. But there are more options. Your drug crime lawyer can help you explore special courts and diversionary programs that can keep you out of jail.
While Missouri offers 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.
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.
Some other types of treatment courts in Missouri include DWI court, family treatment court, and/or juvenile court. These can be equally valuable, though they are not as widely available. Talk to a drug crime lawyer to see what you have access to in Edgerton, MO.
Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
Criminal drug charges are complex. The government’s rules don’t always take real-life circumstances into account. But there are ways to find help. Below, we’ve listed some resources for assistance with both substance abuse 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
Substance abuse and related criminal charges can be devestating. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options to get back on your feet and move forward.
You Need a Skilled Edgerton, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte
When you work with us, you’re working with a proven Edgerton, MO, drug crime lawyer who is dedicated to fighting on your behalf. We are ready to hear from you and will build a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Successfully handled over 10,000 cases
- Extensive criminal defense resources
- Two former prosecutors who understand how the state thinks
- Over 500 five star reviews
Get in touch with our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to connect with a drug crime lawyer today.
