Drug Crime Lawyer in Freeman, MO. If someone makes drug-related allegations against you, you could be up against life-altering consequences. What’s worse, you could face elevated charges of distribution or trafficking. Without the help of a knowledgeable Freeman, MO, criminal defense attorney, you could lose access to potential deals and avenues.
Combs Waterkotte has handled over 10,000 cases, many just like yours. Your attorney from our team is ready to defend against any drug charge in Freeman, MO, and won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
If you need an experienced Freeman, 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.
Freeman, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
In this post, we overview what a drug crime lawyer in Freeman, MO, does to protect you, the different drug charges you can face in Missouri, what you need in a drug crimes attorney, and 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:
- How a Freeman, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Protects You
- Freeman, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Penalties
- Freeman, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Essential Qualities
- Treatment and Diversion Programs for Freeman, MO, Drug Charges
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Talk to a Drug Crime Lawyer in Freeman, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
How a Freeman, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Fights for You
When you call an expert Freeman, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, you get help in your case right away. No matter what stage your case is in, you need to work with a team that will fight for justice and defend your freedom.
When you work with our firm, you can expect your drug crime lawyer to do the following:
- Listen to 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.
- Protect You During Interrogations: No matter what, regardless of the circumstances, you need an attorney by your side to ensure that your rights are being protected.
- Argue for Bail: If you’re facing drug charges in Freeman, MO, you may or may not get bail; getting it depends on certain subjective factors. We will argue that you deserve pretrial release and a reasonable bail amount.
- Craft a Powerful 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: The prosecutors know that we build every defense as if we’re going to trial, so they’re more willing to work with us to explore plea options.
- Defend You at Trial: If the negotiations don’t give us an outcome that you find acceptable, our trial-ready team of drug crime lawyers will present your defense in court.
- Represent You for Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: After a trial, you may have the option for sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. We won’t give up until you get justice.
Effective Strategies Our Lawyers Use Against Drug Charges
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 often can be found innocent. Intentions are critical in drug crime cases. In the wrong circumstances, you can face criminal accusations if someone with you was using an illegal substance, even if you’re not guilty of using it. 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 correctly identify the substance as something illegal to use or make. If there was an error in the scientific analysis used to identify it, we will counter it, show the flaws, and have the evidence suppressed.
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 Freeman, MO, drug crime lawyer can question the legitimacy of these warrants and probable cause inferences.
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 require specialized expertise, because not every type of criminal defense strategy will work for them. 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 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 a police officer’s scale malfunctioned, and it showed 4oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you were actually innocent.
Vice Crimes Definition: Vice crimes are actions that are illegal and socially unacceptable, but generally don’t hurt other people. Common examples include using drugs, prostitution, and certain kinds of gambling.
Common Drug Charges in Freeman, MO
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in Freeman, MO, that isn’t serious. Below, you can read about some typical charges, and what legal consequences you could face if convicted:
| 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 | Giving out or selling a drug | Class E Felony | Class C Felony |
| Drug Trafficking | Owning 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 affected by drugs | Class B Misdemeanor | Class A Felony (multiple prior offenses) |
| Juvenile Drug Crimes | Any of the above 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 protect yourself from lifelong consequences, it’s essential to work with an expert felony drug crime lawyer to build your defense.
Federal Drug Charges in Freeman, MO
In addition to state charges, there’s another thing to be aware of: Federal charges. For major drug trafficking allegations or transport of illegal substances across state lines, the federal government may decide to prosecute the case. 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.
Essential Qualities in a Freeman, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
A Freeman, MO, drug crimes attorney with skill and knowledge is essential to help you win your case. An ideal candidate will have:
- Practice fighting cases in Freeman, MO
- Care for how you’re doing
- Upfront and understandable payment structures
- Knowledge of your specific charges
- A track record of success
Combs Waterkotte offers everything you need in a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We’re here to help and will battle for your freedom.
Treatment and Diversion Programs for Freeman, MO, Drug Charges
If you’re facing drug charges in Freeman, MO, you might be imagining a trial in front of a judge and jury. However, there is another way. 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, adult treatment courts are the most widely available. 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.
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 offer some of the same benefits, though they are not as widely available. Talk to a drug crime lawyer to see what you have access to in Freeman, MO.
Getting Help: Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
Drug cases are complex. The interactions between law and addiction don’t always make sense. But there are ways to find help. Below, you can review some resources for assistance with both substance abuse and legal complexities:
Substance Abuse Assistance Resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA is an official government organization which focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of people within the United States. They also feature FindTreatment.gov, which offers confidential and anonymous assistance with getting 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 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 Missouri law isn’t always written in a straightforward manner, 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 many of Missouri’s most common legal defense questions.
Legal Glossary
Our legal glossary can help you understand the meanings behind different legal terms. This is particularly helpful if you’re being sent court documents that you’re unfamiliar with.
The consequences of a drug charge are a big deal. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options that help you start over.
Your Freedom Is at Stake. Work With a Premier Freeman, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you partner with our team, you’re working with a proven Freeman, MO, drug crime lawyer who is dedicated to fighting on your behalf. We are ready to let you know how we can help and will give you a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Saved clients from over 1 million days in jail
- Expert 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 use our online contact form to connect with a drug crime lawyer today.
