Drug Crime Lawyer Greenwood, MO

Drug Crime Lawyer in Greenwood, MO. If someone makes drug-related allegations against you, you could be up against life-altering consequences. If you’re particularly unlucky, you could face manufacturing allegations, and up to life in prison. If you don’t work with a leading Greenwood, MO, criminal defense attorney, you could lose access to potential deals and avenues.

Combs Waterkotte knows how to fight these cases successfully. Our team of legal experts is ready to defend against any drug charge in Greenwood, MO, and a team that is available around the clock if you have any questions or need any help.

If you need an experienced Greenwood, MO, drug crime lawyer, it’s easy to get a hold of us. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a no-obligation review of your charges.

Greenwood, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary

Below, we overview what a drug crime lawyer in Greenwood, 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 list some resources which can help with fighting substance abuse and/or navigating legal complications.

If there’s a specific topic you want to learn more about, you can jump ahead using the links below:

• The Role of a Greenwood, MO, Drug Crime Defense Attorney
• Different Drug Charge Categories in Greenwood, MO
• Greenwood, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Essential Qualities
• Treatment and Diversion Programs for Greenwood, MO, Drug Charges
• Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
• Talk to a Drug Crime Lawyer in Greenwood, MO, Today

What a Greenwood, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does

When you call an expert Greenwood, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. No matter what stage your case is in, you need to have an attorney on your side to fight for justice and defend your freedom.

When you work with our firm, you can expect your drug crime lawyer to do the following:

1. Let You Tell Your Story: A legal case is about more than just winning or a verdict. We’re dedicated to treating you like a person, not a case number.
2. Guide You Through Police Interviews: In every case, even if you’re innocent, the consequences of trying to navigate an interrogation on your own are dire.
3. Fight for Bail: Bail is not guaranteed for all crimes in Greenwood, MO, and getting it depends on certain subjective factors. Our team will fight for your freedom and a low bail amount.
4. Design a Powerful 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.
5. Explore Plea Deal Options: Plea bargains can be a powerful strategy to find a positive outcome for your case, without the high risk of a trial.
6. 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 represent you in court.
7. 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.

Strong Strategies Our Lawyers Use Against Drug Charges

There are many tactics that we can use when fighting drug charges. Below are some of the common strategies that your Greenwood, 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 an illegal substance, even if you didn’t touch it. For example, if there were drugs in your vehicle but they weren’t yours, you can argue that you did not have intent to use them, and because of that, are innocent.

Lab Analysis Errors
Before you can be convicted, the state needs to correctly identify the substance as something illegal to use or make. If the evidence chain of custody was broken, or the lab made a mistake in the analysis, we will counter it, show the flaws, and have the evidence suppressed.

Illegal Search and Seizure
Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you against unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement. This means that law enforcement officers need to either have a warrant or probable cause to search your person or property. Your Greenwood, 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. If you were a victim of entrapment, that can be grounds for a dismissal of your charges.

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 3.5oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you were actually innocent.

Common Drug Charges in Greenwood, MO

You can face a variety of different drug accusations in Greenwood, MO, and it’s important to work with a reputable drug crime lawyer for any of them. 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 Greenwood, 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 besides 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 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 charges most often apply in cases with a large quantity of illegal substances. Trafficking is mostly centered around transporting drugs into Missouri, but even just possessing enough can lead to trafficking charges.

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 refers to situations where someone produced an illegal drug.

Drug Manufacturing Penalty: Sentences for drug manufacturing can vary based on what the drug was and how much was made. Additional prison time can be added in special cases, for example, if the drugs were allegedly made near a school. 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 be accused of a DWI with drugs.

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 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 Greenwood, MO, diversionary program.

Federal Drug Charges in Greenwood, MO

In cases where the federal government has decided to take over, building a strong defense is even more important. Federal prosecutors are often even tougher than state prosecutors, and frequently have higher conviction rates. If you are facing federal charges, contact a proven federal drug charges lawyer who can take on the United States Government right away.

Essential Qualities in a Greenwood, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer

When you pick a drug crime lawyer in Greenwood, MO, you need a premier option. An ideal candidate will have:

• Practice fighting cases in Greenwood, MO
• Compassion for your situation and well-being
• Fair and open payment structures
• Plans on how to defend against your charges
• A history of positive outcomes for clients

Combs Waterkotte offers everything you need in 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 Greenwood, 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 can help you explore special courts and diversionary programs that can offer you alternatives.

While the state of Missouri has 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.

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 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 Greenwood, MO.

Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations

Drug cases are complex. The way laws regulate drug usage don’t always take the realities of addiction into account. But there are ways forward. Below, you can review 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

Substance abuse and related criminal charges can be devestating. 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 Dominant Greenwood, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer

When you work with us, you’re working with a proven Greenwood, MO, drug crime lawyer who takes your case seriously. 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:

• Successfully handled over 10,000 cases
• Extensive criminal defense resources
• A client-centered approach
• A reputation for success

Call one of our team members at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to talk to a drug crime lawyer today.